Modern approach to Oral Appliance Therapy,
West Essex Dental Study Club, April 2024

       I. Introduction

      A. Importance of Sleep Disorders Breathing (SDB) Screening

    1. Overview of the prevalence and impact of SDB
    2. Link between oral health, sleep disorders and general health

     II.  My Pathway to Dental Sleep Medicine

    1. Personal journey and motivation
    2. Evolution of Dental Sleep Medicine as a specialty in front of my eyes

     III. Common Signs and Symptoms

    1. Overview of the most prevalent patient complaints
    2. Importance of patient-reported symptoms 
    3. Recognizing the oral manifestations of SDB

     IV. Root Causes of SDB

    1. Understanding the evolutionary perspective of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
    2. Discussing the underlying factors contributing to SDB
    3. Connection between modern lifestyle changes and increased prevalence

      V. Barriers for Treatment in a Dental Office

    1. Identifying challenges in integrating sleep medicine into dental practices
    2. Addressing patient awareness and compliance issues
    3. Collaborative approaches to overcome obstacles

       VI. Choosing the Right Appliance

    1. Overview of oral appliances for OSA
    2. Factors influencing appliance selection
    3. Customization based on patient needs and characteristics

 

     VII. Additional Strategies for Incomplete Symptom Resolution

    1. Recognizing cases where Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) is insufficient
    2. Exploring combination therapies
    3. Collaboration with sleep physicians for comprehensive care

     VIII. Pediatric Population and OSA

    1. Signs and symptoms of OSA in children
    2. Special considerations for pediatric sleep disorders
    3. Tailored treatment strategies for kids

     IX. Myofunctional Therapy

    1. Definition and principles of myofunctional therapy
    2. Role in addressing underlying causes of SDB
    3. Integration into the dentist’s toolkit for holistic care

     X. Community Engagement and Medical initiative

    1. Importance of community awareness
    2. Collaborative efforts with physicians, sleep specialists, and other healthcare professionals
    3. Building a network for comprehensive care

10 Secrets I learned from my “Sleep Apnea: breathing, snoring, help channel”, PANNY, April 2024

 

 

I. John’s Journey

  1. Share John’s story, highlighting key observations and challenges with traditional CPAP treatment.
  2. Discuss your motivation and determination to find better solutions for patients like John

II. Lesson 1: Separation of Medicine and Dentistry 

Historical Context

  1. Explain the separation of medicine and dentistry since 1930.
  2. Discuss the impact on patient care and interdisciplinary trust.

III. Case Study

  1. Share the dinner meeting with the sleep physician and the outcome.

IV. Lesson 2: What MDs Want from Referrals 

Key Factors

  1. Highlight the importance of credibility, insurance coverage, timeliness, and interaction.

V. Survey Insights

  1. Present findings from scientific surveys on physician expectations.

VI. Lesson 3: Building Relationships with MDs 

Strategies for Relationship Building

  1. Discuss the importance of personal relationships and the 2-3 year timeline.
  2. Share practical tips from the book “Giftology” on personalized gift-giving.

VII. Lesson 4: Effective Public Messaging 

Modern Marketing

  1. Contrast traditional marketing methods with digital and mobile platforms.
  2. Emphasize understanding patient needs and building a solid reputation online.

VIII. Lesson 5: Online Presence in Healthcare 

Social Media Impact

  1. Share statistics on social media usage by patients and physicians.
  2. Discuss the importance of an authentic online presence.

IX. Lesson 6: Telemedicine 

Telehealth Benefits and Challenges

  1. Present patient and physician perspectives on telemedicine.
  2. Highlight the importance of embracing telehealth for future healthcare dynamics.

X. Lesson 7: Wearable Technology 

Patient Engagement

  1. Share stories of patients using wearables like the Oura ring.
  2. Discuss the integration of wearables in patient monitoring and treatment.

XI. Lesson 8: Introducing New Technologies 

Communication Techniques

  1. Explain the importance of explaining new technologies to patients.
  2. Share examples of patient testimonials and interviews with inventors.

XII. Lesson 9: Sharing Insights through Writing 

Writing and Publishing

  1. Discuss the benefits of writing articles and books.
  2. Encourage public speaking engagements to reach broader audiences.

XIII. Lesson 10: Community Engagement and Collaboration 

Collaborative Approach

  1. Highlight the importance of community engagement and collaboration among healthcare providers.
  2. Share the story of Ignaz Semmelweis and its relevance to modern personalized medicine.

XIV. Conclusion 

  1. Encourage collaboration and continued education in myofunctional therapy and sleep medicine.