ABOUT
Associate Professor David Chong is a highly respected and experienced plastic surgeon based in Melbourne, Australia and is now solely seeing patients born with cleft lip and palate.
After the completion of his surgical training in Perth, David spent three years in Dallas and Toronto at the International Craniofacial Institute and The Hospital for Sick Children, working alongside world leaders in facial surgery. David is the immediate Past President of the Australasian Cleft Lip and Palate Association and is actively involved in training cleft surgeons around the world
David has decided to reduce private practice to cleft lip and palate patients only. He is now widely recognised as an expert in the field of cleft surgery and his time is now largely occupied by invited lectures widely and volunteer work in Lower Middle Income Countries.
All other private patients will be referred to Justin Easton.
PROCEDURES
CLEFT
Countless parents around the world have entrusted the repair of their child’s cleft lip or palate to David – confident in his expertise to provide them a chance at a normal life. David has spent many years perfecting his technique in this form of surgery, and approaches every child and their family with warmth and empathy. David is a highly-valued member of the Operation Smile and Mercy Ships surgical teams, and gladly donates his time and expertise to give children and adults from some of the poorest parts of the world the smile and opportunities they deserve.
CLEFT REVISION
Whilst David is world renowned for his cleft work with children, he is equally passionate about refining older cleft repairs to achieve a more natural and less noticeable result. Whether surgery is to address issues of facial appearance or to relieve affected speech, David’s adult patients feel an immense sense of freedom following the procedure.
If you would like to see more before-and-after photos of David’s work, please
make an appointment to see him and discuss what he can do for you.
MEDIA
These videos are a snapshot of David’s work here and around the
world, and show his passion and commitment to his work.
TALITA’S STORY
This video has become a symbol of the incredible work done by Operation Smile around the world. David met Talita in Brazil when she was four years old, and had the privilege of repairing her cleft lip. This heart-warming video made by David captures the moment she sees her new smile for the very first time.
ROYAL CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
Created as part of the ‘Great Care’ series by the Royal Children’s Hospital, this short clip is narrated by David and gives an insight into the reasons he chose his career path, and why he is so passionate about his work with children.
AN ORDINARY MIRACLE
In this time-lapse video made by David, we see the mesmerising progression of two sets of hands in purposeful movements as they agree to effect a change. A rare glimpse into a cleft lip repair from start to finish, this video was short-listed for the Tropfest short film festival.
This recent video shows the important work done by the Mercy Ships and features a 56 year old man named Samba whom David was fortunate enough to meet.