This study verified and discussed health policies developed for the treatment of cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) in Brazil in the last 16 years. There was the creation of new healthcare policies for CL/P in the country during this period. However in practice, means that allow the integral attention with regionalized and hierarchic organization, still they have not been established.

Cleft lip and palate require in most cases the performance of surgical procedures. During the postoperative periods, there is a greater predisposition to possible episodes by Candida infection. The oral hygiene preventive maneuvers should be strengthened and initiated during infancy.