While a diagnosis of OSA is usually made by a physician, the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that dentists should screen for OSA and other sleep-related disorders that can shorten their patients’ lives. As described by the ADA, the policy offers guidance for dentists.
- Assessing the risk of children and adults for sleep-related breathing disorders as part of a comprehensive medical history.
- Staying up-to-date on dental sleep medicine research and training.
- Communicating with other health care providers on the patient’s treatment after referral for a sleep-related breathing disorder.
The ADA policy also stated that dentists are “the only healthcare provider with the knowledge and expertise to provide oral appliance therapy,” a common and effective treatment for OSA¹.