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PART 2 – Careful Look at Our Patients- Sleep Apnea

2017 the ADA released a policy statement addressed dentists to learn, screen, or treat airway issues and sleep breathing disorders. Untreated airway and sleep related issues have been proven to increase the likelihood of many disease processes such as diabetes, gastroesophageal reflux disease, dementia, stroke, and cardiovascular disease. It is estimated that 80% of the adult population in the United States that has Sleep Apnea are undiagnosed. Dentists and their team of trained eyes can often suspect various signs in the oral cavity that an airway concern exists. There are clearly established findings that suggest the oral cavity can provide insight into a patient’s potential risk for developing or having Sleep Breathing Disorders, such as Sleep Apnea. Many of our patients feel they are doomed to a life with poor sleep as a normal part of aging. Let’s get a conversation going with our patients that might just save their lives once you see the signs you will never unsee them. It will change the way you see your patients and they way they see you as a clinician. It takes seconds to see the concerns and seconds to ask “How are you Sleeping? Have you ever had a Sleep Test?”

This discussion is designed to be interactive. Please bring your knowledge and questions. This is the third topic in a Series of Discussions about the Airway and our World of Dentistry and why we all should have some knowledge of airway concerns to better help our clients in their health journey’s.

AMANDA WOODS, OMT, RDH

Dental Hygienist with Advanced Study in Myofunctional Therapy

Amanda Woods is a Registered Dental Hygienist of 23 years and owner of Be MYO

Well, an oral myofunctional practice here in South Burlington Vermont and beyond with her ability to use Telemedicine to treat her patient in other states and countries. She has been a Myofunctional Trainer and Buteyko Breathing Coach for over three years. Amanda found Myofunctional Therapy through seeking out help for her son’s airway development concerns and mental health needs that were tied to a sleep airway crisis. She has since been fascinated with the world of bruxism, cranial facial respiratory development, TMD, and sleep and how this field keeps advancing with ever changing research. Amanda took her training with the Myo Mastery Myofunctional Training Academy in 2017-18 and she has developed her skills further as a Breathe Institute Ambassador, Buteyko Clinic Coach, Fast and Functional Advanced Training knowledge of the TMJ, is an Airway Circle Member and is a member of the American Academy of Physiological Medicine and Dentistry.