Medical/Dental Professionals

Dentistry’s Role in the Treatment of Sleep Disorders

  1. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a life threatening Medical Disorder.
  2. Dentists are NOT Medically Qualified, nor Legally Permitted to Diagnose Sleep Disorders.
  3. A Diagnosis must be made by a Physician!
  4. Screening for Sleep Disorders in Patient Questionaires and during a Expanded Dental Exam to evaluate oral and nasal physiology.
  5. Provide an Oral Appliance for an OSA Patient upon receipt of a Referral from a Physician.
  6. Monitor Oral Appliance Therapy as part of the Treatment Team with the Physician.
  7. After titration and subjective sleep improvement refer patient for a follow-up sleep study to verify actual improvement.
  8. Monitor and Treat Potential Side Effects of Oral Appliance Therapy.

Indications Oral Appliance Therapy

  1. Primary Snoring after Overnight Sleep Study
  2. Patients with Mild-Moderate OSA who Prefer Oral Appliance Therapy to CPAP
  3. (3.3.3 02/2006 AASM)
  4. CPAP Intolerance for Mild to Severe Apnea Patients
  5. Surgical Contraindication

Additional Resources