Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the #1 untreated chronic disease in America. It is estimated that over 10% of the people suffer from this disease and most don’t even know what it is, or that they have it.
People who suffer from this disease have interruptions in their breathing during their sleep. This keeps them from getting enough good sleep. If left untreated OSA can lead to high blood pressure, strokes, acid reflux, diabetes and even death.
The following is a screening test for Obstructive Sleep Apnea :
- Do you snore?
- Are you excessively tired during the day?
- Have you been told you stop breathing during sleep?
- Do you have a history of high blood pressure?
- Is your neck size > 17 inches (male) or >16 inches (female)?
“Yes” to 2 or more of these questions is a positive screen for OSA. Please contact our office, as you may need a sleep study.
If you would like more information about Obstructive Sleep Apnea, I would like to refer you to the website of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) www.aadsm.org/
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Millions of people are so afraid to go to the dentist that they literally don’t go until it has gotten really bad. Unfortunately, they don’t realize that they are not alone, as people are very reluctant to share this phobia, even with their friends. They think that they alone have this problem and are embarrassed about it.
We try to validate this situation, be understanding and non-judgemental with these people. We also offer them drugs!! In our office we use a little blue pill (not that one) to help people relax and “forget” about the treatment they are about to undergo. Most people report that they do not even remember being in the office for their procedure. The risk is minimal and we are all trained and licensed for any unexpected events.
We also encourage people undergoing major treatment, (multiple teeth and several hour appointments) to use oral sedation to help make the long visit easier. Most people take the medication 1 hour before the appointment and need someone to drive them to and from the office. This is very common in our office as we are always doing major cases, but we got a great big laugh when Wimberly showed up in our office this week for her appointment wearing the following sign:
front
back
When we showed Wimberly the photos, she told us that she did not remember making the signs. All kidding aside, oral sedation is a great adjunct to today’s dentistry for any one apprehensive about their dental work or facing long appointments.
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I just returned from Boston last week where I attended the annual meeting of the International Association of Comprehensive Aesthetics. The annual IACA Conference offers a variety of different lectures and hands-on workshops that are presented by world renowned professionals in their respective fields. There were attendees from all over the United States, Canada, and Australia. Conference attendees develop comprehensive aesthetic treatment skills, network with a wide variety of health care professionals and are introduced to proven practice management techniques, all of which lead to the common goal of building a successful comprehensive aesthetic approach.
The Las Vegas Institute of Advanced Dental Studies (LVI) partners with the IACA for their instuctor workday. 
I am very proud to be a clinical instructor for LVI for the last 6 years. As a ‘Thank You” to the instructors, we were treated to a private tour and dinner of the JKF Presidential Library.
I was also very proud and humbled to receive the the 2010 LVI Mentor of the Year award. This was a total surprise to me as all awards are not release until the annual meeting. This was a great meeting where I learned a lot, and enjoyed the company of many of my colleagues. I am already looking forward to next year’s meeting in San Diego.
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There will be major announcement this next month regarding the Pure Power Mouthguard, (PPM) for which I am a provider. The PPM has been used a lot by elite athletes in many sports to improve balance, range of motion and power.
We have fitted several football players at Texas A&M, Bobby Bramhall, professional baseball pitcher; and Brad Lardon, Director of Golf at Miramont Country Club.
The PGA will be endorsing the PPM mouthpiece, and we should have this deal completed by August, 2010. This deal was supposed to have this deal done in May of 2010, however , there was a glitch which is now working in our favour. 
The PPM had to be approved by the USGA, a body which allows devices to be approved , as long as it is not a direct advantage to PGA players on the tour, according to their ruling sec, 14.3.
They rejected the PPM, because the USGA, has determined that PPM would be a direct advantage to golfers who use this product on the PGA tour. How about that for validity! The USGA has made an exception to the PPM, that in order for a golfer to use it on the PGA tour, that they will need a written diagnosis from a dentist that the golfer has TMJ issues. Now , a golfer that wants to use it on the tour has to see a dentist for a diagnosis! So , now because of this exception , the PGA will now endorse the PPM. We have always said that golfers will benefit the most, and it is turning out to be true.
I wear a PPM myself when I play golf, and can attest to the claims of increased flexability and balance. It has improved my game, (although some of the poeple that I play with might dispute that!!)
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I didn’t know if I was in trouble or if there was trouble in the office. Kimm then introduced me to Officer Albert Neveu. Officer Neveu explained to me that he is a member of the Neighborhood Enforcement Team (NET), and is assigned to our neighborhood. Bryan Police Chief Eric Buske has implemented this program to build partnerships with Bryan residents, business owners and religious leaders to foster better community involvement in problem solving.
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