North Shore District CE Meeting

Course Description:

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is a common but frequently underdiagnosed condition that dentists are uniquely positioned to help identify. Because patients often see their dentist more regularly than their physician, the dental team can play a pivotal role in early recognition and referral.

Information about the course :

This course reviews the essential terminology, epidemiology, risk factors, and comorbidities associated with SDB, with a focus on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Attendees will learn practical, chairside screening tools to identify at-risk patients, understand when and how to refer to a sleep physician, and explore the range of treatment options—including oral appliance therapy—available to help patients with SDB. The course also addresses the most common side effects of sleep appliances and evidence-based strategies to prevent and manage them.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Describe the fundamentals of sleep-disordered breathing, including its epidemiology and patient demographics

• Identify the key risk factors and comorbidities associated with SDB

• Apply validated screening tools to recognize patients at risk for SDB in the dental setting

• Compare the treatment modalities used to manage OSA

• Recognize the most common side effects of sleep appliances and apply methods to prevent them