Everyday Patient Sleep Disorders: 
Evaluating and Treating Within the Dawson Philosophy

Presented by Dr. Richard Coker

According to the Institute of Medicine’s 461 page report released in April 2006 entitled “Sleep Disorders and Sleep Deprivation: An Unmet Public Health Problem” an estimated 50-70 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It is estimated that more than 40 million cases go undiagnosed and untreated with potentially life threatening consequences.  According to the National Sleep Foundation, and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM):

 •

 28% of men over the age of 65 suffer from sleep apnea
 •

 Up to 50% of sleep apnea patients have high blood pressure
 •

 Risk for heart attack and stroke may also increase in those with sleep apnea
 •

 Nearly 60 percent of Americans suffer from daytime sleepiness, a side effect of sleep apnea
 •

 Each year, sleep disorders add an estimated $15.9 billion to the national health care bill

The published guidelines of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) state that oral devices are appropriate treatment of mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea and for those patients who fail other treatments such as CPAP therefore bringing sleep medicine into the realm of dentistry.  This course is a timely review of relevant clinical topics and offers a comprehensive background in sleep medicine, oral appliance therapy and practice management and will allow attendees to begin to implement a dental sleep medicine component into daily practice.

   
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
 •

 Understand the Basics of Dental Sleep Medicine
 •

Describe the dental and medical terminology associated with sleep medicine and oral appliance therapy
 •

Implement a screening process into your new and existing patient examination
 •

Understand how to develop positive relationships with a sleep laboratory and sleep physicians
 •

Utilize medical billing codes for insurance reimbursement
 •

Develop skills necessary to understand polysomnograms and ambulatory testing and confidently discuss the results with sleep physicians
 •

Take a bite registration using the George Gauge
 •

Understand how to sequence treating sleep disorders into a restorative treatment plan
 •

Evaluate analyze and comprehend polysomnogram reports and understand the necessity of medical evaluation and importance of a multidisciplinary team approach to treating snoring and OSA
 •

Identify and describe the various treatment options, focusing on the various types of oral appliances available.
 •

Describe the mechanisms of action of various types of oral appliances as well as the indications, contraindications, complications and side effects associated with their use
 • Apply practical concepts for building and developing a successful dental sleep medicine practice component of your practice, including an overview of informed consent, relationships with physicians, sources of patient referrals, follow-up with current patients, record keeping, and medical insurance billing.

Date & Location:
Call for dates and times

Class Hours
Day 1 & 2 – 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Day 3 – 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Tuition & Credits
$3,400 per dentist
CE Credits:20

Instructor
Rick Coker, DDS

Prerequisite
Core Curriculum

Target Audience
General Dentists
Specialists