With 54 million adults in the US suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), you are undoubtedly caring for patients with undiagnosed or untreated OSA. Recognizing the role of dentists in meeting this public health burden, the ADA encourages all dentists to screen patients for OSA as part of a comprehensive medical and dental history. 

This 2 hour on-demand, self-paced program is comprised of lectures and demos to walk you through how to implement an OSA screening process in your dental practice.  

At the conclusion of the activity, participants will be able to:

1. Establish simple protocols for screening patients for OSA;
2. Identify signs, symptoms, and risk factors for OSA;
3. Incorporate practical history taking and clinical evaluation steps into a comprehensive patient examination; and
4. Refer patients at risk for OSA to a medical provider for evaluation and diagnosis.

Dr. Christopher Hart is a general dentist that practices at Hart Dental, Center for Modern Dentistry and Hart Dental Sleep Solutions in Mitchell, SD.  He received his bachelors degree in dental hygiene from the University of South Dakota, and his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Indiana. 

He has earned the distinction of qualified dentist through the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine and his diplomate through the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine.  Dr. Hart has been treating sleep disorders for over a decade and is passionate about helping patients live longer, fuller lives.  He has taught sleep lab technicians and hygienists, teaching at various schools as a guest lecturer and annually at his alma mater, the University of South Dakota, on how to screen for sleep disorders. 

Jeff Horowitz, DMD completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Pittsburgh and earned his dental degree from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. After completing a GPR at the Mountainside Hospital in Montclair, N.J., Dr Horowitz founded the Carolina Center for Advanced Dentistry, a multi-disciplinary group practice with two locations in the Myrtle Beach, S.C. area. He is also the founder and clinical director for Advanced Sleep and TMJ Centers with three locations in coastal South Carolina.  His main interest is comprehensive functional care, including the treatment of sleep disordered breathing, Oro-facial pain, Temporo-mandibular disorders, orthodontics, dento-facial orthopaedics, cosmetic smile and occlusal rehabilitation.

Gordon Bell, DDS is a practicing general dentist of 29 years. Dr. Bell holds Fellowship credentials with the Academy of General Dentistry and International Congress of Oral Implantology. He is the Chief Dental Officer for York Dental Sleep Therapy, a multi-office, multi-doctor, dental sleep medicine practice in York, PA. Dr. Bell holds Diplomate credentials with the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine, American Board of Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine, and Academy of Clinical Sleep Disorders Disciplines. Dr. Bell served on the AADSM Education Committee and lectures nationally on management of craniofacial pain and sleep disordered breathing.

• ADA House of Delegates. The Role of Dentistry in the Treatment of Sleep Related Breathing Disorders. 2021. https://www.ada.org/resources/research/science-and-research-institute/oral-health-topics/sleep-apnea-obstructive.
• Levine M, Bennett K, Cantwell M, Postol K, Schwartz, D. Dental Sleep Medicine Standards for Screening, Treating and Managing Adult Patients with Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders. Journal of Dental Sleep Medicine. 2018;5(3): p. 61-68.
• Scherr S, Dort LC, Almeida FR, et al. Definition of an Effective Oral Appliance for the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Snoring: A Report of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. Journal of Dental Sleep Medicine. 2014; 1(1): p. 39-50.
• Rundo JV. Obstructive sleep apnea basics. Cleve Clin J Med. 2019 Sep;86(9 Suppl 1):2-9.
• Dominguez JE, Krystal AD, Habib AS. Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Pregnant Women: A Review of Pregnancy Outcomes and an Approach to Management. Anesth Analg. 2018 Nov;127(5):1167-1177.

Content for this lecture was last reviewed and approved by the AADSM Director of Education, Dr. Trish Braga, on December 20, 2021. Dr. Braga does not has any relevant financial interest/other relationships to disclose. 

Original record date: December 15, 2021
Expiration date: None

This educational offering was funded exclusively by the AADSM. 

For questions regarding the content of this program or for technical assistance, contact the AADSM at info@aadsm.org or 630-686-9875.