Managing Long-Term OAT Users-Managing Long-Term OAT Users

Managing Long-Term OAT Users

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The presentation on managing long-term oral appliance therapy (OAT) users focuses on protocols for chronic care, compliance, and collaboration with medical professionals to address obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It was presented at the 2024 American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine meeting in San Antonio by Alan O. Blanton, DDS, MS, D. ABDSM.<br /><br />The critical nature of managing long-term OAT use lies in the progressive nature of OSA, which necessitates lifelong, multidisciplinary management. Guidelines from AADSM, AASM, and ADA stress the importance of follow-up, recommending initial semi-annual evaluations and annual assessments thereafter. These evaluations assess appliance efficacy, patient comfort, changes in occlusion, and potential side effects while also addressing broader health parameters like sleep patterns, blood pressure, and weight.<br /><br />Compliance is vital, defined as using the appliance for 80% of the night across five nights per week. Ensuring patient adherence involves educating them on sleep hygiene and addressing compliance barriers early in the treatment. Dentists play a key role in reviewing symptoms, developing patient-specific action plans, and communicating with medical collaborators. They are encouraged to inform referring physicians about any changes in the patient's condition or device requirements.<br /><br />Protocols for follow-up visits, which can include telehealth options, involve standard checks like updating medical histories and assessing the condition of the OAT devices. Regular communication with both patients and their healthcare teams ensures a coordinated approach to managing the patient's condition.<br /><br />Overall, the presentation highlights the importance of structured follow-up, continuous communication, and personalized care in managing OAT for long-term health outcomes. The use and mention of products in the presentation do not represent the views of the AADSM.

Keywords

oral appliance therapy

obstructive sleep apnea

chronic care

compliance

multidisciplinary management

American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine

patient adherence

telehealth

personalized care

healthcare collaboration