Dental Sleep Education – Why It Matters.
It is estimated that 1 in 5 patients walking into your practice has Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)1. This disease is linked to a wide variety of other health issues including congestive heart failure2, hypertension3, and a higher stroke risk4. There is also a 15-fold increase of patients with moderate to severe OSA of being involved in a traffic accident5, You can be involved in treating OSA and its debilitating effects by actively screening your dental patients and building relationships with local sleep physicians for diagnosis of the disease and referrals to your practice when an oral device is prescribed.
The diagnosis and treatment of your patients is key. Gaining a better understanding of the connection between snoring and OSA and how to appropriately screen, work with a physician for diagnosis and a successful treatment outcome can provide a wonderful growth opportunity for your practice. To learn more about SomnoMed’s Dental Education program, click here.
