“ Dental Sleep Medicine can be rewarding but bear in mind that it is of utmost importance that we provide this service at the highest level possible . Your patient ’ s life might depend on it .”
L ast November , the AADSM held their basic and advanced courses in the city in which I practice . While numerous local dentists now display that they “ treat sleep apnea ” on their websites , there were but 3 local dentists at the course including myself and a long time DSM clinician .
We must keep in mind one very important difference between general dentistry and DSM . A patient is unlikely to die from a poorly placed filling . On the other hand , patients can develop or see serious comorbidities worsen if they don ’ t control their apnea . Thus , if a dentist decides to incorporate this field into his or her practice , that dentist MUST commit .
Having spent the last several years studying both the science and clinical aspects of DSM , I ’ ve come to realize how much I really didn ’ t know and still don ’ t know . Yes , we may all know how to take impressions and a bite registration , but just attend a good solid DSM CE course and your eyes will be opened .
With this in mind , I encourage – no , I implore you to continue learning .
Last February , I attended the North American Dental Sleep Symposium in Clearwater . It was a super weekend of learning and fellowship but most importantly , it was another step to helping me become a better doctor for my patients .
Additionally , there are study clubs that will take your knowledge to the next level as well as universitybased mini-residencies that provide a large amount of information in a short period of time .
Educate your patients so that they can discern a dentist who is serious about Dental Sleep Medicine and one who is not . Think about it . Before coming to you , I bet the majority of patients had no idea that oral appliance therapy was even an option for treating OSA . I hear this all the time . Sadly , some also believe that any dentist can provide this service .
Most patients don ’ t understand what sleep
RICK VAN GURP , DDS
Most patients don ’ t understand what sleep apnea is – even if they ’ ve been diagnosed in the past and have been through a regimen of CPAP . Take the time to enlighten them . Help them to understand their medical problem , how not treating it impacts their health and finally how we as dentists may be able to help them . The bottom line is to provide a better service and help those who need it .
Take the time to enlighten them . Help them to understand their medical problem , how not treating it impacts their health and finally how we as dentists may be able to help them . The bottom line is to provide a better service and help those who need it .
“ Dental Sleep Medicine can be rewarding but bear in mind that it is of utmost importance that we provide this service at the highest level possible . Your patient ’ s life might depend on it .”