The Pankey Institute

Dental Sleep Medicine

Led by Drs. Steve Carstensen, Paul McLornan, John Remmers, Edward Zebovitz, and Ms. Christina LaJoie

It is estimated that more than 20% of Americans suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), Sleep-Disordered Breathing (SDB), and problems such as snoring and Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS). This translates to an enormous segment of our patient population being subject to the comorbidities of OSA, ranging from hypertension to congestive heart failure to stroke to early death from heart attack. Untreated SDB can also contribute to TMD, bruxism, GERD, and the destruction of the stomatognathic system, directly affecting our ability to predictably treat our dental patients.

This course will be comprised of lectures, demonstrations, and discussions. With the availability of the Pankey condominiums, the learning opportunities will continue with evening discussions, and participants will have the opportunity to wear a home sleep monitor, as well as adjust and wear their own oral appliance while at the course.

Learning objectives:

• An overview of normal human sleep and its systemic consequences.
• The medical model for diagnosis and treatment of SDB, including details of medical diagnostic (polysomnography) and treatment (CPAP) modalities.
• Dental screening for SDB, including questionnaires and dental, head and neck examination.
• A literature-based view of the design, effectiveness, and potential problems with oral appliance therapy.
• Home monitoring devices for initial screening and subsequent monitoring of mandibular advancement device (MAD) therapy.
• The relationship between SDB and GERD, bruxism, and TMD — pathophysiology and management .
• A no-nonsense view of surgical options and predictability.
• An introduction to pediatric sleep disorders and related comorbidities.
• The philosophy and realities of introducing dental sleep medicine into practice.

This course will open your eyes and hearts to an entirely new world of thinking. If you join us, you will long remember the experience as being the first step of the journey that will enrich the lives of your patients, as well as your own. If you think it's satisfying to help save someone's teeth, just wait until you've saved someone's life!

Prerequisite: None

Credits: 43 AGD lecture and participation hours

Tuition: $4,100
Lodging is available in the Pankey Lodge condos for $100 per person per night (two course participants per bedroom in a two or three bedroom condo). Single occupancy bedrooms are subject to availability for an additional charge. Lodging for this course may carry specific check-in and check-out parameters. Please contact our Student Services department before finalizing your travel.

Upcoming session: March 17-21, 2013 
Session runs Sunday 12:00 p.m. through Thursday 1:00 p.m.