Dysphagia Treatment in Kansas City

Help for
Swallowing Difficulties

Helping patients and families find answers, support, and effective treatment.

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When Feeding Becomes a Challenge

Eating, drinking, and swallowing are activities most of us rarely think about—until they become difficult. Dysphagia, or a swallowing disorder, can make mealtimes stressful, uncomfortable, and even unsafe for both patients and caregivers.

Compassionate Support Starts Here

At Midwest Oral and Craniofacial Specialists, we understand how feeding and swallowing difficulties can affect daily life, growth, nutrition, and confidence. Our team works closely with patients and families to identify the cause of these challenges and develop personalized treatment plans that help make eating safer and more comfortable.

Common Signs & Symptoms

Feeding and swallowing issues can look different depending on a patient’s age, diagnosis, and overall health.

Difficulty Swallowing

Food, liquids, or medications may feel difficult to swallow or seem to get stuck during meals.

Coughing or Choking

Frequent coughing, choking, or gagging while eating or drinking may indicate a swallowing concern.

Feeding Difficulties

Infants and children may struggle with breastfeeding, bottle feeding, chewing, or transitioning to new food textures.

Poor Growth or Nutrition

Difficulty consuming enough calories and nutrients can affect weight gain, growth, and overall health.

Signs It’s Time to Seek Help

Early evaluation can help prevent complications and improve quality of life.

Long Mealtimes

Meals consistently take much longer than expected because eating feels difficult or tiring.

Food Avoidance

Avoiding certain textures, foods, or entire meals due to discomfort or fear of choking.

Weight Gain Concerns

Difficulty maintaining healthy growth, nutrition, or hydration.

Frequent Choking

Regular coughing, gagging, or choking episodes during eating or drinking.

Related Medical Conditions

Swallowing difficulties associated with cleft lip and palate, craniofacial disorders, neurological conditions, or developmental delays.

Feeding Frustration

Mealtimes have become stressful for the patient, caregivers, or both.

Talk With Our Experts

Get in touch with our specialists to talk about next steps and treatment options.

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What to Expect

  • 01

    We Listen First

    We begin by discussing symptoms, concerns, medical history, feeding patterns, and treatment goals.

  • 02

    Comprehensive Assessment

    Our specialists evaluate oral function, swallowing abilities, feeding behaviors, and any contributing structural concerns.

  • 03

    Collaborative Review

    When needed, multiple specialists work together to evaluate findings and identify underlying causes.

  • 04

    Personalized Recommendations

    Based on the evaluation, we create a treatment plan tailored to the patient’s unique needs.

  • 05

    Ongoing Support

    We continue to monitor progress and adjust treatment as patients grow and develop.

Explore Available Care Options

Comprehensive surgical care for cleft conditions and complex craniofacial concerns.

Cleft & Craniofacial Surgery

Advanced surgical care for complex oral, jaw, and facial conditions.

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

Corrective jaw surgery to improve alignment, function, facial balance, and comfort.

Orthognathic Surgery

Find the Care You Need

Navigate your next steps with confidence and personalized recommendations.

Find the Right Care Path

Meet Our Craniofacial Specialists

Meet the Team
Meet the Doctor

Patrick Christopher

DDS, MD

Pediatric Cleft & Craniofacial Surgeon

Meet the Doctor

Dr. Robert O. Weiss II

MD, DDS.

Pediatric Cleft & Craniofacial Surgeon

We Are on Every Insurance Plan

We know that accessible craniofacial care is important.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our Patients Are Our Why

  • Our family and friends have asked us if we’re nervous for surgeries and our response has always been no. We genuinely feel like we’re sending our child back to two goofy uncles who just so happen to be highly skilled..."

    - Kross R.

    Our family and friends have asked us if we’re nervous for surgeries and our response has always been no. We genuinely feel like we’re sending our child back to two goofy uncles who just so happen to be highly skilled cleft surgeons. From the front desk to the surgeons, they’re all incredibly personable. They remember our names and our story. They don’t leave you hanging. They check in regularly even between appointments and surgeries. They don’t just provide care. They actually care.

    - Kross R.

  • We cannot say enough amazing things about the amazing team that has been built within Midwest Cleft and Craniofacial Specialists. It truly is a TEAM of people who have come together to best help support families in one of the..."

    - Briggs F.

    We cannot say enough amazing things about the amazing team that has been built within Midwest Cleft and Craniofacial Specialists. It truly is a TEAM of people who have come together to best help support families in one of the scariest/unknown times of their lives and continue to be a part of our lives even after the “hard part”. It is truly amazing to me to think that Dr. Christopher, Dr. Weiss, and Rachel our team SLP have all been with us essentially since Briggs’ birthday three years ago! Feeding a baby with PRS and a cleft palate is not an easy feat and Rachel and the NICU SLP’s worked with us teaching and learning alongside us as we figured out the best feeding system, positions, etc. with Briggs. Now as he is older they have helped monitor and guide his Speech and Language development and helped advocate for him as we transition to an Early Childhood Education Program.

    - Briggs F.

  • Our overall experience with the Midwest Cleft & Craniofacial Specialists team as being like family. They truly make you feel understood and involved in all aspects of the team and care. I couldn’t believe it when Dr. Weiss handed me..."

    - Rayne

    Our overall experience with the Midwest Cleft & Craniofacial Specialists team as being like family. They truly make you feel understood and involved in all aspects of the team and care. I couldn’t believe it when Dr. Weiss handed me his personal phone number. He was contacting me consistently after her surgery and made sure she was doing well. He checks in with us consistently and has even attended her Elementary Schools Career Day and provided so much insightful information about what he does to so many students. It is truly like being part of a family. You can see the passion he puts into his career and how much it shines. I couldn’t imagine my daughter having any other surgeon at this point.

    - Rayne

Compassionate Care for Complex Needs

Helping patients and families find trusted care with confidence and support.

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