Screening for Sleep Breathing Disorder

Sleep breathing disorders, particularly Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), are prevalent and often underdiagnosed conditions that carry serious health consequences. As oral health professionals, dentists are in a unique and strategic position to play a frontline role in the early detection and management of these disorders. Given their regular evaluation of the orofacial complex, dentists can recognize clinical signs that may indicate compromised airway function during sleep.

Features such as a retruded jaw, narrow palate, enlarged tongue, scalloped tongue edges, tonsillar hypertrophy, worn dentition from bruxism, and reports of dry mouth or morning headaches can all be potential red flags. Patients may also report symptoms such as loud snoring, gasping for air during sleep, or excessive daytime fatigue. These presentations can easily be observed or discussed during routine dental visits—making the dental office an ideal setting for preliminary screening.

By integrating screening protocols and working collaboratively with sleep physicians, dentists can play a significant role in improving patient outcomes, preventing systemic complications, and expanding their scope of care in a meaningful, medically relevant way.

Learning Objectives:

1. Recognize the importance of screening for sleep breathing disorders in dental practice and understand the systemic health implications of untreated Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
2. Identify anatomical and clinical indicators of potential airway compromise during routine dental examinations, including signs such as bruxism, scalloped tongue, retrognathia, and narrow dental arches.
3. Incorporate airway screening protocols and patient education strategies into routine dental visits to improve early detection and care coordination.