A View From 10,000 Feet: Understanding Sleep Apnea in Orthodontics

Welcome to the Hey Docs! Podcast with your host Jill Allen. I am excited to have Dr. David McCarty from Empowered Sleep Apnea joining me today. Dr. McCarty will be discussing the connection between sleep apnea and orthodontics, the red flags orthodontists should look out for in their exam, and innovative tools for diagnosing and managing sleep apnea in your practice. There is a lot to cover. Let’s get into it! Summary Dr. David E McCarty shares his journey into the field of sleep apnea and the complexity of the condition. He explains the different types of sleep apnea, including obstructive and central sleep apnea, and how they can coexist. Dr. McCarty emphasizes the need for a collaborative approach to understanding and treating sleep apnea, involving both healthcare providers and patients. He discusses the challenges in defining and diagnosing sleep apnea and the importance of deconstructing the condition to tailor treatment plans. Dr. McCarty also highlights the evolving nature of sleep medicine and the need for continued education and awareness. The conversation explores the need for cross-collaboration and a holistic approach to sleep apnea treatment. It emphasizes the importance of breaking down silos and creating a common language among healthcare providers. The Empowered Sleep Apnea project is introduced as an educational platform to facilitate this collaboration. The conversation also discusses red flags for sleep apnea and screening tools that can be used in a dental office. The importance of understanding the development of the airway and face is highlighted, as well as the potential for new technologies in the field. https://www.empoweredsleepapnea.com/ https://www.facebook.com/@EmpoweredSleepApnea https://www.instagram.com/empowered_sleep_apnea/ https://www.empoweredsleepapnea.com/the-book Takeaways Sleep apnea is a complex condition that requires a collaborative approach between healthcare providers and patients.There are different types of sleep apnea, including obstructive and central sleep apnea, which can coexist.The diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea require deconstructing the condition and tailoring treatment plans to individual patients.The field of sleep medicine is constantly evolving, and continued education and awareness are essential.Cross-collaboration and a holistic approach are essential in the treatment of sleep apnea.Breaking down silos and creating a common language among healthcare providers is crucial.The Empowered Sleep Apnea project is an educational platform that promotes collaboration and knowledge sharing.Screening tools, such as Ferris Six, can be used in dental offices to identify potential sleep apnea cases.Understanding the development of the airway and face is important in addressing sleep apnea.New technologies, such as nasal rhinometry, capnography, and sleep image devices, show promise in sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment.Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background03:03 Understanding Sleep Apnea07:10 The Importance of Collaboration10:09 Deconstructing Sleep Apnea19:30 Challenges for Younger Doctors23:16 The Evolution of Sleep Medicine26:45 Introduction to the Need for Cross-Collaboration29:23 Screening Tools for Sleep Apnea in Dental Offices31:19 Identifying Red Flags for Sleep Apnea34:24...