S4S Dental Laboratory discusses the impact of snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea – how can you assist your patients with these issues?
Snoring affects 30 million people in the UK, causing disturbance for the bed partner and unrest for the snorer. Occasional snoring can be harmless and a lot of us do it. However, chronic snoring can have a significant impact on the sufferer. It may even be a symptom of a far more serious condition – obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).
OSA is estimated to affect 1.5 million people in the UK alone. However, little is known amongst the general public, leading to an estimated 85% of sufferers remaining undiagnosed.
With figures as startling as this, it is especially important to highlight to patients that you, their dentist, can provide a solution for snoring. Snoring is an often-taboo condition that people are embarrassed to admit to. It’s important to get conversations around the problem going in your practice.
The stats
- Almost half (45%) of the UK adult population suffer from snoring
- It is most prevalent in males aged 40-60 years old
- Two in five (42%) of people who snore, or whose partner snores, have not heard of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)
- An estimated 1.5 million people in the UK are thought to be suffering from OSA. Of these, 85% remain undiagnosed.
Simple snoring versus OSA
In most cases where snoring is present, the patient can be categorised as someone that is a ‘simple snorer’. Estimated to affect 45% of the population, snoring is a result of the partial closure of the airway during sleep. It can range from 50-100 decibels, the equivalent of a pneumatic drill. This consequently often leads to relationship issues, daytime sleepiness, increased stress and depression if left untreated.
In some cases, snoring can be indicative of OSA – a potentially life-threatening condition. OSA is the repeated collapsing of the airway during sleep. It results in complete (apnoea) or partial (hypopnea) obstruction of airflow for 10 seconds or more. Left untreated, it can cause increased blood pressure, heightened risk of cardiovascular disease, strokes and diabetes, and excessive daytime sleepiness.
The dentist’s role in treatment
Patients suffering from snoring often consult their GP for a solution, where certain lifestyle changes may be suggested. Chiefly, weight loss, different sleeping positions, staying well hydrated and avoiding alcohol.
While these changes will likely have a positive impact on snoring from a holistic perspective, and should be encouraged, many dentists have been trained to provide oral appliances to reduce snoring. The use of a mandibular advancement splint (MAS) has been clinically proven to have a significant impact.
How do I offer treatment for snoring?
For medical indemnity purposes, it is important to demonstrate that you have had training in the area before offering treatment for snoring. S4S Dental, in collaboration with Professor Ama Johal, offer a training course that is recognised by medical indemnifiers and satisfies their requirements as proof of training.
Professor Johal is regarded as a leading UK and international authority in the management of snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea.
Involved in both clinical treatment, development and research in this field for more than 20 years, Professor Johal’s work has been presented nationally and internationally. Having trained over 2000 GDPs throughout his career, Professor Johal is one of the leading clinicians in the UK on the use of mandibular advancement splints for the treatment of snoring and OSA.
Training is worth six hours of verifiable ECPD and is available online and in person.
Discover more here: www.s4sdental.com.
