Health Care Providers:

Whether you are a dentist, physician or other healthcare provider, the diagnosis, treatment, and referral process for patients with sleep disturbances can be challenging.

Many wellness or problem-focused appointments with a healthcare provider leave little time to help patients take action with sleep-related problems such as poor sleep hygiene, insomnia symptoms, snoring or restless sleep.

Often patients with insomnia symptoms may be prescribed sleep aides without a full sleep evaluation. At other times, adults who show symptoms of depression or children with symptoms of ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) may be inadequately or wrongly treated without a thorough evaluation of their sleep.

It has been well researched and known by sleep experts that sleep breathing disorders such as snoring or obstructive sleep apnea should no longer be suspect only with middle–aged, thick-necked, heavier individuals. Kids, petite and thin women, and individuals of average weight can have apnea symptoms and eventually diagnosed with a sleep breathing disorder.

To find a qualified dental provider of oral appliance therapy in your area visit American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. 

Scholarly articles that may be of interest to you include:

For Dentists

If you are a dentist that is currently treating snoring and apnea patients, I encourage you to share the articles and success cases of this website to your family of patients through newsletters or social media channels. Together we can tackle the great need that currently exists in getting snoring and sleep apnea patients to treatment and better health.

The American Dental Association now recommends all dentists screen for sleep breathing disorders. See our downloadable Supplemental Health Screening Questionnaire. This form provides an easy way for dental teams to start the conversation on snoring and associated symptoms. 

The American Dental Association now recommends all dentists screen for sleep breathing disorders. See our downloadable Supplemental Health Screening Questionnaire. This form provides an easy way for dental teams to start the conversation on snoring and associated symptoms. 

If you are a dentist interested in learning more about dental sleep medicine, browse through this website for some basic knowledge of airway breathing disorders and symptoms. Whether you are interested in screening for or treating sleep airway disorders, I encourage you to start your knowledge with a non-profit organization such as the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine.