Strategies for integrating Sleep Medicine in Dental Practice and Postgraduate Training

JOURNAL TITLE: Indian Journal of Sleep Medicine

Author
1. Balakrishnan Jayan
2. Abhijeet Kadu
3. Oommen Nainan
4. Reena R Kumar
5. Probod K Chattopadhyay
ISSN
0973-340X
DOI
10.5005/jp-journals-10069-0007
Volume
12
Issue
3
Publishing Year
2017
Pages
6
Author Affiliations
    1. Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics Army Dental Centre (Research and Referral), New Delhi, India
    1. Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics Army Dental Centre (Research and Referral), New Delhi, India
    1. Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Divya Jyoti College of Dental Sciences & Research, Modinagar, Uttar Pradesh, India
    1. Department of Orthodontics, Office of Director General Medical Services (Navy), New Delhi, India
    1. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Army Dental Centre (Research and Referral), New Delhi, India
  • Article keywords
    Dental practice, Postgraduate training, Sleep medicine

    Abstract

    Dentistry's entry into the management of upper airway sleep disorders has led to the development of a new specialty, i.e., dental sleep medicine. This specialty involves oral appliance therapy (OAT) for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and snoring, maxillomandibular advancement surgeries to increase upper airway volume, assessment of craniofacial risk factors, cephalometric studies for craniofacial and airway evaluation, and prevention of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in children. Dentists trained in dental sleep medicine, orthodontists, and maxillofacial surgeons are recognized members of interdisciplinary team to manage upper airway sleep disorders. So it is of paramount importance for dental students and orthodontists to familiarize with the basic knowledge of upper airway sleep disorders and its management in order to contribute effectively in managing those affected patients. There is need to integrate dental sleep medicine in postgraduate orthodontic curriculum. The current status of this new and challenging discipline in India, the Armed Forces Medical College and Army Dental Centre (Research and Referral) experience, and strategies to build capacity are discussed in this article.

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