eng Science and Education Publishing International Journal of Dental Sciences and Research 2333-1259 2017-12-29 5 6 141 145 10.12691/ijdsr-5-6-2 IJDSR2017562 article Abdullah Faraj AlShammari 1 Dalal Habib AlShammary 1 Hasna Rasheed Alshubrmi 1 Ebtsam Abdullah Aledaili 2 Hazza Abdullah Alhobeira 2 Hussain Gadelkarim Ahmed hussaingad1972@yahoo.com 3 College of Dentistry, University of Hail, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) Ministry of Health, University of Hail College of Medicine, University of Hail Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence, incidence and possible etiological risk factors of orofacial cleft in Hail Region, Northern Saudi Arabia. Methodology: This is a retrospective study conducted in Maternity Hospital, Hail, Saudi Arabia. Data of seven years (2011-2017) records of newborn infants were reviewed for the presence of orofacial anomalies (included 27800 files). Results: The overall prevalence rate of orofacial cleft was 1.08 per 1000 births. Out of 30 patients diagnosed with orofacial anomalies, 14(46.7%) were found with cleft palate, 11(36.7%) with bilateral cleft lip and palate, 4(13.3%) with bilateral cleft lip and only one (3.3%) with unilateral cleft lip and palate. Conclusion: The prevalence of orofacial clefts in Northern Saudi Arabia was similar or slightly lower than the higher global reported rates. Cleft palate was the most common type of orofacial cleft in Northern Saudi Arabia. http://pubs.sciepub.com/ijdsr/5/6/2/ijdsr-5-6-2.pdf orofacial cleft cleft palate cleft lip orofacial anomalies Saudi Arabia