The majority of children had non-nutritive sucking habits up until 24 months of age. Both digit and dummy sucking were associated with observed anomalies in the developing dentition, but dummy-sucking habits had the most profound influence on the anterior and posterior occlusions of the children.

Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome (ARS) is a rare, autosomal dominant condition characterized by ocular, craniofacial, dental, and periumbilical abnormalities. Relatively little information exists on this syndrome within the dental literature despite the fact that midface hypoplasia and maxillary hypodontia are classical presenting features of this syndrome. This is a case report of a 7-year-old Caucasian female with ARS who presented with significant ocular and dental anomalies. She was also found to have osteopenia. Her dental condition is described, her immediate treatment is shown, and her long-term treatment needs are discussed.

Cleft affected children in the region did not receive adequate and regular dental care at the appropriate time. In view of the significantly greater risk of dental disease in clefting, particularly in the deciduous dentition, all cleft affected children should be referred for comprehensive and continued preventive dental care from the first year of life.

Alveolar bone grafting appears to have improved radiographic outcomes when compared with the CSAG report following the re-organisation of surgical services for children with cleft lip and/or palate.