Program
‘Oral Appliance Therapy For Snoring, Sleep Apnoea & Bruxism’
A Unique Training
The ‘Oral Appliance Therapy for Snoring, Sleep Apnoea & Bruxism’ program is unique in that it is a combination of online modules, live webinars and one-on-one mentoring. As part of the training, you will receive a 3D printed nylon appliance to be used on a patient that you select. The appliance could be for yourself, a patient of the practice, a dental assistant or even a family member.
In addition to the online modules, three live webinars will help you through the clinical steps of providing oral appliance therapy for your patient. This method of training has been established as the best way of learning, with our comprehensive program giving you all the knowledge needed in all aspects of providing oral appliances for snoring, sleep apnoea and bruxism.
You will also be supported through the process with one-on-one coaching by phone, zoom or email from our panel of expert dentists.
12 Week Program
The 12 Week Program has designed as a guideline to give dentists the tools and knowledge needed to feel confident treating patients soon after registering for the program.
Week 1 to 4
The first four weeks of the 12 Week Program, (from webinar one to webinar two), allows you to achieve all the knowledge you need to start treating patients.
You can either complete the remaining modules in the weeks through to the third webinar (week 12), or extend it out further and complete the program at your leisure, with access gauranteed through until the end of 2022.
By following this weekly step by step process, you will:
- be supported in completing specific modules, representing just under 10 hours of the program,
- participate in the three live webinars, at the beginning, middle and end of the 12 Week Program,
- and complete all the clinical steps for a patient with the provided appliance.
One on one support is an integral part of the program.
Dates and Times
The live webinars start at 7.30pm AEST (9.30pm NZST) and run for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
July 2021 Program
Webinar 1 Tuesday 20th July
Webinar 2 Tuesday 10th August
Webinar 3 Tuesday 5th October
Registration
Registration Fee $2890 plus gst*
* gst removed from the total if registering outside of Australia.
Bonus Materials and Resources include:
- Dedicated one-on-one mentorship scheduled with each participant,
- 3D printed nylon sleep appliance for your own patient,
- Demo 3D printed nylon dorsal sleep appliance with models,
- Complete George Gauge registration kit,
- Reception area poster,
- Patient education materials, clinical forms and screening questionnaires,
- More than 35 important and seminal studies.
Program Outline
Live Webinars
Dr Harry Ball and Dr Sam Talpis discuss various topics and answer questions from participants of the ‘Oral Appliance Therapy for Snoring, Sleep Apnoea and Bruxism” program.
Dr Harry Ball, dentist
Dr Sam Talpis, dentist
Webinar One - Getting Started
The 12 Week Program commences with the first of three webinars.
The topics include:
- How to use the program,
- Selecting a patient – screening for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea / Snoring,
- Organising a sleep study,
- Records required for a Mandibular Advancement Splint – taking a registration,
- Preventing and managing occlusal changes,
- Q & A.
Webinar Two - The Clinical Steps
By the second webinar in week 4 you will have completed seven of the modules, selected a patient and have organised a sleep study.
The topics include:
- Presenting the results of the sleep study to the patients,
- Fitting the appliance,
- Titration protocol,
- Potential side effects,
- Q & A.
Webinar Three - Assessing and Completing the Treatment
By Week 12 you will have reviewed the study and presented treatment, have fitted an appliance and had your patient return for a review appointment.
The topics include:
- Post fitting assessment,
- MAS study,
- Involvement of a sleep physician,
- Combination treatments,
- Side effects,
- Occlusal changes,
- Q & A.
Module 1 – Overview of Sleep and Sleep Disorders
- The various sleep disorders,
- Obstructive Sleep Apnoea,
- Treatment of Sleep Apnoea,
- The Sleep Physician/Dentist relationship.
Dr David Cunnington - Sleep Physician
Module 2 – Overview of Dental Sleep Medicine
- Overview of Dental Sleep Medicine,
- Educating and acquiring patients,
- Diagnosing Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA),
- The treatments for snoring,
- The treatments for OSA,
- The effectiveness of Mandibular Advancement Splints (MAS) for OSA,
- Compliance of the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine in comparison to MAS.
Dr Harry Ball - Dentist
Module 3 – Screening, Sleep Studies, Diagnosis, Phenotypes and CPAP Therapy
- Sleep terminology,
- What constitutes a good night’s sleep,
- Understanding the Hypnogram,
- Summary of sleep disorders,
- How to assess sleep,
- Level 1 sleep study,
- Level 2 sleep study,
- Level 3 sleep study,
- Level 4 sleep screening,
- Interpreting sleep studies,
- Establishing the severity of OSA and its importance,
- Examples of sleep study reports.
Dr Linda Schachter - Sleep Physician
Module 4 – The A-Z of Oral Appliances and Maximising Success
- The different types of oral appliances,
- The different designs of MAS including pros and cons of each,
- Which is the best MAS?,
- Predicting success with a MAS,
- Providing consistently high quality appliances.
Dr Harry Ball - Dentist
Module 5 – The Clinical Steps
- The initial consultation,
- Impressions and intra-oral scanning,
- Taking a registration,
- Communicating with the laboratory,
- Fitting an appliance,
- Post fitting review,
- Correspondence and letters to physicians, GPs and others.
Dr Harry Ball - Dentist
Dr Sam Talpis - Dentist
Dr Ken Lee - Dentist
Module 6 – Side Effects and Problem Solving
- Occlusal changes,
- TMD pain and dysfunction,
- Dry mouth,
- Residual sleepiness,
- Residual snoring,
- Residual sleep apnoea.
Dr Harry Ball - Dentist
Module 7 – Communication, Marketing, Fees and Implementation
- Communication and presentation skills for high case acceptance,
- Marketing-internal and external,
- Setting fees,
- The steps for implementing dental sleep medicine into a dental practice.
Dr Harry Ball - Dentist
Module 8 – Best practice in Dental Sleep Medicine – using an Evidence Based Approach
- Evidence based dentistry and best practice,
- Controversies associated with MAS design,
- Controversies in the field of dental sleep medicine,
- Controversies involving laser treatments.
Associate Professor Ramesh Balasubramaniam - Oral Medicine Specialist
Module 9 – Signs, Symptoms and Screening of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Patients in Dental Practice
- Signs and symptoms of OSA,
- Risk factors,
- Dental signs and symptoms,
- Screening your patient,
- Extraoral exam,
- Airway evaluation,
- Dental and oral evaluation,
- Imaging for OSA.
Dr Mayoor Patel (USA) - Dentist and TMD Specialist
Module 10 – History and Evolution of Dental Sleep Medicine
- The different types of oral appliances,
- The different designs of MAS including pros and cons of each,
- Which is the best MAS?,
- Predicting success with a MAS,
- Providing consistently high quality appliances.
Dr Gail Demko (USA) - Dentist
Module 11 – A Focus on Occlusal Changes
- Signs and symptoms of occlusal changes,
- Causes of occlusal changes,
- Who might get occlusal changes,
- Preventing occlusal changes,
- Managing occlusal changes,
- Take home message.
Dr Ken Lee - Dentist
Module 12 – Managing Side Effects from OAT with an Emphasis on TMD
- TMD pain,
- Capsulitis,
- Myalgia pain,
- Myofascial pain,
- Documentation of muscles and joints,
- Tooth pain,
- Salivation,
- TMJ Disorder sounds,
- Dry mouth,
- Gum irritation,
- Bite changes,
- Case studies.
Dr Mayoor Patel (USA) - Dentist and TMD Specialist
Module 13 – Bruxism: Etiology, Assessment and Management
- Definition and classification,
- Prevalence and risk factors,
- Pathophysiology,
- Sleep bruxism andsleep disordered breathing,
- Diagnosis,
- Management,
- Occlusal splint designs,
- Conclusions and further directions.
Associate Professor Ramesh Balasubramaniam - Oral Medicine Specialist
Module 14 – The link between TMJ Disorder, OSA and Bruxism
- Relationship between sleep bruxism and OSA,
- Relationship between OSA and TMD,
- TMD with MAS Therapy,
- Screening for TMD,
- Management of TMD with Oral Appliance Therapy,
- Take home message.
Associate Professor Ramesh Balasubramaniam - Oral Medicine Specialist
Module 15 – The Role of Orthodontics in Managing OSA
- Using radiographs for the diagnosis of OSA,
- Can we grow jaws to improve the airway?,
- Can we expand the maxilla to improve the airway?,
- Do extractions reduce the size of the airway?,
- Do orthodontics and orthognathic surgery increase the size of the airway?,
- The impact of obesity.
Associate Professor Sanjivan Kandasamy - Orthodontist
Module 16 – ENT Assessment & Management of OSA
Why the Nose Matters
Presented by Professor Raj Dedhia (USA)
- Understanding the importance of nasal breathing for sleep,
- Nasal history and physical examination,
- Nasal and soft tissues surgery for OSA.
ENT Assessment and Management of OSA
Presented by Mr Eduard Pudel – ENT surgeon
- ENT examination,
- Treatment options,
- Predicting surgical success,
- Preoperative considerations,
- Nasal conservative treatments,
- Surgical considerations,
- Types of surgery,
- Postoperative considerations,
- Role of the dentist in ENT management.
Professor Raj Dedhia - Otolaryngologist
Mr Eduard Pudel - Ear, Nose and Throat Surgeon
Module 17 – Surgical Management of OSA
- Maxilla-mandibular advancement (MMA),
- Preoperative assessment,
- Sequencing of treatment,
- Facial aesthetic changes,
- Functional impact of these changes,
- Key points,
- Common questions and answers
Dr Sam Verco - Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon
Module 18 – The Role of the Psychologist in Managing Sleep Disorders
- Assessing sleep,
- Sleep disorders,
- Current behavioural and psychological treatments,
- Cases.
Professor Gerard Kennedy - Sleep Psychologist
Module 19 – The Dentist Sleep Physician Relationship
Dr Linda Schachter - Sleep Physician
Module 20 – Guest Presentation: Oral Appliance Designs
- Tongue retaining devices,
- Non custom-made devices,
- Vertical opening,
- Monobloc versus titratable appliances,
- Titratable designs,
- Side-effects,
- Efficacy,
- Adherence.
