Providing the First Line of Defense Against Sleep Breathing Disorders
Dental professionals are at the forefront of screening patients for potential sleep breathing disorders (SBDs) and dental hygienists typically see patients more frequently than other medical providers. As prevention specialists, dental hygienists are able to assess patients and determine their risk for SBDs. Once the risk for an SBD is determined, dental hygienists can refer patients to their primary care provider or sleep specialist.
The most common SBD, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with several comorbidities, such as hypertension, depression, chronic fatigue, irregular heartbeat, obesity, and diabetes mellitus.1–3 Sleep is essential for keeping the body and mind balanced and helping the body adjust to internal changes.4,5
* References and figures can be found in the original article via the link above.
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