Bridging the Gap Between Dentistry & Sleep Medicine (w/Drs. Simmons & Carstensen) [Ep.90]

In this episode, I bring you a deep dive into sleep and airway disorders with two leading experts in the field, Dr. Jerry Simmons, a neurologist with a passion for sleep medicine, and Dr. Steve Carstensen, a renowned dentist who focuses on airway management in his patients.  

Join us as we explore their sleep and airway medicine journeys, discuss the complexities and spectrum of sleep-related breathing disorders, and highlight the importance of dental and medical collaboration. We delve into the epidemiology of sleep disorders, the shortcomings in medical and dental education regarding airway & sleep, the crucial role of early intervention, especially in children, and the C-GASP screening tool designed to simplify the detection of sleep disorders in pediatric patients. 

This episode is a must-watch/listen for healthcare professionals, parents, and anyone interested in understanding the critical intersection of sleep, airway health, and overall well-being.

00:53 Jerry's Journey into Sleep Medicine

07:06 Steve's Path to Dental Sleep Medicine

17:19 Challenges in Sleep Medicine Education

36:25 Understanding Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders

45:40 Critique of the 2019 AAO White Paper

46:29 Understanding Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

47:15 Snoring and Its Implications

49:32 The Crucial Role of Dentists in Identifying Sleep Disorders

53:12 The importance of Nasal Breathing

59:10 Diagnosing and Treating Pediatric Sleep Disorders

01:04:02 The Need for Better Screening Tools

01:06:33 Call to Action for Dentists and Physicians

01:18:50 Validation of the C-GASP Screener

01:27:06 Final Thoughts and Resources 

LINKS:

-Sleep Education Consortium for Dentists: https://dentalsleepconference.com/

-Sleep Education Consortium for Physicians: https://medicalsleepconference.com/

-C-GASP Screener Registration: https://airwayassessment.azurewebsites.net/register

-Jerry Simmons TED Talk: https://youtu.be/WoJ63AFmFyA?si=G9H7i38LZAzr-xlB
-Dental Sleep Practice Magazine:  https://dentalsleeppractice.com/

-Comprehensive Sleep Medicine Associates: https://www.csmaclinic.com/
-Dr. Simmons' Webinar: https://aapmd.org/event/transformative-advances-in-sleep-medicine-leading-innovations-from-the-womb-to-the-tombjerald-h-simmons-md