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Good morning! Dentist by day, super striker at night - that’s the two scrub caps that 26-year-old Dr. Eddie Simon as an up-and-comer on UK soccer team Walton and Hersham. No mere novelty, Dr. Simon has broken an English record four successive hat-tricks, setting up his team for a potential upgrade to the big leagues. Pro flosser finds footy fame! (we just finished Ted Lasso)

In Today’s Edition:

• Sleep Trouble in Kids with Autism

• ASD and Sleep Trouble: What's the Deal?

• Persistent OSA's Ripple Effect of the Family

• Crafting Win-Win Alliances with Referring Physicians

5-minute read today👇

Clinical Corner

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

Key Takeaways🔑

1/ Sleep Trouble in Kids with Autism

New research shines a light on a big health issue: kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often have a tough type of sleep apnea, known as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). The study looked at 166 kids having surgery for OSA. It found that kids with autism had more OSA symptoms. The real twist? Kids with milder autism had more symptoms and got diagnosed with OSA later.

Why It Matters: This is big because it's not just about kids snoring. It's about how well they think, behave, and live every day. This study shows doctors need to pay more attention. Some kids with autism might not seem like they have OSA because their symptoms are not clear. So, they don't get the help they need soon enough.

🎯 Practical Takeaways:

• Know the Signs: Understand that kids with autism, especially those with milder forms, might have more OSA symptoms.

• Catch It Early: Look out for OSA signs in kids with autism to avoid late diagnosis.

• Plan Treatments Carefully: Think about the special needs of kids when you plan their OSA treatments.

• Keep Learning & Studying: Stay updated with new research in this area and support more studies to learn even more about autism and OSA.

Specialists can really make a difference in the lives of kids who are struggling. Better sleep for them means better days for everyone. 🌞

2/ Persistent OSA's Ripple Effect on the Family

We discuss the personal challenges when dealing with OSA but lets ask the question, “how does it affect the family?”.

Between 2014 and 2016, families and their kiddos with special needs marched through a pediatric center, filling out questionnaires left and right. The goal? To gauge the quality of life for families navigating persistent OSA issues.

Here's the Scoop: Families of the 67 young patients (mean age 12.5) are feeling the pinch, and it's hitting their wallets hardest. The full spectrum was represented here with 45% of these patients having the comorbidity of down syndrome. The worse the OSA, the greater the stress on the family. Financial stress due to the worsening of the patient’s condition was the main driver for these families.

🎯 Key Takeaways for Your Practice:

• Quality of Life Takes a Hit: Persistent OSA isn't just an individual's battle; it's a family affair. And it's messing with their overall well-being.

• Follow the Money: Financial strain is the top worry for families - think beyond the clinical treatment and consider the broader cost implications.

• Down Syndrome Link: Almost half the study's young'uns with persistent OSA also had Down syndrome.

• No Difference, Big Difference: Except for the financial burden, life with or without OSA looked pretty similar. But, oh boy, that money worry is a game-changer.

So, what's the play? As pros in dental sleep medicine, we're in a prime spot to throw families a lifeline. From sliding scale fees to smarter treatment planning, easing that financial stress could be the real MVP in managing persistent OSA.

Business of Sleep

📈Better businesses = more lives saved!

Crafting Win-Win Alliances with Referring Physicians

Hey there, sleep guardians of the dental realm! Today, we're diving deep into the art of building bridges - not the dental kind, but the referral kind. Yep, we're talking about nurturing those golden relationships with physicians that can drive your sleep practice into the stratosphere. 🌟

The Inside Track: To ace sleep apnea treatment, dentists need a hotline to local physicians. Why? Because they're the gatekeepers to patient referrals and crucial collaborators in handling those tricky comorbidities. And guess what? Winning them over isn't rocket science. It's about striking the right chord with in-person schmoozing, savvy marketing, and showcasing stellar patient outcomes. Ready to roll out the red carpet for referrals? Let's break it down:

🎯 Actionable Strategies:

1. Play Host with the Most: Organize a "Lunch and Learn" for local physician offices. It's casual, friendly, and a fantastic way to discuss the perks of oral appliance therapy.

2. Pitch Perfect: Got 2 minutes? That's all you need for an elevator pitch. Customize it for each physician's focus — be it ENTs, primary care, or cardiologists — and address their specific patient needs.

3. Make a Splash with a Dash: Swing by their office with informative materials. Personal touches like handwritten notes can set you apart.

4. Simplify to Multiply: Easy-to-use referral forms are key. The simpler it is for them to refer, the more likely they will.

5. Empower Patients with Knowledge: Supply educational pamphlets that patients can take home. Remember, a well-informed patient is a happy patient.

6. Barrier? What Barrier? Assure physicians that you're all about patient accessibility. Complimentary consultations or affordable home sleep studies speak volumes.

7. Happy Patients, Happy Referrals: Satisfied patients are walking, talking billboards for your practice. Keep them smiling, and referrals will follow.

8. Reciprocity is Queen: Don't forget to send patients back to your physician pals. A two-way street builds trust and long-lasting partnerships.

So, dental sleep virtuosos, it's time to jazz up those referral relationships. With these pro tips, you're not just fixing smiles; you're building alliances that count. And remember, the best partnerships are always a win-win! 🤝

Something Sweet

🍭Stuff so sweet you might get a cavity..

Exclusives for More Than Teeth Readers

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Miscellaneous

😅P.S. … I forgot something

Pharmacology may be a great future modality DSM professionals use to help treat their OSA patients.