Photo by Ray Bryant , Bryant Studios
Sleep Dallas is a unique multi-disciplinary group that includes Dr . Kent Smith , who is board-certified in dental sleep medicine , Dr . Marie Dibra , a board-certified sleep physician , and nurse practitioner Katie Collier .
tients are unaware that they have it or do not suspect that their suffering is the result of a sleep disorder . Sometimes , sleep partners are the first to detect the symptoms of sleep apnea . They may report interrupted sleep , distress , and discord related to their partner ’ s persistent snoring , bruxism , chronic fatigue , irritability , frequent need to get up to urinate , or nighttime gasping or choking .
The patient may notice a headache , dry mouth , or sore throat in the morning , or experience excessive daytime sleepiness and inability to concentrate . Roughly half of all individuals with sleep apnea also experience depression and anxiety . Unfortunately , OSA is potentially dangerous when left untreated and can lead to high blood pressure , stroke , and diabetes .
According to the CDC , about 63 % of all Americans visited a dentist in the past year . As oral health experts who spend extended time examining and observing the oral cavity , dentists are uniquely positioned to identify the warning signs of sleep apnea . In fact , the ADA adopted the stance five years ago that dentists should be screening for sleep apnea .
Sleep apnea often goes undiagnosed , since many patients are unaware that they have it or do not suspect that their suffering is the result of a sleep disorder .
When taking patient health histories , dentists can screen patients for OSA-related symptoms such as daytime sleepiness , morning headache , nocturia , nocturnal choking or gasping , or loud or irregular snoring or breathing pauses during sleep reported by a bed partner . The Epworth Sleepiness Scale or STOP-Bang questionnaire may be useful assessment tools for identifying sleep apnea risk factors .
Clinical examinations may identify features such as obesity ; large , wrinkled , or scalloped tongue or enlarged tonsils ; mandibular retrognathia or micrognathia ; signs of acid reflux ; signs of bruxism ; constricted or vaulted palate ; or large neck
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