Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a chronic sleep-related breathing disorder that involves a decrease or complete halt in airflow despite an ongoing effort to breathe. This condition affects over 22 million Americans, with the vast majority of cases still undiagnosed. At least 38,000 people die annually from heart disease alone as a direct complication from OSA. Several signs and symptoms of OSA may have a dental root cause. In 2017, the American Dental Association created a new policy encouraging all dentists to screen and educate patients on OSA and its effects on their overall health. As healthcare professionals, the dental team has the unique opportunity to recognize patients who are at risk of developing OSA in order to help them lead healthy lives.
Learning Objectives:
Define and recognize the clinical signs and symptoms of OSA.
Understand how OSA affects everyday dentistry.
Acknowledge the unique role dentists and their staff play in the screening of OSA.
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