A Good Thing

[Mr. Van Winkle]

Hi All, I had a cleaning at the dental office today and was surprised, they had a questioner for everyone to fill out regarding Sleep Apnea.
I didn't need to fill it all out because I'm already being treated for sleep apnea, but I thought it was great to try to help folks that don't even realize they may have Apnea, and how serious this is.
So anyway that is the first time I have seen anyone try to head this off and at a dental office, just wanted to share this.
Everyone!

[Galactus]

That's interesting.

[chill]

That seems like a very good thing. When I was diagnosed my GP, who is in her 50's, said I was the first patient of hers with OSA. Given how many patients she must have has over the years, I was only the first diagnosed, not the first with OSA. Anything that promotes broader awareness is a good thing.

[player]

They are trying to sell dental apnea devices. They don't have a good track record for successfully treating apnea.

[txpap]

It was after being under sedation for an oral surgery procedure that the surgeon told me I needed to get treatment for sleep apnea. Took me awhile to get around to it, but glad I am finally in therapy.

[CPAPAmma]

My dentist and I had a conversation about OSA after he attended a conference for dentists about the disease and the use of oral appliances to treat it. I told him I was very happy with my CPAP. He admitted the practice was looking into it to generate more revenue. He also said the presenter at the conference said that oral appliances didn't have a great track record as a treatment. For now, he isn't pursuing adding this to his practice.

[Sleeprider]

They are trying to sell dental apnea devices. They don't have a good track record for successfully treating apnea.

That is the obvious answer, but for people with limited funds for doctor visits, a dentist is actually qualified to write a prescription for a XPAP machines, masks etc. It's rare, but for most of us it would beat going to a specialist.

[Galactus]

They are trying to sell dental apnea devices. They don't have a good track record for successfully treating apnea.

Could be true. Then again, I have to applaud anyone that gets the word out to people who have no idea what they are suffering from, let alone aware there is treatment. It still amazes me how many people should have told me I might have sleep apnea and never did. Dr after Dr seeing me for my regular checkups and all, telling them how tired I am and all that and no one says a peep. Here I was selling a piece of property and the buyer owns a sleep clinic, meets me, hears my wife and I *talking* yet again about how I feel, and says "You should get a sleep study, as I'm certain it's sleep apnea".... That has always struck me as unbelievably messed up. So if a Dentist wants to tell people they have OSA, even if he does so only to try and make a buck, I say good for him. Because when his dental appliance works only a tiny bit, maybe the person will realize what he has and seek other treatment. And hey who knows if even a handful are helped by a dental appliance, again I say good for him.

[player]

Just be aware they are informing for their own self interest.

[Galactus]

Just be aware they are informing for their own self interest.

All the more reason to keep on people to get treatment. Great things can happen when people have aligning interests. But sure I know what you mean.

They are trying to sell dental apnea devices. They don't have a good track record for successfully treating apnea.

I think this was more important to note.