HOME SLEEP TESTING & DENTISTRY
There are less than 9,000
practicing Board-certified
Sleep physicians in the
U.S. and approximately
30,000,000 Americans
suffering from OSA. Each
year, there are only ~150
new board-certified sleep
physicians credentialed to
combat this pandemic.
9,000 Sleep Physicians
30,000,000 OSA Patients
There are currently
hundreds, maybe
thousands of dentists
that provide HST services
to their patients for
subsequent diagnosis by a
physician. These dentists
are strong proponents
of a multi-disciplinary
approach to diagnosis and
treatment. Do the math.
Does it seem prudent to
restrict access to care by
relegating dentistry to the
upper deck bleachers?
One might think that DSM
professional organizations
would lobby, rally, or
otherwise protest this
damaging overreach. One
of these organizations
has MILLIONS of dollars
in their coffers. One
would be wrong to think
any of the funds you’ve
contributed would be
used for this purpose.
Unfortunately, too many
of these organizations
don’t seem to truly
represent the needs of
the profession or more
importantly, the patients.
Why are so many dentists
disinterested in DSM upon
leaving an Academy-
based dental DSM course?
Today, there is a multitude
of dentists in the U.S.
ordering and/or providing
HST services with an
appropriate diagnosis
from a physician.
However, these
organizations and certain
self-interested individuals
share hypothetical legal
situations that ultimately
manifest into fewer DSM
providers that screen,
test, treat, and coordinate
care with medical peers
for their shared patients.
A Doctor of Dental
Surgery or Dental
Medicine can perform
sinus elevation
procedures, bone
grafting, implant
placement, prescribe
opioids, but they are not
deemed “qualified” to
administer a sleep test
for their patients? Does
this seem sensible? Does
it seem to be in the best
interest of public health?
This isn’t rhetoric and
that isn’t a rhetorical
question.
Dental licenses are not
administered or overseen
by the AADSM, AASM, or
the AMA.
Regardless of any
written position
statements or
recommendations
made by some of
these organizations,
dentists should
always follow the
laws and guidelines
of their local state
dental board.
Say it again.