Treating malocclusion to treat or prevent OSA: is it based on scientific data?

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Presenters

Dr Peter Norton BDS (Adel)

Dr Norton graduated from the University of Adelaide in 2004 where he was admitted to the Dean’s List and received academic prizes in Prosthodontics and Dental Clinical Practice.

Peter currently divides his time between rural and metropolitan practices,  He is a regular host, interviewer and moderator for digital CPD events and is a clinical media advisor to the Australian Dental Association.  When not practicing dentistry – Peter enjoys social tennis and volleyball.

Dr Fernanda Almeida DDS, MSc, Ph.D.

Dr Fernanda Almeida is an alumna of the University of British Columbia where she completed her Doctor of Philosophy (Dental Sciences) in 2005. Since 1996 she has been involved in oral appliance research and in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea. Her areas of research are oral appliance side effects, compliance, titration modalities, imaging, and treatment outcomes. In conjunction with UBC Dentistry faculty, Dr Almeida has designed an interdisciplinary dental sleep medicine program for the clinical specialty graduate program for the clinical specialty graduate programs in orthodontics and paediatric dentistry.

Dr Andrew Gikas BDSc, FADI, FPFA, FICD, MAICD

Andrew Gikas is a registered dentist and has been working in private practice in Oakleigh for many years. He is involved in teaching, clinical practice and held executive positions in both the Australian Dental Association and the Australasian Sleep Association.   He is currently running a part time oral appliance clinic for snoring and sleep apnea patients at Melbournes Alfred Hospital.

Synopsis

Dentists may be overestimating the correlation of malocclusion and the prevalence of sleep apnoea. Overdiagnosis and unwarranted treatments are a concern, and this lecture/webinar will look into the current understanding of the data and the where the science is leading us. Prof Almeida is a world-renowned dental sleep medicine expert and researcher and will share with us some of the current research projects she is undertaking and provide us with evidence-based recommendations on how to manage OSA in children.

Is it all about the airway?  Is treating that malocclusion going to cure or prevent sleep apnoea?

Learning outcomes:

  • Adult overdiagnosis and unwanted treatments.
  • Paediatric sleep disordered breathing (definition, prevalence, and overdiagnosis).
  • Pathophysiology and craniofacial characteristics.
  • Craniofacial risk factors of children with OSA.
  • Recommendations on how to manage OSA in children.

Resources