Diagnosing and treating SDB patients requires a multi-disciplinary approach. Sleep Labs are commonly run by a variety of specialists such as Pulmonologists, Neurologists, Neuro-Psychiatrists and ENTs. However, Dental Practitioners (Dentists, Orthodontists, Maxillo-Facial Surgeons) are best equipped to treat SDB patients with MRDs.
According to Prof. Colin Sullivan, inventor of CPAP and key opinion leader, Dental Practitioners should play a critical role in four areas:
- Treating adults with MRDs for snoring and mild to moderate OSA in order to stop the progression of the disease
- Identifying patients at risk (children and adults) through regular check-ups of the upper airways
- Treating children with rapid maxillary expansion and avoiding harmful orthodontic treatment
- Recognising the need for bi-maxillary osteotomy, for young adults with a need for maxillo-facial correction
Collaboration between Sleep Specialists and Dental Practitioners to treat adult SDB patients
Sleep Specialists are routinely in charge of the diagnosis and treatment selection
Collaboration is usually based on a double prescription:
- Prescription by a Sleep Specialist based on a sleep study for treatment indication
- Prescription by a Dental Practitioner to validate that the patient is fit to be treated with a custom MRD
- Trained Dental Practitioners provide, when appropriate, MRD therapy for patients of Sleep Specialists including:
- Snorers who receive complaints from their bed partner but who do not have OSA
- Upper Airways Resistance Syndrome patients with associated morning headache
- Mild and moderate OSA patients
- Non-compliant, severe OSA patients