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Standardizing screening for OSA may be out of date after reading today’s edition of More Than Teeth!

There is some pretty compelling evidence that men and women express different OSA signs. If you aren’t looking for them… You may not be catching the issue!

In Today’s Edition:

• Gender Differences in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

• Internal Marketing for Practice Growth

• Industry Events

• [Video] Why AHI Is Often Wrong!

5-minute read👇

Clinical Corner

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

Key Takeaways🔑

Gender Differences in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Introduction

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has long been viewed as a male-dominated disorder, but recent studies reveal a high prevalence among women, especially with age. This underdiagnosis in women leads to significant health consequences. Let’s dive into the latest insights and how understanding gender differences can enhance patient care.

Epidemiology: Unmasking the Hidden Prevalence

Despite being underdiagnosed, OSA affects a significant portion of the population. Data show:

• 34% of men and 17% of women aged 30-70 have OSA, with numbers rising to 43% and 28% respectively in those aged 50-70.

• 54% prevalence in African American adults, with men 12% higher than women.

• Up to 50% of women aged 20-70 have OSA, highlighting the need for better screening and awareness.

Pathophysiology: The Role of Hormones and Anatomy

OSA involves upper airway collapse during sleep, influenced by several factors:

• Anatomical Differences: Men typically have longer upper airways, increasing collapsibility.

• Hormonal Impact: Estrogen and progesterone protect against OSA. Post-menopause, women’s risk increases, aligning closer with men’s rates.

• Obesity and Structural Issues: Narrow airways due to obesity or facial structure contribute significantly to OSA.

Clinical Presentation: Recognizing Gender-Specific Symptoms

Women often present atypical symptoms compared to men, complicating diagnosis:

• Common Symptoms in Men: Snoring, gasping, and witnessed apneas.

• Common Symptoms in Women: Mood disturbances, fatigue, headaches, and insomnia.

• These differences often lead to misattribution of symptoms to menopause or other conditions, delaying proper diagnosis and treatment.

Diagnostic Tools: Adapting to Gender Differences

Screening tools must consider gender-specific presentations to improve accuracy:

• Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS): Measures sleepiness but may not correlate well with OSA in women.

• STOP-BANG Questionnaire: Effective but may need adjustment for women to improve sensitivity.

• Polysomnography/HST: The gold standard for diagnosis, though women may show milder symptoms despite significant OSA.

Treatment and Outcomes: Tailoring Approaches

Effective treatment options vary in their suitability and effectiveness:

• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP): Highly effective but requires adherence. Women often have better adherence if symptomatic.

• Mandibular Advancement Devices: Useful for those intolerant to CPAP. Women may respond better due to smaller neck circumference and lower BMI.

• Surgery and Neurostimulation: Options for those unresponsive to other treatments, with emerging data needed on gender-specific outcomes.

Practical Takeaways for Dental Sleep Professionals

1. Screen Diligently: Use gender-adjusted tools and be aware of atypical symptoms in women.

2. Educate Patients: Highlight the importance of addressing sleep disturbances and the specific risks for women.

3. Customize Treatments: Consider individual anatomical and hormonal factors when recommending treatment options.

4. Monitor Compliance: Ensure regular follow-ups to support adherence, especially with CPAP therapy.

Understanding and addressing gender differences in OSA not only improves diagnosis and treatment but also enhances the overall quality of life for your patients. Stay informed, adapt your approach, and ensure every patient receives the care they need.

Conclusion

Gender differences in OSA are critical to understanding and improving patient outcomes. By recognizing these differences and adjusting diagnostic and treatment approaches accordingly, dental sleep professionals can make a significant impact on their patients’ health and well-being.

Geer JH, Hilbert J. Gender Issues in Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Yale J Biol Med. 2021 Sep 30;94(3):487-496. PMID: 34602886; PMCID: PMC8461585.

Business of Sleep

📈Better businesses = more lives saved!

Harnessing Internal Marketing for Growth in Dental Sleep Practices

In the bustling world of dental sleep practices, the focus often gravitates towards attracting new patients through sophisticated advertising campaigns and flashy online promotions. While these strategies are undeniably important, they tend to overshadow an equally potent growth driver: internal marketing. Internal marketing isn't just a buzzword; it’s a powerful, often underutilized tool that can transform your existing patient base into a loyal army of advocates and repeat customers. Let’s dive into how leveraging internal marketing can not only enhance patient retention but also supercharge your practice’s growth.

The Financial Upside of Internal Marketing

Advertising to new patients is crucial, but it’s also expensive. According to a study by Bain & Company, acquiring a new customer can be five to seven times more costly than retaining an existing one. This stark financial reality underscores the importance of internal marketing. By shifting some focus to your current patients, you can reduce acquisition costs and boost your return on investment.

A loyal patient is a goldmine of potential. Not only are they more likely to continue purchasing services, but they are also your best source of referrals. Nielsen reports that people are four times more likely to buy when referred by a friend. Imagine the ripple effect this could have on your practice’s growth trajectory.

Creating an Exceptional Patient Experience

The cornerstone of effective internal marketing is delivering an exceptional patient experience. This isn’t about superficial smiles and polite greetings; it’s about cultivating a genuine connection with each patient. Start by ensuring that your website is welcoming and informative, featuring testimonials and friendly photos of your team. This sets the tone for what patients can expect.

When a new patient calls, make their experience memorable. Warm greetings, prompt appointment scheduling, and expressing gratitude for referrals can make a significant difference. Ensure your scheduling process is seamless, offering online booking options which nearly 70% of people prefer.

Once patients step into your practice, the appointment flow should be smooth, minimizing wait times. Invest in modern office technology to enhance the patient experience and showcase your practice as cutting-edge. Trust and communication are fundamental—honesty and clear explanations build trust, and a knowledgeable team reassures patients of their choice.

Building an Internal Referral System

With a strong patient experience in place, you’re ready to capitalize on referrals. A systematic approach ensures consistency and scalability. Begin by setting clear goals and tracking referrals diligently. A simple spreadsheet can suffice, or you could invest in a CRM for more sophisticated tracking.

Identify who in your team is best positioned to ask for referrals—typically, this will be the doctors or hygienists who have built rapport with patients. Equip them with effective scripts to make the ask seamless. Frame it as a personal favor to increase the likelihood of a positive response.

Motivating your team is crucial. Turn referrals into a friendly competition with a scoreboard and daily updates, and consider a bonus structure to reward successful referrals. This not only drives results but also fosters a team spirit focused on growth.

Making Referrals Easy and Rewarding

Simplicity is key to encouraging referrals. Provide physical referral cards that patients can easily pass to friends. Offering a new patient special, like a discounted exam, makes the referral enticing.

Incentivizing referrals needs careful navigation of legal and ethical guidelines. A raffle is a safe and effective method. Each referral card turned in can enter the referrer into a monthly draw for a prize, such as a gift card or a free service, maintaining compliance while motivating patients.

Leveraging Testimonials and Reviews

Online reviews are a powerful tool. Prospective patients heavily rely on reviews, with studies showing that a majority of people trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. Aim to have more reviews than your competitors to stand out.

Encourage reviews by asking satisfied patients directly at the end of their appointment. Follow up with a text containing a direct link to your review page. Timing is crucial—send the link within a couple of hours to ensure the experience is fresh in the patient’s mind.

The Future of Internal Marketing

As we look forward, the role of internal marketing will continue to evolve. The integration of advanced technologies like AI-driven patient management systems and personalized communication tools will make internal marketing more effective and easier to manage. Practices that stay ahead of these trends will not only retain their patient base but will also see exponential growth in referrals and overall patient satisfaction.

Something Sweet

🍭Stuff so sweet you might get a cavity..

Industry Events

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Miscellaneous

😅P.S. … I forgot something

Uncover why AHI results can be misleading and learn to accurately interpret your sleep studies!