Responsibilities of the dental profession in recognizing and treating sleep breathing disorders

The recognition and treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea are two medical areas where dentistry can play a valuable role. Oral appliance therapy has been accepted by the American Sleep Disorders Association as an appropriate treatment modality for some patients. It is essential, however, that dentists work as part of the treatment team and not assume responsibility for diagnosis and treatment without the involvement of a physician or sleep specialist. There are currently more than 35 different oral appliances on the commercial market designed to ameliorate the symptoms and/or treat snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. Dentists interested in pursuing this area should receive sufficient training and education and commit to the study of oral appliance therapy for sleep disordered breathing with the same intensity and integrity applied to the rest of their clinical practice.