Are general dental practitioners effective in the management of non-apnoeic snoring using mandibular advancement appliances?
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Updated: Jun 24, 2026

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Published on: December 6, 2016
S K J Church1, S J Littlewood, A Blance
1Manor Hospital, Moat Road, Walsall, West Midlands, WS2 9PS. s.church@nhs.net
Objective:
This study assessed the effectiveness of general dental practitioners (GDPs) in the management of subjects with non-apnoeic snoring using a mandibular advancement appliance (MAA), following a one day training course.
Subjects And Methods:
Sixty subjects suffering from simple, non-apnoeic snoring were treated by 15 GDPs, in three hospital centres, using a monobloc mandibular advancement appliance design. All GDPs attended a one day training course prior to the study which covered theoretical and practical training in the use of mandibular advancement appliances. Snoring and level of disturbance were assessed using a questionnaire completed by their sleeping partner before and after a three month treatment period. Daytime sleepiness was assessed by the patients using the Epworth sleepiness scale questionnaire (ESS) before and after a three month treatment period. In addition, patients completed an outcome questionnaire, to assess side-effects experienced from the MAA.
Results:
A success rate of 48% (95% CI 0.35, 0.61) was achieved in partner-assessed snoring and disturbance levels, following a three month period of MAA treatment. The median ESS score reduced from 9 to 7.5 (95% CI 0, 3). General dental practitioners experienced problems during protrusive bite registrations, with 10% being judged inadequate.
Conclusion:
GDPs were not effective in the management of non-apnoeic snoring using a monobloc appliance after a one day training course. Further training and/or selection of a different design of appliance should be considered for GDPs to become highly competent in this area.
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