LAS VEGAS — Families in Southern Nevada seeking care for children born with cleft palates and other craniofacial conditions now have a local resource, following the opening of UNLV’s Advanced Needs Dental Center.
The clinic, located at 1700 West Charleston Boulevard, was renovated from an existing dental school facility and replaces a clinic that closed during the coronavirus pandemic due to lack of state funding. Federal grants and $1.3 million allocated through Nevada’s Senate Bill 280 helped finance the project.
The first patients were treated this month, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Wednesday with UNLV School of Dental Medicine Dean James Mah and other officials in attendance.
Before the pandemic closure, hundreds of families faced long waiting lists for cleft palate and craniofacial care. Mah said the clinic is now working to reconnect with these families and raise awareness of its services, which are offered at little or no cost.
“Research shows about 1 in every 1,000 babies is born with cleft lip or palate,” Mah said. “Babies continued to be born during the pandemic. We are reaching out to ensure families know care is available locally.”
Until now, Nevada — along with Alaska — lacked a formal cleft palate and craniofacial care team. Families often traveled to Utah or Los Angeles for treatment, placing emotional and financial strain on households.
The new center also provides dental care for elderly patients, those with intellectual or developmental disabilities, individuals with sensory needs, and other patients requiring specialized care.
Sen. Rochelle Nguyen, D-Las Vegas, who co-sponsored Senate Bill 280, praised the clinic as a model for collaborative policy-making. “Providing comprehensive care takes a village,” she said.
“This project brought together providers, patient advocates, legislators, higher education leaders, and fiscal analysts to focus on outcomes, access, and accountability.”
Mah encouraged families or caregivers who may benefit from the clinic’s services to contact the UNLV School of Dental Medicine.
