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Happy Labor Day! As we bask in this Labor Day break, let's tip our hats to the hard-working trailblazers of the 1880s. Today isn’t just about end-of-summer vibes—it's a tribute to workers' resilience and rights. Let’s toast to the legacy of hard work! 🎉

In Today’s Edition:

• Screen Time and Your Younger Patients

• OSA Patients Should Avoid Light

• Light’s effect on Melatonin

• 8 Tips With Working With Referring Physicians

5-minute read👇

Clinical Corner

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

🔑Key Takeaways

1/ 📱Little Screens Lead to Big Zzz Problems

What Happened & Why it Matters: The surge in screen media usage among the youth is not just about less playtime outdoors – it's eating into their sleep too. Research has flagged how screen habits, especially near bedtime, are tampering with our youngsters' sleep. The consensus is clear: screens translate to shorter total sleep, delayed sleep onset, and even poorer sleep quality.

Now, consider the context. With an ever-growing digital realm, bedtime stories might soon be more about Instagram than "Goldilocks". The real wake-up call here is the understanding that the implications are broader than just feeling a bit drowsy in a morning math class. Sleep, especially during formative years, is pivotal for cognitive function, mood, and overall health. The screen-sleep connection is more than just a modern inconvenience; it's a health challenge.

Practical Takeaways:

1. The Mechanisms: The relationship between screens and sleep isn't just about wasted time. Think of the psychological stimulation from that action-packed video game or the bright screen light confusing the body's internal clock.

2. Addiction Alarm: It's not just about casual browsing. There's a rise in Internet and video game addiction, especially noted in mental disorders rates. Think it's overblown? The disturbed sleep patterns tied to this addiction suggest otherwise.

3. Protect the Night: Interventions are needed and fast. Leading organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics advocate for screen-free zones in bedrooms and a full 30-minute digital detox before bedtime.

4. Clinician's Role: Dental specialists treating sleep disorders, note that screen habits may be aggravating the problems. Integrating screen-time advice, especially in younger patients, could be an effective part of the treatment jigsaw.

Dentists, as you realign those teeth and airways, remember that our screens might just be playing a sneaky role in sleep disturbances. It's time to shine a (blue) light on it!📲

2/ 🌙 Screen Time vs. Sleep Time

The Study Scoop & Why Dentists Should Care: Ever wondered why sleep feels elusive after late-night screen time? The University of Surrey has answers. Our favorite devices, from iPads to Kindles and iPhones, emit bright, short-wavelength (blue-enriched) light. This blue light disrupts melatonin production and boosts alertness, making sleep harder to achieve. And it’s not just about tired mornings; disrupted sleep is linked to issues including sleep apnea.

Sleep-Saving Takeaways:

1. Blue's Clues: LE devices emit high levels of sleep-disturbing short-wavelength light, regardless of activity—reading or gaming.

2. Shields Up: The study tested two defenses against blue light: orange-tinted “blue-blocking” glasses and a "sleep-aware" app. Both effectively reduced short-wavelength emissions.

3. Night Mode Needed: Future devices should have a bedtime mode. The aim? Shift from blue and green to yellow and red emissions.

Dentists, when addressing sleep issues, consider screen habits. In the battle between blue light and restful sleep, our advice can make a difference!🦷🌌📱

3/ 💡Bright Lights = Hormone Issues?

Overview: Does cozy room light during evening Netflix sessions affect melatonin? Researchers have discovered that typical room lighting in the evening can significantly impact our melatonin production.

Impact: Melatonin, known as the "sleep hormone," is crucial for various functions. The study found that exposure to room light before bedtime delays melatonin production in 99.0% of participants and shortens its duration by about 90 minutes. Moreover, room light during standard sleep hours can suppress melatonin by over 50% in 85% of instances. This isn't just about disrupted sleep. It can also affect body temperature, blood pressure, and blood sugar regulation.

Key Takeaways:

1. Choose Dim: Advise patients to use dim lights (<3 lux) in the evening over regular room lights (<200 lux).

2. The Melatonin Effect: This disruption might have broader health implications. Dental sleep specialists should take note.

3. Share the Knowledge: Inform patients that evening light habits can impact overall health. A switch in lighting might be beneficial.

Shedding light on this issue could significantly influence your patients' health and sleep. 💤🔌🌙

Business of Sleep

📈Better businesses = more lives saved!

The Rise of OSA: Opportunity Knocks for Dental Pros!

Every year, millions of Americans grapple with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). But here's the silver lining: with the spike in OSA, there's a surging demand from medical professionals for dentists skilled in treatments like oral appliance therapy.

Oral Appliance Therapy: The What & How

• Trained Dentists: Administered by dentists trained in dental sleep medicine (DSM), this therapy is a proved game-changer for OSA patients.

• Dentist & Doc Dance: The rhythm goes like this – a physician diagnoses OSA, and if they see fit, they send the patient dancing back to the dentist for this special treatment. From crafting the appliance to the aftercare, the dentist manages it all while keeping the doc in the loop.

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work! 🤝 Collaboration with medical referrers is the cornerstone of a rocking DSM practice. As you start or improve your practice, nurture those referral relationships. Communication shouldn’t just be a one-way street – it’s a two-way highway!

8 Pro-Tips for Nailing Communication with Medical Referrers:

1. Know What You Need: Before diving in, ensure you've got the required info: a referral note and a copy of the sleep study.

2. Preferred Communication Mode?: Ask the doc. Whether it's a secure fax, email, or EHR, use their favored channel.

3. Direct Chat: Aim for a direct convo with the referring doc about the case, be it telemedicine or just a good old phone chat.

4. SOAP It Up!: Your report should follow the SOAP format: Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan. (Need a refresher? Read on!)

5. Details, Details!: Your reports should be precise, capturing the patient’s voice and offering tailored notes.

6. Speak Their Language: Ditch the dental jargon; go for the medical lingo they'll get.

7. Connect with Nurse Care Managers: These guys can be the bridge to seamless communication.

8. Document & Confirm: Always ensure your docs are received and acknowledged by the physician’s office.

Bottom Line: In the realm of OSA treatment, it's not just about the skill but the communication finesse. Tighten those ties with your medical counterparts, and watch your DSM practice soar! 🚀

Something Sweet

🍭Stuff so sweet you might get a cavity..

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Miscellaneous

😅P.S. … I forgot something

Deep dive

Going beyond sleep… Dr. Andrew Huberman discusses how to use light (sunlight, blue light & red light) to optimize health.