Dentists can help refer patients for sleep disorders

Dental Tribune International

Mon. 16. September 2024

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NEWARK, N.J., US: Sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnoea affect millions worldwide and are linked to considerable morbidity and mortality. A recent review study by researchers from Rutgers School of Dental Medicine in Newark has explored sleep neuroscience in dental care and found that dentists have a unique opportunity to screen for potentially life-threatening sleep conditions, which often go undiagnosed. The researchers have urged dental clinicians to learn more about sleep medicine in order to facilitate optimal care.

In a press release, lead author Dr Davis Thomas, a clinical associate professor at Rutgers, said: “Dentists can be the first line of defence in identifying sleep disorders. They often see [signs] long before physicians.”

Dental clinicians are in a prime position to notice early signs of sleep disorders, such as bruxism, tongue crenation or even dozing off in the dental chair, according to the researchers. These signs, combined with the patient’s history and simple screening tools, could enable dentists to identify at-risk patients with up to 80% accuracy.

The study recommends the use of simple protocols, such as incorporating sleep-related questions into patient history forms, and using validated screening tools like the STOP-BANG questionnaire, which assesses risk factors for obstructive sleep apnoea. The study also suggests training staff to recognise the physical signs of sleep disorders and establishing referral networks with sleep medicine specialists.

The review stresses the importance of shifting from a focus solely on oral health to a more holistic view of patient well-being, calling for a more integrated approach to patient care. By identifying patients with sleep disorders, dentists can facilitate early intervention, potentially preventing complications such as hypertension, heart disease and stroke. Dental professionals may also play a crucial role in the management of sleep disorders, through modalities such as mandibular advancement devices and preventive and interceptive orthodontics, the authors suggested.

“We’re not asking dentists to diagnose sleep disorders,” Dr Thomas emphasised. “We’re asking them to recognise the signs and make appropriate referrals. This simple act can be lifesaving.”

This study marks a pivotal shift in the role of dental clinicians in broader healthcare and underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration. For dental practitioners, embracing these recommendations means expanding their role in patient health and contributing more actively to identifying and preventing serious health issues beyond the oral cavity.

The study, titled “The enigma of sleep: Implications of sleep neuroscience for the dental clinician and patient”, was published in the September 2024 issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association.