Health Care : Current Reviews

Craniofacial Sleep Medicine: The important role of Dental providers in detecting and treating sleep disordered breathing in children

5^th International Conference on HEALTHCARE AND HEALTH MANAGEMENT

December 07, 2022 | Dubai, UAE

Tammarie Heit

Avalon Dental, Canada

Keynote: Health Care Curr Rev

Abstract:

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a clinical disorder within the spectrum of Sleep- Related Breathing Disorders (SRDB) which is used to describe abnormal breathing during sleep resulting in gas exchange abnormalities and/or sleep disruption. OSA is a highly prevalent disorder with associated sequelae across multiple physical domains, overlapping with other chronic diseases, affecting development in children as well as increased health care utilization. More precise and per- sonalized approaches are required to treat the complex constellation of symptoms with its associated comorbidities since not all children are cured by surgery (removal of the adenoids and tonsils). Given that dentists manage the teeth throughout the lifespan and have an important understanding of the anatomy and physiology involved with the airway from a dental perspective, it seems reasonable that better understanding and management from their field will give the opportunity to provide better integrated and optimized outcomes for children affected by OSA. With the emergence of therapies such as mandibular advancement devices and maxillary expansion, etc., dentists can be involved in providing care for OSA along with sleep medicine doctors. Furthermore, the evolving role of myofunctional therapy may also be indicated as adjunctive therapy in the management of children with OSA. The objective of this article is to discuss the important role of dentists and the collaborative approach between dentists, allied dental professionals such as myofunctional therapists, and sleep medicine specialists for identifying and managing children with OSA. Prevention and anticipatory guidance will also be addressed.
Recent Publication :
1. Heit T, Tablizo BJ, Salud M, Mo F, Kang M, Tablizo MA, Witmans M. Craniofacial Sleep Medicine: The Important Role of Dental Providers in Detecting and Treating Sleep Disordered Breathing in Children. Children (Basel). 2022 Jul 15;9(7):1057. doi: 10.3390/ children9071057. PMID: 35884041; PMCID: PMC9323037.

Biography :

Tammarie Heit is a Clinical General Dentist who practices all Areas of general Dentistry with a special interest of cranio facial development and optimization in patients of all ages. In her 25 year career, her major accomplishment is the practice of cranio facial sleep medicine to reduce, eliminate and prevent obstructive sleep apnea and pain along with general dentistry in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. She is a published author, an International Speaker and a Clinical Scientist and Researcher collaboratively with medical specialists. She is an Integrated Clinical Advisor in the Vivos® Integrated Healthcare Network where she leads a multidisciplinary team of medical doctors, general dentists. She is a Master at The International College of Craniomandibular Orthopedics (iccmo.org). A consultant at Vivos Therapeutics and on the clinical advisory board since the inception of the company, she works with clinicians from around the world to conduct certified research and develop clinical protocols for the treatment of cranio facial developmental deficiencies that can result in sleep apnea and cranio facial pain. Tammarie Heit practices collaboratively with all specialties in Medicine and promotes multidisciplinary collaboration in the clinic as an effective tool to help patients in all practices.Tammarie Heit promotes collaboration between clinicians and academics and appreciates all roles as vital for progress in any and all fields of study.