Submucous Cleft Palate and Clinical Score of Smyth

A submucous cleft palate is a rare disorder that is often silent. While the mucosa of the palate appears intact, there is an underlying bony defect.

Clues:

(1) presence of a bifid uvula

(2) abnormal X-ray showing a defect in the hard palate

(3) speech problem

(4) dental abnormalities (peg-shaped, hypodontia)

Parameters for clinical score of Smyth:

(1) uvula

(2) soft palate

(3) hard palate

Parameter	Finding	Points
uvula	normal	0
	grooved or incomplete bifid	1
	bifid	2
soft palate	normal	0
	midline groove at rest or during function	2
	translucent midline (zone pellucida)	4
	congenital fistula	6
hard palate	normal	0
	absent posterior nasal spine	3
	palpable small bony notch	6
	palpable and visible bony defect <= posterior third of hard palate	9
	palpable and visible bony defect > posterior third of hard palate	12

total score =

= SUM(point for all parameters)

Interpretation:

• minimum score: 0

• maximum score: 20

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