Tennessee is Now The 10th Most Obese State in The Nation, According to Trust for America’s Health, Affecting 31.1 Percent of Adults

Numerous studies linking obesity to OSA have dentists attending dental continuing education courses with Sleep Group Solutions, to learn screening and treatment methods for snoring and sleep apnea patients.  Nashville, TN Dental Sleep Medicine lecture is on June 6-7th.

(Nashville, TN) According to the Trust for America’s Health, Tennessee is now the 10th most obese state in the nation. After three decades of increases, adult obesity rates remained level in every state except for Arkansas. However, rates remain high — Tennessee’s adult obesity rate is 31.1 percent, up from 25.0 percent in 2003 and from 11.1 percent in 1990.  Dentists are commonly the first line of defense in identifying possible sleep apnea patients, and Sleep Group Solutions teaches dentists how to implement a sleep apnea protocol.  Tennessee area dentists are encouraged to attend the Nashville Dental Sleep Medicine Lecture on June 6-7th at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Casino with Dr. Dawne Slabach.

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions and has long been considered a dominating factor in as many as 50 percent of OSA patients.  Neck circumference, which is a surrogate marker for obesity, is also predictive of OSA:  >17” neck for males and > 16” neck for females.  Dr. Dawne Slabach, a dentist and Dental Sleep Medicine expert from Worthington, OH screens and treats patients regularly for OSA, and sees a definite connection between OSA and obese patients.  “We know that the multiple arousals associated with OSA interrupt the endocrine system in such a way that many hormones associated with obesity, appetite, and metabolism are affected.  This lead me to ask the question of, could there be a bilateral association with obesity and sleep disordered breathing?  And the answer is, yes.” 

With an evident bilateral association between obesity and sleep disordered breathing, screening patients who are obese or have high blood pressure, hypertension, diabetes, or who snore, are of utmost importance.  “Weight loss is also recommended as a treatment option for the management of OSA, but with limited success.”  says Dr. Dawne Slabach, an instructor with Sleep Group Solutions, who is lecturing at the Nashville, TN Dental Sleep Medicine seminar.  “Depending on the severity of the OSA, many cases can be effectively treated with an oral device, which keeps the airway open during sleep, allowing for airflow and oxygen.”

Dentists are attending dental ce courses with Sleep Group Solutions, to learn their role in the treatment of snoring and sleep apnea.  The Nashville, TN course with Dr. Dawne Slabach is June 6-7th at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Casino Hilton, Dentists and Hygienists are encouraged to attend.  To learn more about screening patients for snoring and sleep apnea, attend a  live lecture with Sleep Group Solutions, and learn your role.  Upcoming lectures.

About Dr. Dawne Slabach

Dr. Dawne Slabach has a clinical practice focused on Sleep-Disordered Breathing, TMJ disorders and orthodontics. Her passion for treating patients comes from her own personal experiences with all three areas of treatment. Dr. Slabach received her B.S. in Biochemistry in 1984 and her Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1988, both from the Ohio State University. She is a Diplomate in the Academy of Sleep Disorders Disciplines, Distinguished Fellow in the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain and a Certified Assistant Instructor for the International Association of Orthodontics. She is also a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine and an assistant instructor for Rondeau Seminars. She has been practicing and teaching Dental Sleep Medicine for the past 9 years.

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.  SGS is the manufacturer of the Eccovision Systems Rhinometer and Pharyngometer, and offers Home Sleep Testing devices from Watermark Medical.