What to expect at your craniofacial appointment

Have questions about what to expect before, during and after your craniofacial appointment? Find answers here with some of our frequently asked questions.

• When should I arrive for my appointment?

  Families should arrive at least 15 minutes prior to their scheduled appointment time.

• How long will my appointment last?

  Team visits take place on Wednesday mornings at 8 a.m. or 10 a.m. The length of the visit depends on the number of specialists you need to see and will last a maximum of two hours.

• What should I bring to my appointment?

  Parents should bring photo ID and insurance cards to the appointment.

• What happens during an appointment?

  The patient will have their medical history reviewed, vital signs taken and photographs and special 3D images completed. After photos, you will be placed in an exam room to be seen by each specialist separately.

  During your visit, each provider will spend approximately 15 - 20 minutes with your family. They will explain their role on the team, evaluate your child and provide their immediate assessment and recommendations. You will be able to ask each provider questions.

  After you have seen all of the providers required for your child’s needs, your visit will end.

• What happens after my appointment?

  After all appointments are completed for the day, the team meets in a conference room and discusses all of the providers’ individual assessments and recommendations for each patient evaluated that day. This allows the specialists to discuss and prioritize the patient’s immediate and long-term needs and coordinate the appropriate timing and sequence of any tests or procedures that are recommended.

  We find that this team discussion is the most valuable component of the team concept, because families will frequently disclose critical pieces of information to only one or two providers that may change the entire treatment course. This is usually because the family forgets to tell some providers certain details or only remembers them later during the visit. Thus, the team format acts like a safety net to make sure the most important information from several visits is known by all providers.

  After the patient’s plan is finalized a summary letter is generated and mailed out to you within two weeks of that visit date. This letter clearly defines the team’s plan for your child for the upcoming year (until the next team visit).

• What do I do if I have questions after my appointment?

  If after receiving the letter there are any questions, our nurses are available by phone to clarify the plan or address any concerns you may have.