Post an Event (free) | Subscribe 

Good morning.

76.1% of dentists self report that they screen for OSA. We would like to believe that number. Anecdotally, we believe it is closer around the 25% range.

Just like the ADA, we encourage ALL dental offices to screen for sleep disordered breathing in the practice. If you’re subscribed to More than Teeth you most likely do. We are going through some basics today about the screening process.

For your convenience, We’ve designed some screening forms and provided them for FREE below!

Until we hit 100%, we still have a mission!

In Today’s Edition:

• The ABC's of Screening for OSA

• 6 best practices for dental websites

• Industry Events

• Fix Your Employee Turnover Problem!

5-minute read👇

Clinical Corner

🥼Use the clinical corner as your secret weapon to impress your colleagues and patients!

Key Takeaways🔑

Understanding the Importance of Screening for OSA

OSA, marked by disrupted breathing during sleep, is more than just snoring. It's a serious health concern with severe consequences if not diagnosed and treated. Dentists, often interacting with patients, are well-placed to spot OSA signs. A well-trained staff can integrate symptom identification and patient education into your practice.

Initial Screening Process

The first step in screening involves checking for nighttime and daytime symptoms of Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders (SRBD), such as OSA. Symptoms include snoring, observed apneas, gasping during sleep, and excessive daytime sleepiness. In the initial exam, use standardized tools like the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Berlin, and STOP-BANG.

• The Epworth Sleepiness Scale: This tool measures daytime sleepiness and is commonly used, although it's not specific for SRBDs. Often requested by payers, it offers valuable insights into a patient's sleep quality.

• The Berlin Questionnaire: This includes vital questions about hypertension, a notable risk factor for OSA. The correlation between the number of medications for hypertension and OSA risk is also considered.

• The STOP-BANG Questionnaire: A high score on this tool indicates a strong likelihood of moderate to severe OSA, making it a pivotal part of the screening.

Comprehensive Evaluation

We need to do more than ask patients questions. It's crucial to review their medical history, including family history and current medications. Some drugs can impact sleep and breathing, and dentists must be aware of these potential factors.

Dentists should also inspect the patient's mouth and face for signs of issues that may lead to sleep-related breathing disorders, like an underdeveloped maxilla. This evaluation helps gauge the risk of these disorders and decide if further screening is needed. While dentists can't diagnose OSA, they can streamline the process. They might have Home Sleep Tests (HSTs) available or partner with services like Sleeptest.com. This cooperation between dentists and doctors ensures patients receive top-notch care for their sleep-related breathing disorders.

Identifying Red Flags

Certain criteria observed during screening should prompt a referral. These include increased body mass index, witnessed apneas, excessive daytime sleepiness, and the presence of medical comorbidities. Remember, even simple snoring might signal a serious condition.

The Role of Dentists in OSA Screening

Dentists are key in spotting OSA risk factors, though they don't diagnose it. A doctor must confirm OSA, typically after a sleep study. Dentists spot risks and symptoms, then refer patients for further checks.

In sum, screening for OSA in dental settings is essential, not just extra. With proper tools and evaluations, dentists are crucial in early detection of this serious health issue.

Business of Sleep

📈Better businesses = more lives saved!

6 best practices for dental websites

Let’s make sure your website isn’t just sitting pretty – it should be your hardest working tool! Dive into these six smart strategies to boost your website's performance, ensuring it’s not only informative but also a patient magnet.

Go Mobile or Go Home 

Your website needs to be everyone’s best friend, whether they're scrolling on a smartphone or clicking on a desktop. We're talking about responsive design – it’s crucial! With a whopping 70% of web traffic coming from mobile devices, your site needs to load quickly, be easy to navigate, and display text that doesn’t need a magnifying glass.

Make 'Em Click 

Your website has two main groups eyeing it: current patients and potential ones. Your job? Get them to act! Every page should have at least two calls to action – think “Get in touch” buttons or “Schedule an appointment.” Make these as clear and inviting as a welcome mat.

Examples of these “calls to action” include:

• Buttons—Buttons stand out and encourage clicks. The text on a button should be short and clear. For example, “Get in touch” or “Schedule an appointment.”
• Forms—Your website’s contact form or newsletter sign-up form are also calls to action. Encourage visitors to fill them out by clearly explaining the value they’ll receive.
• Phone calls—A phone call to your office is a very valuable action. It’s a chance for your front desk staff to provide great service to both potential and current patients.

All About Contact 

If they want to call you, don’t turn it into a scavenger hunt. Have a contact page loaded with all the essentials – hours, directions, phone numbers. Remember, simplicity is key for your contact form. No one wants to fill out a novel just to ask a question.

SEO: Keep It Simple 

SEO sounds like a beast, but let’s tame it. Ensure each page of your site has a meta title and description, straightforward URLs, and keep those page titles relevant. Avoid playing musical chairs with your URLs – consistency is key to avoid confusing both your patients and search engines.

Focus on the Footer 

That space at the bottom of your website? It’s prime real estate. Use it wisely with links to important pages, your contact details, social media icons, and maybe a newsletter sign-up. It’s like the useful pocket in your favorite bag – small but mighty.

Content is King Your website is a stage – showcase the best of your practice. Upload videos, share patient testimonials, give a virtual tour of your office, or let your team share insights on your blog. This not only keeps visitors glued but helps them feel connected to your practice.

So there you have it – a website that works as hard as you do, drawing in patients, and making their journey from browser to your chair as smooth as possible.

Previous Editions

👉 How Appliance Design Effect Treatment Outcomes

👉 The Most Common Sleep Disorders vs OSA

👉 The Healing Power of Sleep

Something Sweet

🍭Stuff so sweet you might get a cavity..

Industry Events

Have an event you would like to post? (free) [ click here ]

Miscellaneous

😅P.S. … I forgot something

Retaining your team can be tough. If your tired of turnover… fix this!