Trend in Dentistry: Growing practice and raising awareness in 2011
Around the US, dentists and orthodontists are among the small group of practitioners stepping up to treat the deadly disease, OSA (obstructive sleep apnea). Working in conjunction with Sleep Doctors, dentists are treating patients with OSA, eliminating many of the health issues diagnosed by primary care physicians. ?OSA is a cause of so many other conditions but frequently nobody is looking for the cause–high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, depression, as well as others can be caused by OSA. Oxygen is a far better drug than the ones many of these people are taking.? comments Ohio dentist, Doctor Dawne Slabach from Craniofacial Care Center, on treating OSA.
Dr. Dawne is among the growing trend of dentists integrating sleep medicine in their existing practice. Her practice continues to screen each patient, and get referred out for diagnosis and medical co-treatment for when necessary. ?Sleep dentistry is the most rewarding and least stressful part of my practice. I like being able to treat the whole patient, not just teeth and mouths. OSA helps explain some of the challenges we have in general dentistry.? Dr. Dawne shares. Sleep Medicine continues to make up a large piece of her dental practice.
Another Ohio dentist, Dr. Mark Levy from StoneRidge Dental Care has seen his practice transition to focusing on dental treatments for OSA. His traditional practice is currently 80% sleep medicine. ?It’s an exploding field (sleep medicine). I’ve been in practice over 30 years, and I’ve never seen anything happen like this…I have made my patients healthier overall, and have managed to save numerous marriages, by eliminating snoring!? comments Dr. Levy on his efforts in treating sleep apnea in his practice. His advice to other dentists looking to treat the disease: Get good training, both clinically and administratively. “You can’t do it properly without.”
With the help of technology and continuing education, more dentists are beginning to treat and screen Sleep Apnea effectively. Companies such as Sleep Group Solutions offer advanced acoustic diagnostic imaging, home sleep test, in office training and seminars to raise awareness of OSA and get doctor involvement. ?Dentists are screening a lot of patients with OSA through our home sleep test, and the new iphone app. Awareness is definitely on the rise, and that?s the first step.? Says John Nadeau, Vice President of Sleep Group Solutions. With a proven track record of success, education, and technology-It?s no wonder why Sleep Group Solutions has the largest Medical/ Dental sleep apnea treatment network in the world.
About Dr. Dawne Slabach
Dr. Slabach was awarded Fellowship in the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain at their annual meeting in Denver on July 28, 2006. Dr. Dawne is founder of Craniofacial Care Centre in Worthington, OH. The practice focuses on orthodontics, TMJ disorders and craniofacial pain, and sleep disorder dentistry. Dr. Dawne received her D.D.S from the Ohio State University College of Dentistry. Please call 614-781-2322 to contact Dr. Dawne, log onto DrdDawneSlabach.com.
About Dr. Mark Levy
Dr. Mark Levy is the co-founder of StoneRidge Dental Care, and is an expert in the latest dental technologies and has developed a keen interest in TMJ treatment as well as Sleep Apnea therapy. Dr. Levy has received most of his advanced training at The Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI) and remains one of a handful of Central Ohio dentists with years of experience in Neuromuscular Dentistry. He has completed extensive cosmetic training at LVI and is especially sensitive to the blend of beauty and function. He is a graduate of The Ohio State University College of Dentistry and a member of the IACA, AADSM, ICCMO. Please call 614-476-6696 to contact Dr. Levy, or log onto: StoneRidgeDentalCare.com for more information.
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 who present with allergy, sinus congestion, rhinitis, deviated septum, nasal polyps, snoring and sleep apnea. Most procedures are reimbursed by Medicare and private insurance. 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.