Document Type

Capstone

Abstract

Occupational therapy (OT) practitioners have a valuable role in the treatment of tongue and lip ties. The literature revealed that tongue and lip ties are associated with feeding difficulties in infants and children. Common challenges identified are difficulty with latching, reflux, poor weight gain, gagging, choking, difficulty with managing different textures, misalignment of teeth, social difficulty, and frustration for the child and parent. Additionally, surgical correction for tongue and lip ties is controversial because there are no clear guidelines for treatment. Standardized, functional oral motor assessments for diagnosing and treating tongue and lip ties are limited. Research states the most common assessments are the Hazelbaker Assessment Tool for Lingual Frenulum Function (HA TLFF) and Tongue Range of Motion Ratio Lingual-Palatal Suction (TRMR-LPS), however; these assessments are quantitative and do not assess functional oral motor skills. The goal of this capstone was to identify OT's role in the treatment of tongue and lip ties and how the ties affect the pediatric population. The researchers completed a qualitative study involving 11 OT practitioners to identify their knowledge of their role in the treatment of tongue and lip ties. The researchers provided an educational presentation using current evidence-based literature to the sample of OT practitioners. The researchers utilized a pre survey prior to the presentation to assess current knowledge and then a post survey following the presentation to assess knowledge that was learned. The outcome of the research and assessment of practitioner knowledge and treatment of tongue and lip ties indicates there is a need for further education, training, and assessment options for occupational therapy practitioners in the pediatric field for treating tongue and lip ties.

Publication Date

4-17-2023

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