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Oral Appliance Therapy Should be Prescribed as a First-Line Therapy for OSA during the COVID-19 Pandemic

8/2/2020

It is the position of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) that oral appliance therapy (OAT) should be prescribed as a first-line therapy for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) during the COVID-19 pandemic. This recommendation is being made based on the following information:
• The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) has indicated that PAP therapy potentially exposes individuals, especially those in proximity to the patient, to increased risk of transmission of COVI-19. A number of studies have found evidence that COVID-19 can remain suspended in the air in aerosol particles.
• It is unknown whether it is possible for patients to be re-infected from re-using PAP tubing, filters, and/or masks.
• There have been reported shortages of distilled water and other supplies necessary for optimal use of PAP machines.
• Oral appliances do not generate aerosols and can be easily disinfected by patients to kill the COVID-19 virus.
According to the AADSM and AASM clinical practice guideline, oral appliances should be prescribed for adult patients who prefer alternate therapy to PAP. During this pandemic, it is reasonable to assume that patients would prefer a therapy that both treats their OSA and does not increase the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Oral appliance therapy is an effective treatment for OSA without increased risks for transmitting COVID-19. Patients who prefer OAT may be more likely to adhere to treatment, if they are confident that their therapy is not putting those in their household at an increased risk for COVID-19 exposure. CITATION Schwartz D, Addy N, Levine M, Smith H. Oral appliance therapy should be prescribed as a first-line therapy for OSA during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Dent Sleep Med. 2020;7(3). REFERENCES 1. COVID-19: FAQs for Sleep Clinicians. https://aasm.org/covid-19- resources/covid-19-faq/. Accessed May 8, 2020. 2. Liu, Y., Ning, Z., Chen, Y. et al. Aerodynamic analysis of SARSCoV-2 in two Wuhan hospitals. Nature (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-2271-3 3. Ramar K, Dort LC, et al. Clinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Snoring with Oral Appliance Therapy: An Update for 2015 An American Academy of Sleep Medicine and American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline. J Dent Sleep Med. 2015;2(3). doi:10.15331/jdsm.4868 SUBMISSION AND CORRESPONDENCE INFORMATION Submitted in final revised form May 14, 2020. Address correspondence to: David Schwartz, DDS; Email: [email protected] DISCLOSURE STATEMENT All authors are members of the AADSM Board of Directors Executive Committee. Dr. Schwartz is a consultant of ResMed and has conducted lectures and speaking engagements for SomnoMed and ProSomnus Sleep Technologies.
David Schwartz, DDS1 ; Nancy Addy, DDS2 ; Mitchell Levine, DMD3 ; Harold Smith, DDS4 1North Shore Family Dentistry, Skokie, IL; 2Snoring and Sleep Apnea Dental Treatment Center, Leawood, KS; 3Department of Orthodontics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee; 4Dental Sleep Medicine of Indiana, Indianapolis, Indiana

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Adapting to the pandemic

4/12/2020

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Super Dentists®

2/13/2020

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www.superdentists.com/texas/dentist/Gregory-A-Osborne/495f6f9f-0a6a-4969-a14b-6e690d81c751.html

For the past 16 years, Super Dentists® has been honoring the top dentists in Texas as reported in Texas Monthly magazine. With his selection to the 2019 list, Dr. Osborne has joined an exclusive club of Hall of Fame dentists who have been selected 15 or more years.

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is sleep apnea genetic?

10/30/2019

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From your physical traits to your risk for developing various diseases or disorders, genetics plays a huge role in your appearance and your health. Because we treat patients with obstructive sleep apnea, a serious sleep disorder, we often get asked if sleep apnea is genetic. The answer? It can be!

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Can losing weight cure sleep apnea?

10/16/2019

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Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that can cause you to stop breathing up to hundreds of times each night while you sleep. In addition to triggering symptoms like daytime fatigue, irritability, headaches, and brain fog, sleep apnea can also increase your risk for high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease.

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Can't Sleep with cpap? this alternative may help!

10/2/2019

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If you have sleep apnea but hate your CPAP machine, you’re not alone. Some studies estimate that as many as 50 percent of folks using CPAP therapy don’t like the treatment, while other studies show that up to half of the people using CPAP machines stop using them within just a few weeks. At Sleep Easy Dentistry, we are proud to provide a CPAP alternative to patients throughout San Antonio.

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Does your child have sleep apnea?

9/18/2019

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Pediatric sleep apnea is a serious condition that can impact your child's ability to thrive. However, you can help your child get the relief they need by recognizing some of the common signs and symptoms of sleep apnea in children.

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What is telemedicine?

9/4/2019

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The future of medicine is calling -- will you answer?

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Celebrities with sleep apnea

8/20/2019

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While some of the symptoms of sleep apnea may make you feel isolated, you’re not alone: Doctors estimate that 22 million Americans experience sleep apnea. In fact, many celebrities experience sleep apnea and the resulting interrupted breathing, daytime fatigue, irritability, and other symptoms that you may be experiencing. Let’s take a closer look at some celebrities with sleep apnea who continue to excel!

Hollywood isn't exempt from sleep apnea -- many celebrities have sleep apnea!

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These Common Mistakes May be costing you a good night's sleep

8/7/2019

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Nothing is quite as restorative as a good night’s sleep. If it feels like it’s been years since you got a good night’s sleep, you’re not alone. Scientists estimate that around 80 million Americans experience sleep problems each year.

While sleep disorders like sleep apnea and chronic snoring may be keeping you from a restful sleep, sometimes problems sleeping simply require better sleep hygiene. Read on to learn if you're making a common mistake that is costing you a good night's sleep!

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Diplomate of the AADSM

Oral Appliance Therapy Should be Prescribed as a First-Line Therapy for OSA during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Adapting to the pandemic

Super Dentists®

is sleep apnea genetic?

Can losing weight cure sleep apnea?

Can't Sleep with cpap? this alternative may help!

Does your child have sleep apnea?

What is telemedicine?

Celebrities with sleep apnea

These Common Mistakes May be costing you a good night's sleep

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