Oklahoma Dentists’ Dr. Gene Drake and Dr. Jayson Voto are Saving Lives by Screening and Treating Patients for Sleep Apnea and Snoring

Dr. Drake and Dr. Voto from Drake, Voto and Associates in Owasso, OK, aren’t your typical dentists. Although extremely familiar with crowns and bridges, cavities and cosmetics, this dental practice is redefining the dental industry, one snoring patient at a time. According to the Sleep Association, over 80% of people remain undiagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea, and it’s assumed more physicians would implement greater OSA screening protocols. Interestingly enough, dentists such as Dr. Drake and Dr. Voto are among the small group of practitioners stepping up, to offer Oral Appliance Therapy to treat patients for snoring and Sleep Apnea.

With the help of technology, and dental continuing education courses from Sleep Group Solutions, Dr. Drake and Dr. Voto have established a proper sleep protocol, which includes patient screening, home sleep testing for diagnostic, Oral Appliance Therapy, and the use of a special screening and titration technology called the Pharyngometer and the Rhinometer. “I’ve done the restorative part of dentistry for over 34 years, but treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea, I can say I have changed peoples lives, and this is very rewarding to me,” says Dr. Drake, who attended a Sleep Group Solutions course in 2012 with his partner Dr. Voto. Dr. Drake made his first oral appliance years ago for a patient who was nervous to fly due to her heavy snoring. “I later found out from my SGS training, that I had treated her for Obstructive Sleep Apnea. A few months later she came back in, and not only did we cure her snoring, but she was more rested in the morning, blood pressure was down, lost a few pounds, and she felt better than she had in a long time due to a more restful nights sleep.” Dr. Voto and Dr. Drake have been offering treatment ever since.

Physical and mental manifestations of Obstructive Sleep Apnea include weight gain, hormonal imbalances, headaches, inability to concentrate, depression, hypertension and high blood pressure, to name a few. Dr. Voto and Dr. Drake are using custom fabricated oral appliances to treat patients, which hold the mandible in place, allowing for oxygen to pass through without any obstructions or blockages. This technique is called Oral Appliance Therapy, and is a proven method of treatment, yielding high patient compliance rates. “I’m excited to be able to offer my help in treating such a serious and potentially life threatening condition. Not only can we improve a patient’s health, we can also greatly enhance their quality of life. People who are at risk, should be tested. Our take home sleep test makes this process simple,” says Dr. Jayson Voto. If you snore, or have any of the symptoms listed above, please call Drake, Voto and Associates for an initial screening appointment. Their office is located at 8819 N. 145th E Ave in Owasso, OK, and they can be reached online at DrakeVotoDDS.com, or at 918-272-5381.

About Drake, Voto and Associates

At Drake & Voto Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we take singular care of you and your family during each and every visit. No matter what kind of cosmetic, preventive, or restorative dentistry you need, we will always go the extra mile for your smile! Dr. Gene Drake and Dr. Jayson Voto provide an array of family and cosmetic dentistry options, as well as treating Sleep Apnea and Snoring.

Dr. Gene Drake graduated in 1974 with a degree in zoology from Oklahoma State University before heading to the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry, graduating in 1979. He graduated with honors in pedodontics (children’s dentistry). He then started his practice in Owasso. In 2003 he built his current location, bringing Dr. Jayson Voto into his practice in 2006.

Dr. Jayson Voto began his education studying zoology, receiving his bachelor of science in the field in 1999 from the University of Oklahoma. Looking for a new challenge, he decided to study dentistry, and in 2006 he graduated from the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry. After graduation, Dr. Voto moved to Owasso and joined Dr. Drake.

About Sleep Group Solution

Sleep Group Solutions is an airway diagnostic technology company serving the needs of physicians and dentists interested in screening, diagnosing and treating sleep apnea and other upper airway disorders. Sleep Group Solutions offers the latest screening and diagnostic equipment solutions for patients with allergy, sinus congestion, rhinitis, deviated septum, nasal polyps, snoring and sleep apnea. SGS offers the most comprehensive dental sleep medicine CE seminars in the industry focused on teaching dentists the protocols needed to make the treatment of snoring and sleep apnea part of their practice.  Sleep Group Solutions offers sleep study interpretation, oral appliances (Norad Boil & Bite, Respire), online directory 1800SleepLab.com and online marketing for CPAP Intolerant patients (1800Sleeptest). SGS is the manufacturer of the Eccovision Systems Rhinometer and Pharyngometer, and offers Home Sleep Testing devices from Watermark Medical.