Dental Sleep Medicine Insider September 2015 | Page 9

Who’s o h W Dr. Kevin Stock Wh W Dr. Kevin Stock graduated from UMKC School of Dentistry & immediately found a passion for the treatment OSA with OAT. He started his practice, Sleep Right Dental in 2013 which is exclusively dedicated to Dental Sleep Medicine. He is the inventor of NED, an intranasal device designed to treat OSA and snoring and used as an adjunct with OAT to improve efficacy in treating all severities of OSA. He is a national level physique Dr. Kevin Stock gradu competitor, and still drives his grandmother’s car. OSA with OAT. He sta SleepisMedicine. Staci: You began practicing DSM directly out of dental school. but choosing DS3 was paramount. Learning an on-go- He is as anlearn adjunct Tell me what prompted you to make that decision. ing process, but I figured the more I could fromwith OA competitor, and still d classes rather than mistakes, the better. DS3 not only Dr. Kev Dr. Stock: So I am told this is not the traditional route… graduating from dental school and opening a practice exclusively dedicated to treating sleep apnea. I knew that several members of my extended family suffered from sleep apnea and were intolerant of PAP therapy. A particular family member, knowing I was a soon-to-be dentist, asked if I could make her an oral device to treat her sleep apnea. At the time I didn’t even know what an oral device was, or how they treated sleep apnea. Dental school was still lacking in this area. So I did some research. The numbers were staggering – both the number of sleep apnea suffers and the percent that are intolerant to PAP therapy. The tremendous need for a simple, tolerable treatment option was obvious. “What sold me was how much of a life-changer these oral devices were for these patients.” Staci: What did that process entail & what were your most significant obstacles? Dr. Stock: The journey started with education. I took several courses in an attempt to close the knowledge gap. I researched software, and I don’t think I realized at the time, provided the practice management that Staci: I needed alsopracticin Youbut began the support and education to help kick me off the ground. Tell me what prompte This is not to say starting was without obstacles. Since I Dr. Stock: So I am told didn’t even know what a deductible was before starting, graduating from denta there were some significant challenges especially when it exclusively dedicated to came to medical insurance billing. Again, DS3, has been a several members of my lifesaver here. sleep apnea and were in ular family member, kno Staci: What 3 things are must haves for your DSM practice? asked if I could make he apnea. At the time I didn Dr. Stock: The first thing may sound a bit strange, but what was, or how they treate has been absolutely vital that I cannot overstate enough is still lacking in this area. finding a lab that is committed to helping you succeed. I bers were staggering – will give a personal example. I was lucky to start out using suffers and the percent t Dynaflex. I assume because I was just a kid, they assigned a The tremendous need f young lab technician, Alex Buddemeyer to help me. I can go option was obvious. W to him for questions, advice, and help. He has bailed me life-changer these oral d out of countless mistakes, appliance issues, and has been a helpful hand from everything to tightening appliances tothat pro What did Staci: complex combination therapy fabrications. I can’t emphasignificant obstacles? size enough the importance of finding a lab that will work Dr. Stock: The journey st with you like Alex has worked with me. courses in an attempt I researched software, and The next thing that would be a must have is my DS3 of course.