How Undiagnosed Sleep Apnea Is Hiding in Your Dental Chair
In this episode, Dr. Michael Bennett and Cathy Bennett introduce a new series on the interconnectedness of airway health and overall wellness, particularly focusing on the importance of dental screenings for sleep-related breathing disorders. The discussion highlights the significance of dental health as a gateway to detecting sleep apnea, which often goes undiagnosed and can lead to severe health consequences like Alzheimer's, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and more. They stress the role of dentists in early detection and the benefits of treating sleep apnea for improved healthcare outcomes. The episode underscores the barriers dentists face in incorporating sleep screening into their practice and the need for a team-oriented approach to overcome these challenges. Finally, they advocate for rebranding dental hygiene exams as comprehensive wellness screenings to better serve patient health.
00:44 The Importance of Dental Visits for Health Screening
01:30 Identifying Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders
03:35 The Silent Epidemic of Undiagnosed Sleep Apnea
06:10 Economic and Health Impacts of Sleep Disorders
06:58 Barriers to Dental Screening for Sleep Disorders
09:57 The Role of Dentists in Sleep Disorder Screening
12:47 Holistic Wellness and the Importance of Sleep
15:56 Conclusion: Implementing Sleep Screenings in Dental Practice
Michael Bennett, DDS, PhD
Board-Certified Dentist | Healthcare Professions Educator
Empowering total health through airway-focused dentistry
Advanced Dental Care – Dr. Bennett’s clinical practice and patient-centered services
Connect on LinkedIn – Join the movement for airway-first, total health dentistry
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