Founder of Snoring Isn't Sexy, LLC Urges All Dentists to Screen Their Patients for Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Because obstructive sleep apnea is reaching almost epidemic proportions in the United States, Snoring Isn't Sexy, LLC announces an initiative to have all dentists screen their patients for both snoring and sleep apnea.
New York, NY (Vocus/PRWEB ) June 2, 2009 -- Because obstructive sleep apnea is reaching almost epidemic proportions in the United States, Snoring Isn't Sexy, LLC announces an initiative to have all dentists screen their patients for both snoring and sleep apnea.
It has been estimated that in the United States alone 20 million men, women and children suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. Millions more snore. Of these 20 million, only about 10% have been diagnosed despite the fact that the average life span of an untreated sleep apneic is years less than those without sleep apnea. Snoring and sleep apnea have been related to heart disease, heart attacks, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, obesity, depression and erectile dysfunction as well as vehicular accidental injury and death. The increased medical costs of those with untreated sleep apnea are estimated to be in the billions a year.
In an editorial published in Sleep and Breathing, Vol. 13, No. 1, February, 2009 entitled The recognition and management of sleep-breathing disorders: a mandate for dentistry, Dr. Barsh made the following point "Oral appliance therapy (for the treatment of snoring and sleep apnea) has been accepted as an alternative or supplement to CPAP in some instances and yet the public and many dentists remain unaware of the vital role of the dentist as part of the healthcare team for the recognition and management of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea." In a recent interview, Dr. Barsh added "Because of the close relationship of dentists with our patients, we are in an ideal position to screen our patients for snoring and sleep apnea and either become involved in the management of the problems or refer our patients to those who are. "
Barsh is a past-president of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) and is speaking at the Annual Meeting of the AADSM in Seattle on June 5, 2009.
About Snoring Isn't Sexy, LLC
Laurence I. Barsh, DMD, Founder of Snoring Isn't Sexy, LLC, and has been involved with sleep medicine since 1992. He now devotes full time to educating the public about dentistry's role and responsibility in the recognition and management of snoring and sleep apnea.
Dr. Barsh and the dentists associated with Snoring Isn't Sexy, LLC feel strongly that management of sleep-breathing disorders is a shared responsibility of both the medical and dental professions.
Snoring Isn't Sexy, LLC consists of independently owned and operated affiliated offices. Visit http://www.SnoringIsntSexy.com for a directory of all participating dentists.
Contact:
Laurence I Barsh, DMD
888.203.0488
www.SnoringIsntSexy.com
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