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.

00:00 Introduction to Airway and Wellness Series

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