Obstructive sleep apnea is common and widely underdiagnosed, and the dental team is well positioned to identify patients at risk. This webinar reviews the clinical signs, symptoms, and the referral pathway to a sleep physician for diagnosis. It then covers the oral and dental evaluation that determines candidacy for oral appliance therapy, including contraindications, and closes with the mechanisms of action and principal categories of oral appliances used in treatment. According to the American Dental Association, dentists can and do play an important role in screening for OSA. The dental practitioner is part of the multidisciplinary team and the diagnosis remains with a board-certified sleep physician.

Learning Objectives:

✅ Identify patients with suspected obstructive sleep apnea.

✅ Assess oral health for suitability for oral appliance therapy.

✅ Describe the various mechanisms and types of oral appliances.