Post an Event (free) | Subscribe 

Good morning.

Did you know that a simple score could help predict pediatric sleep apnea?

In this edition of More Than Teeth🦷, we dive into a practical tool to streamline the screening of your pediatric patients.

In Today’s Edition:

• Predicting Pediatric OSA with Mallampaties and Tonsils

• How to Win Online Reviews

• Industry Events

• [Video] How Dentists Treat Sleep

5-minute read👇

Clinical Corner

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

Key Takeaways🔑

Predicting Pediatric OSA with Mallampati Score and Tonsillar Size

Introduction

Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is common, affecting 1-3% of children aged 2-8. This study focused on diagnosed OSA in children, but 10-15% of children also suffer from unaccounted Sleep Disordered Breathing (SBD). If Untreated, all SBD issues can lead to significant health issues, however, we are focused on OSA for this study.

Diagnosing OSA is not in the scope of a dental license, but screening is highly encouraged! A recent study suggests that Mallampati score and tonsillar size may help prioritize children for PSG, facilitating earlier diagnosis and management.

Key Findings from the Study

Researchers at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago conducted a retrospective study on 158 children. The study assessed the utility of Mallampati score and tonsillar size in predicting OSA.

Data Highlights:

• Mallampati Score: For every point increase in the Mallampati score (sitting), the odds of having OSA increased more than six-fold. Supine Mallampati score showed even higher predictive power, increasing the odds by more than seven-fold.

• Tonsillar Size: Each point increase in tonsillar size doubled the odds of having OSA.

• Supine Position Superiority: The Mallampati score taken in the supine position was superior to the sitting position and tonsillar size in predicting OSA, with a sensitivity of 89.7% and specificity of 74.6%.

Why Mallampati and Tonsillar Size Matter

The study’s results underscore the importance of Mallampati score and tonsillar size as predictors for OSA. These assessments are noninvasive, easy to perform, and cost-effective. When combined with a comprehensive sleep history, they offer a practical screening tool to identify children at risk for OSA.

Practical Applications for Dental Sleep Professionals

1. Routine Screening: Incorporate Mallampati score and tonsillar size assessments in routine examinations of children, especially those showing signs of sleep disturbances.

2. Prioritizing Sleep Screening: Use high Mallampati scores and large tonsils to prioritize referrals for PSG’s or Home Sleep Test screening, ensuring timely diagnosis and treatment.

3. Patient Education: Educate parents about the significance of OSA and the role of these scores in identifying at-risk children.

Implementing Mallampati Score and Tonsillar Size Assessments

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Training: Ensure all staff are trained to accurately assess and record Mallampati scores and tonsillar sizes.

2. Documentation: Include these assessments in the patient’s record during routine check-ups.

3. Follow-up: For children with high scores, schedule follow-ups and discuss the potential need for PSG with parents.

Conclusion

Mallampati score and tonsillar size are effective predictors of pediatric OSA. Their integration into routine dental exams can streamline the identification of at-risk children, leading to earlier intervention and better health/treatment outcomes.

Business of Sleep

📈Better businesses = more lives saved!

Dental Sleep's Guide to Winning Online Reviews

Gone are the days when your dental reputation's reach was limited to a community and local paper. The digital age has not just arrived; it's thriving, and it's all about online reviews. Whether you're treating sleep apnea with cutting-edge oral appliances or innovative myofunctional therapies, your reputation is increasingly living online. Here's the lowdown:

📊 By The Numbers:

• 92% of consumers peek at online reviews before committing. Yep, before they even set foot in your clinic. 🦷👀

• Believe in word-of-mouth? Cool. But 84% trust online reviews just as much.🤳

• Oh, and 9 out of 10 folks scan online reviews before picking a business.

🔍 How to Glow in the Google Galaxy:

1. Google My Business (GMB) is Your BFF: Start by setting up a business profile. It's not just about gathering reviews, but the algorithm also loves those who play the game. The result? You end up at the top of the search, smiling down on competitors. 😇

2. Text Requests Post-Treatment: Old-school feedback forms? Pass. Text your patients with a polite ask and a direct link. Saves everyone's time, and it's all digital. 📱

3. Automation Station: Take #2 a bit further.. think bigger than manual texts. Automate those review request texts with software. No more forgotten follow-ups, and you’ll always have your finger on the pulse. 🤖

4. Stay Alert: Monitor your reviews. The good, the bad, the troll-y. Know what's being said and use it as a tool for improvement or as a feather in your cap. 🧐

5. Engage, But Wisely: Respond to genuine feedback. Highlight great reviews (with permission) and handle negatives with class. Fake reviews? Contact the platform's admin. 🤝

6. Email Power: Not just texts! Craft engaging, visually appealing emails with CTAs. They have a longer shelf life and can reach more folks. 💌

7. Last but GOLD: The ultimate way to win reviews? Provide a stellar patient journey. From their first call to their last appointment, make it memorable.

8. 💡 Pro-tip: If tech isn't your forte, there are tools to simplify this. Look for platforms that combine communication needs - think VoIP phones, messaging, automation, and review monitoring, all in one.

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

Discover how you can transform lives (and your practice) by helping patients sleep better—learn the dentist's role in tackling sleep apnea!