Subscribe 

In Today’s Edition:

1. Did you know that dentists can spot signs of obstructive sleep apnea just as well as sleep doctors?

2. Learn about easy and effective tools to make screening for sleep an easy part of your routine.

3. Discover how mandibular advancement devices can be an effective and user-friendly alternative to CPAP.

4. CE Opportunities and Events

5-minute read👇

Clinical Corner

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

Key Takeaways🔑

What This Means For Your Practice

Recent studies highlight a strong link between oral health and sleep-disordered breathing. A Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine study found that dentists can identify patients at risk for OSA as effectively as sleep physicians using standardized tools. Dentists are key to early OSA intervention with direct patient access and craniofacial expertise.

Screening: The First Line of Defense

The American Dental Association (ADA) has recognized the importance of screening for sleep-related breathing disorders, urging all dentists to incorporate OSA evaluations into their routine exams. Here’s how:

1. Medical History Review – Ask patients about snoring, daytime fatigue, and observed apneas. The STOP-BANG and Epworth Sleepiness Scale are simple yet effective screening tools.

2. Oral Examination – Assess for airway restrictions, tongue posture, and soft tissue abnormalities.

   Key anatomical indicators of OSA include:

   • Retrognathic mandible (receding jaw)

   • High-arched or narrow palate

   • Enlarged tongue or tonsils

   • Bruxism and worn dentition

3. Collaboration with Sleep Physicians – A streamlined referral process ensures that at-risk patients receive appropriate polysomnography or home sleep testing (HST).

Oral Appliance Therapy: The Game-Changer for CPAP Non-Adherence

CPAP is the gold standard for OSA treatment, but compliance is around 50%. For those who struggle with CPAP, mandibular advancement devices (MADs) offer an effective alternative, reducing AHI scores by up to 67% in mild-to-moderate cases. The American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine reports that well-fitted oral appliances can match CPAP success rates in certain patients.

With growing evidence connecting oral health to sleep disorders, it's important for dental professionals to get involved. Dentists can make a real difference in many lives by actively screening patients, working alongside doctors, and offering effective treatment options. Now is the perfect time to take action!

Something Sweet

🍭Stuff so sweet you might get a cavity..

CE Opportunities / Events

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

Miscellaneous

😅P.S. … I forgot something.

Coming soon!!!! New updates in the newsletter from Dr. Mike Bennett. You'll find real case studies with easy steps to help you apply clinical knowledge in practice.