Are you looking for a new dentist to look after you and your family? In this 10-part series of Interview Questions for Your New Dentist, we will go through the things you should be asking your new dentist before going ahead with them.

In today’s video, we will go through the question: What is their understanding about sleep apnea?

The most common form of sleep apnea is caused by a blockage of the airway during sleep. It is a pretty scary condition. The patient can stop breathing hundreds of times during the night.

A common treatment for sleep apnea is the use of a CPAP machine, which stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. CPAP involves blowing pressurised room air through the airway at high enough pressure to keep the airway open. Many patients find it difficult to adjust to this device and want to avoid surgery, which is another treatment option.

As an alternative, your dentist, working with your physician, can custom make a device that guides the lower jaw forward, called a mandibular advancement device or MAD. MAD devices are more comfortable to wear and the compliance rates are much higher than using CPAP.

If you have, or suspect you have sleep apnea, here are some questions to ask your dentist:

• • Are you a member of the Australian Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine?
  • Do you regularly attend the annual meeting of the Academy?
  • Do you work with Ear, Nose and Throat physicians and sleep physicians where appropriate?

You can also call sleep centres and ask them what dentists they can refer to in your area.

Sleep Apnea is potentially a very serious medical condition. It is important to do your research before you select a dentist to help treat it.

Here at Dental House Group, sleep apnea diagnosis is part of our comprehensive assessment. If you are at risk of sleep apnea, we will refer you to the right physician so that you are not at risk of other health issues.

I hope you found this video useful.

If you like what you see, and is looking for a new dentist to look after you and your family, all our dentists and therapists here at Dental House are very gentle and compassionate. We would love to look after you. Simply direct message us on social media, call us on 1800GENTLE, or fill in the enquiry form on our website, and we will be in touch.

See you in the next video!