Screening and Comprehensive Evaluation for SRBD, Performed by Dentists in Everyday Clinical Practice

Abstract

Background: The role of the dentist in screening patients at risk for sleep disorders and treating those diagnosed with sleep apnea is well positioned. The purpose of this study is to introduce the methods of screening and detailed evaluation of the risk of developing sleep apnea in dental patients.
Methods: Methods of screening using questionnaires such as ESS, STOP-BANG test and other questions are presented in this study. Once it has been determined that a patient is at risk of sleep apnea, a trained dentist can and should perform a clinical recognition and must be acquainted with the clinical findings that may indicate the risk for sleep apnea. A detailed evaluation assessing wide variety of factors not only in the oral cavity, but also extraoral – the TMJ, muscles, the head and neck posture, the organs of upper airways aims to focus the dentist’s attention to a possible higher risk 100 of sleep apnea.
Results: Studies have shown that when a dentist is properly trained to evaluate for a sleep disorder by methods of screening and clinical recognition, the chances of uncovering one rapidly increase.
Conclusions: Becoming aware of conditions involving the head and neck that may indicate an increased level of risk for sleep apnea and higher understanding of those conditions is essential for optimum patient care and may lead to improved quality of life for dental patients.