Dentists | Sleep Scholar

Scottsdale Study Club Announces and Sets Dates for Clinical Workshops and Meetings Focused on Dental Treatments of Sleep Disordered Breathing, Bruxism and TMD/Headache

July 28, 2011 by Randy Clare Leave a Comment

The Scottsdale Study Club announces its 12-month meeting schedule to include monthly club meetings as well as monthly hands-on clinical workshops with patients. The focus of this educational environment is to provide direct one-on-one experience with Dentists who have successfully integrated sleep dentistry into their practices.

About the Workshops and Meetings

General session fees are $1,499 and Workshops are $2,200. Each Dentist is welcome to bring an assistant or auxiliary to the club meeting. For information or to register to attend the meeting, please call 760-633-4162..

Topics and focus of each meeting will be determined by the mentors and may change without notice depending on the number attendees and perceived areas of academic interest. There will be no exhibits at the Study Club meetings.

Background on the Mentors

Dr. Edward Spiegel, DDS: After treating a series of patients in the 1980′s with temporomandibular joint disorder by way of oral appliances, in 1992, he discovered an interesting correlation. As he treated these patients with oral appliances their snoring stopped. Having confirmed this finding after a retrospective case review, he began to evaluate the use of oral appliances to stop patients snoring and in turn the utility of oral appliances in solving a much larger health problem: Sleep Disordered Breathing conditions such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

He designed a rudimentary treatment protocol within his own office based on the dental management of Sleep Disordered Breathing by way of Oral Appliance Therapy. The local success of his clinical program in Erie, PA was mirrored nationally by dental practices emulating his treatment plan. He then created a clinical protocol intended for the dental assessment and treatment of snoring and other airway-related sleep disorders. The result is a turn-key system for the dental management of Sleep Disordered Breathing.

Bradley Eli, DMD, MS: Bradley Eli has a 20 year history of work in the field of Orofacial Pain management (head and neck). Upon completion of his UCLA program there were less than 10 like providers within the United States. In 1995, he began the work in the field of Sleep Medicine and then began the STAR (Sleep Treatment and Research) Institute. This unique early look at the field has assisted him in the development of methods and solutions to assist patients with these life changing pain and sleep disorders.

Location

SleepScholar Study Club General Session

14635 N Kierland Blvd., Ste. 154

Scottsdale, AZ, 85254

Seating is limited and will be assigned on a first come first serve basis

Calendar of Events 2011

September 16- 17, 2011

Where are the patients?

Evaluation of dental patients at each dental appointment for signs and symptoms of untreated sleep disorders
Conversion from dental to medical
Dental insurance vs. Medical Insurance including Medicare
AASM as well as AADSM guidelines for treatment in the dental office
Hands-on workshop for patient evaluation and treatment

Mentor Spotlight

Dr. Rodney Willey, Peoria, IL

Dr. Michael Childres, Bradenton, FL

Dr. Michael Gluhareff, Ocala, FL

Dr. Edward Spiegel, Scottsdale, AZ

Dentists and one staff member will learn proper patient evaluation, examination, jaw registration, and dental and medical records.

October 14-15, 2011

Bruxism, TMD and Sleep

Etiology of Bruxism, use of the Ordinal Scale as well as tie in to TMD and Sleep Disorders
Evaluation of the patient, documentation and medical billing for ABI
Treatment options in the pediatric patient as well as adult patient
Orthodontic evaluation and early treatment
TMD evaluation of patients as well as treatment planning
Sleep patient present with symptoms of pain and pre existing conditions
Hands-on evaluation of patient dentition and treatment planning
Proper medical referral and medical billing

Mentor Spotlight

Dr. Devin Croft, Orthodontist, Peoria, AZ

Dr. Bradley Eli, UCLA 2-year residency, San Diego, CA

Dr. Edward Spiegel, Scottsdale, AZ

November 4-5, 2011

Diagnostic Testing

Diagnostic testing in the dental office for TMD and Oral Appliance
Evaluating diagnostic testing for use id the dental office
Literature support, clinical guidelines for treatment planning as well as follow-up records and documentation to insurance carriers
AAOP as well as AACP Guidelines for treatment and evaluation of patients
Hands-on evaluation for patients as well as discussion on treatment planning

Mentor Spotlight

Dr. Bradley Eli, UCLA 2-year residency, San Diego, CA

Dr. Edward Spiegel, Scottsdale, AZ

December 2-3, 2011

Oral Appliance Selection

Discussion on the most used oral devices for Bruxism, TMD and OSA
Pricing as well as indications and contra indications of oral devices with a 510(k) number
Various jaw registration devices for recording the maxillary/mandibular relationship
Long-term use of Oral Appliances
Trouble-shooting problems associated with oral appliances
Materials for accurate impressions for oral devices

Mentor Spotlight
Mr. Randy Clare, Aliso Viejo, CA

Dr. Edward Spiegel, Scottsdale, AZ

Calendar of Events 2012

February 10-11, 2012

Where are the patients?

Evaluation of dental patients at each dental appointment for signs and symptoms of untreated sleep disorders
Conversion from dental to medical
Dental insurance vs. Medical Insurance including Medicare
AASM as well as AADSM guidelines for treatment in the dental office
Hands-on workshop for patient evaluation and treatment

Mentor Spotlight

Dr. Rodney Willey, Peoria, IL

Dr. Michael Childres, Bradenton, FL

Dr. Michael Gluhareff, Ocala, FL

Dr. Edward Spiegel, Scottsdale, AZ

Dentists and one staff member will learn proper patient evaluation, examination, jaw registration, and dental and medical records.

March 9-10, 2012

Bruxism, TMD and Sleep

Etiology of Bruxism, use of the Ordinal Scale as well as tie in to TMD and Sleep Disorders
Evaluation of the patient, documentation and medical billing for ABI
Treatment options in the pediatric patient as well as adult patient
Orthodontic evaluation and early treatment
TMD evaluation of patients as well as treatment planning
Sleep patient present with symptoms of pain and pre existing conditions
Hands-on evaluation of patient dentition and treatment planning
Proper medical referral and medical billing

Mentor Spotlight

Dr. Devin Croft, Orthodontist, Peoria, AZ

Dr. Bradley Eli, UCLA 2-year residency, San Diego, CA

Dr. Edward Spiegel, Scottsdale, AZ

April 13-14, 2012
Diagnostic Testing

Diagnostic testing in the dental office for TMD and Oral Appliance
Evaluating diagnostic testing for use id the dental office
Literature support, clinical guidelines for treatment planning as well as follow-up records and documentation to insurance carriers
AAOP as well as AACP Guidelines for treatment and evaluation of patients
Hands-on evaluation for patients as well as discussion on treatment planning

Mentor Spotlight

Dr. Bradley Eli, UCLA 2-year residency, San Diego, CA

Dr. Edward Spiegel, Scottsdale, AZ

May 11-12, 2012

Oral Appliance Selection

Discussion on the most used oral devices for Bruxism, TMD and OSA
Pricing as well as indications and contra indications of oral devices with a 510(k) number
Various jaw registration devices for recording the maxillary/mandibular relationship
Long-term use of Oral Appliances
Trouble-shooting problems associated with oral appliances
Materials for accurate impressions for oral devices

Mentor Spotlight
Mr. Randy Clare, Aliso Viejo, CA

Dr. Edward Spiegel, Scottsdale, AZ

June 8-9, 2011

Where are the patients?

Evaluation of dental patients at each dental appointment for signs and symptoms of untreated sleep disorders
Conversion from dental to medical
Dental insurance vs. Medical Insurance including Medicare
AASM as well as AADSM guidelines for treatment in the dental office
Hands-on workshop for patient evaluation and treatment

Mentor Spotlight

Dr. Rodney Willey, Peoria, IL

Dr. Michael Childres, Bradenton, FL

Dr. Michael Gluhareff, Ocala, FL

Dr. Edward Spiegel, Scottsdale, AZ

Dentists and one staff member will learn proper patient evaluation, examination, jaw registration, and dental and medical records.

July 13-14, 2012

Bruxism, TMD and Sleep

Etiology of Bruxism, use of the Ordinal Scale as well as tie in to TMD and Sleep Disorders
Evaluation of the patient, documentation and medical billing for ABI
Treatment options in the pediatric patient as well as adult patient
Orthodontic evaluation and early treatment
TMD evaluation of patients as well as treatment planning
Sleep patient present with symptoms of pain and pre existing conditions
Hands-on evaluation of patient dentition and treatment planning
Proper medical referral and medical billing

Mentor Spotlight

Dr. Devin Croft, Orthodontist, Peoria, AZ

Dr. Bradley Eli, UCLA 2-year residency, San Diego, CA

Dr. Edward Spiegel, Scottsdale, AZ

Clinical Workshops

The intention of the workshop format is to exercise the new skills as learned at the general session in a controlled environment. There will be time provided in this forum for attendee case presentations and the exchange of information that will lead to an excellent educational outcome.

The Apnea and TMJ/Headache workshop will be conducted in small groups with patients in a dental office.

The PSG course will be conducted in a hotel room where a complete sleep diagnostic facility will be re-created for the purpose of demonstrating and teaching the process of collecting sleep study data.

Location for Apnea and TMJ/Headache Workshops

Vistancia Ortho

9772 W. Yearling Rd Suite A-1600

Peoria, AZ 85383

(All materials for the training will be provided onsite)

Location for the Overnight Polysomnography Workshops

Embassy Suites

4415 E. Paradise Village Pkwy South
Phoenix, AZ 85032

Calendar of Events 2011

September 23-25, 2011

Overnight PSG (Limited to 12 Dentists)

Overnight Sleep Polysomnography two-night PSG of patient for diagnosis as well as second night treatment with CPAP and Oral Appliance.
Dentist will see actual examination of patient as well as patient prepared for PSG with evaluation and live data being recorded.
Discussion of PSG results as well as a comparison of CPAP and OA treatment as recorded by the PSG.

Mentor Spotlight
Mr. Jeffory Wyscarver

Mr. Randy Clare

Dr. Edward Spiegel

October 21-22, 2011

Chairside Sleep Apnea

Medical legal aspects involved in treating the Bruxing, TMD and Sleep patient
Health care attorney will review medical insurance guidelines. Medicare guidelines including anti-fraud, anti-kickback and Stark Laws.
Informational seminars for Snoring, TMD as well as Sleep Disorders.
How to organize market and follow-up.
Working with the sleep lab. How to legally refer patients with medical insurance as well as Medicare.

Mentor Spotlight

Dr. Rodney Willey, Peoria, IL

Dr. Bradley Eli, San Diego, CA

Dr. Edward Spiegel, Scottsdale, AZ

November 18-19, 2011

TMD and Headache

Headache classifications relationship between Headache/TMD/Sleep
Diagnostic Process-unique for headache and unique for sleep
Recommended Communication with Physicians
Medications in Headache Management
Oral Appliance Therapy

Headache

Jaw Disorders

Sleep Disorders

Injection uses in Headache Disorders
Injection techniques for Headache
Injection technique for TMD
Review of Tx method of action PAP vs Mandibular advancement

Mentor Spotlight

Dr. Bradley Eli, San Diego, CA

Dr. Edward Spiegel, Scottsdale, AZ

December 16-18, 2011

Overnight PSG (Limited to 12 Dentists)

Overnight Sleep Polysomnography two-night PSG of patient for diagnosis as well as second night treatment with CPAP and Oral Appliance.
Dentist will see actual examination of patient as well as patient prepared for PSG with evaluation and live data being recorded.
Discussion of PSG results as well as a comparison of CPAP and OA treatment as recorded by the PSG.

Mentor Spotlight
Mr. Jeffory Wyscarver

Mr. Randy Clare

Dr. Edward Spiegel

Calendar of Events 2012

February 24-25, 2012

Chairside Sleep Apnea

Medical legal aspects involved in treating the Bruxing, TMD and Sleep patient
Health care attorney will review medical insurance guidelines. Medicare guidelines including anti-fraud, anti-kickback and Stark Laws.
Informational seminars for Snoring, TMD as well as Sleep Disorders.
How to organize market and follow-up.
Working with the sleep lab. How to legally refer patients with medical insurance as well as Medicare.

Mentor Spotlight

Dr. Rodney Willey, Peoria, IL

Dr. Bradley Eli, San Diego, CA

Dr. Edward Spiegel, Scottsdale, AZ

March 23-24, 2012

TMD and Headache

Headache classifications relationship between Headache/TMD/Sleep
Diagnostic Process-unique for headache and unique for sleep
Recommended Communication with Physicians
Medications in Headache Management
Oral Appliance Therapy

Headache

Jaw Disorders

Sleep Disorders

Injection uses in Headache Disorders
Injection techniques for Headache
Injection technique for TMD
Review of Tx method of action PAP vs Mandibular advancement

Mentor Spotlight

Dr. Bradley Eli, San Diego, CA

Dr. Edward Spiegel, Scottsdale, AZ

April 27-29, 2012

Overnight PSG (Limited to 12 Dentists)

Overnight Sleep Polysomnography two-night PSG of patient for diagnosis as well as second night treatment with CPAP and Oral Appliance.
Dentist will see actual examination of patient as well as patient prepared for PSG with evaluation and live data being recorded.
Discussion of PSG results as well as a comparison of CPAP and OA treatment as recorded by the PSG.

Mentor Spotlight
Mr. Jeffory Wyscarver

Mr. Randy Clare

Dr. Edward Spiegel

May 25-26, 2012

Chairside Sleep Apnea

Medical legal aspects involved in treating the Bruxing, TMD and Sleep patient
Health care attorney will review medical insurance guidelines. Medicare guidelines including anti-fraud, anti-kickback and Stark Laws.
Informational seminars for Snoring, TMD as well as Sleep Disorders.
How to organize market and follow-up.
Working with the sleep lab. How to legally refer patients with medical insurance as well as Medicare.

Mentor Spotlight

Dr. Rodney Willey, Peoria, IL

Dr. Bradley Eli, San Diego, CA

Dr. Edward Spiegel, Scottsdale, AZ

June 22-23, 2012

TMD and Headache

Headache classifications relationship between Headache/TMD/Sleep
Diagnostic Process-unique for headache and unique for sleep
Recommended Communication with Physicians
Medications in Headache Management
Oral Appliance Therapy

Headache

Jaw Disorders

Sleep Disorders

Injection uses in Headache Disorders
Injection techniques for Headache
Injection technique for TMD
Review of Tx method of action PAP vs Mandibular advancement

Mentor Spotlight

Dr. Bradley Eli, San Diego, CA

Dr. Edward Spiegel, Scottsdale, AZ

July 27-29, 2012

Overnight PSG (Limited to 12 Dentists)

Overnight Sleep Polysomnography two-night PSG of patient for diagnosis as well as second night treatment with CPAP and Oral Appliance.
Dentist will see actual examination of patient as well as patient prepared for PSG with evaluation and live data being recorded.
Discussion of PSG results as well as a comparison of CPAP and OA treatment as recorded by the PSG.

Mentor Spotlight
Mr. Jeffory Wyscarver

Mr. Randy Clare

Dr. Edward Spiegel

Filed Under: cpap compliance, David Gergen, Dental, dental appliances, dental labs, dental sleep medicine, dentists, Gergens Ortho Lab, glidewell dental lab, obstructive sleep apnea, osa patients, sleep apnea, sleep appliances, sleep disorder Tagged With: Articles, Blog, CPAP compliance, dental, dental appliances, dental labs, dental sleep medicine, dentists, Glidewell Dental Lab, obstructive sleep apnea, OSA Patients

Worth the Weight

December 15, 2010 by SleepDT Leave a Comment

The ultra light SleepView type 3 home sleep monitor from CleveMed is designed to be simple for patients, and cost effective for sleep labs.

Just shy of a year on the market, the SleepView from CleveMed has managed to carve a growing niche in the highly competitive world of home sleep monitoring. Sarah Weimer, director of Sleep Products at the Cleveland-based manufacturer, touts the device as the smallest and lightest home sleep monitor within the AASM-recommended Type 3 channel-set guidelines.

At a weight of approximately 2 ounces, the equipment is ergonomically designed for patients to perform a self test at home, while also working hand in hand with CleveMed’s eCrystal PSG Web Portal. The Web site is a place where sleep studies are uploaded for review and scoring by sleep technologists, then interpreted by board certified sleep physicians.

Easy for Patients
While Medicare approved home sleep testing last year, reimbursement still stands at just over $200. At that rate, Weimer points out that it is not cost effective for sleep labs, especially if sleep professionals must be involved with the setup every step of the way. “With that in mind, the goal with the SleepView was to make a device that fulfilled the channel set asked for by AASM, with the types of sensors that they like to see as well,” says Weimer. “At the same time, we wanted it to be very easy for patients to do a self hook up with minimal instruction.”

Clevemed was uniquely suited to do an incredibly small Type III device due to the company’s long history of producing wireless electrophysiology monitors. Working within the diminutive design parameters, engineers sought to avoid the more complex harness systems used by competitors. “We wanted it to be small and light enough that it could be supported by a traditional respiratory effort belt,” reveals Weimer. “It is easier for patients to hook themselves up. They don’t have to worry about extra mounting straps or the discomfort of having the device worn elsewhere on the body.”

Not surprisingly, patients appreciate how easy it is to put on the SleepView. For patients who think it may be too easy and question the procedure, engineers went an additional step with LED light indicators on the front that let patients know if they have hooked themselves up properly. “If they turn the device on, but they don’t have sensors on, there is a little light on the front of the device by each channel name that will light up red to let them know that they are not hooked up properly,” explains Weimer. “As they get each channel hooked up correctly, those lights will turn green to indicate that it is collecting a good signal. When the patient first turns the device on, those lights will stay on for 90 seconds, and then anytime during the night the patient can hit the ‘on’ button again to get another 30 seconds of feedback about whether the device is collecting good signals or not.”

Feedback on usability and success rates tabulated from sponsored tests have consistently shown that patients come back with valid data. “Other customers have been using our other product, the Sleep Scout, which is a little bit more traditional and a little bit more complicated for the patient to put on,” says Weimer. “It [the Scout] does not have the feedback, and we would have an increased number of unsuccessful studies with that product compared to this product. The immediate patient feedback on the SleepView lets patients know that they may not have a sensor in place properly, and they can fix it right away.”

Expanding the Market
Weimer agrees that the SleepView, and home testing in general, will likely expand the market for sleep labs by increasing access and awareness to potential patients. The undiagnosed masses will get into the treatment cycle, benefitting all parties throughout the continuum of care.

As more clinicians learn about the importance of sleep, referrals will also increase the flow of patients. “Patients are typically seeing their dentists or primary care physicians, and if those health care professionals are asking the right questions about sleep, it is just going to increase the number of people who are aware and getting tested,” says Weimer. “There is also the idea that home testing could harm the sleep lab by reducing the number of patients they are able to see, but I think that is a misconception.”

SleepView At a Glance
Hardware Dimensions: 3” x 2.6” x 0.7” (7.6 cm x 6.6 cm x 1.8 cm)

Weight: 2 oz (57 g) (approx.) with batteries
Power: 1 AAA battery
Memory: 1G internal memory
7 Dedicated Channels
1) Heart Rate
2) Pulse Oximetry
3) Airflow (pressure based)
4) Airflow (thermistor)
5) Snore (derived from airflow)
6) Respiratory Effort Belt (RIP)
7) Body Position

Software
SleepView works with the eCrystal PSG Web Portal, allowing treating physicians to initiate home sleep tests directly from their practices. Data from the SleepView is uploaded through the web portal to a network of professional technologists and sleep physicians for timely scoring and study interpretation. Later reports with recommended treatment or follow-up are retrieved by the treating physician. This patient monitoring system allows physicians to provide a continuum of care.

For more information: http://www.clevemed.com/SleepView/overview.shtml

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: dentists

The Dental Decade of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment

November 15, 2010 by SleepDT Leave a Comment

It wasn’t a scientific survey, but if the level of discourse at the recent APSS meeting was any indication, sleep physicians are warming up to dental sleep medicine.

The decade of dental of sleep medicine may have quietly kicked off in the halls of this year’s Associated Professional Sleep Societies’ meeting in San Antonio. In a marked change over last year, vendors have encountered acceptance where they had previously found reluctance.

SomnoMed, an Australia-based dental sleep medical com- pany and makers of the SomnoDent® MAS devices saw the subtle shift firsthand. It started with an overall tone of positiv- ity that quickly morphed into an infectious enthusiasm. At last year’s APSS in Seattle they were still getting questions about clinical data and people asking about white papers and publi- cations. This year, they heard totally different questions, such as: ‘Where do I find SomnoMed dentists to work with?’.

The new line of inquiry amounts to a huge shift in a rel- atively short amount of time. A year ago, attendees wanted proof, but this year more are convinced. The new mindset is at least partly due to a concerted educational effort on the part of SomnoMed and others. Focused communication to the medi- cal market has hammered home the message that oral appli- ance therapy is backed by solid evidence, with more to come in the near future.

Ralf Barschow, CEO of SomnoMed agrees that medical acceptance is higher than last year, but he believes clinicians will ultimately embrace oral therapies on a much larger scale. Along with greater acceptance, Barschow noticed a lot more traffic coming to their booths this year, with serious inquiries outnumbering the casual fact finders. “We had more people taking contact details and networking than at any other time. I would characterize the interest as sensational.”

Next year’s APSS will be held in Minnesota and could be another milestone that mirrors the situation with home sleep testing. The analogy with home testing works because just like that facet of sleep medicine, dental therapy has taken time to settle in and gain acceptance with certain segments of the market. Full polysomnograms were once considered infinitely superior to home tests, just as it was once considered unthink- able that oral appliances could be a better choice than CPAP.

Now people realize that patients are different and options are a positive development. SomnoMed’s latest innovation the RCMP (Remote Controlled Mandible Positioner) allows physi- cians in the PSG setting, along with a technician, to basically titrate throughout the night to determine whether the therapy will work, and to determine where the bite must be to get the optimal results.

“The unit is completely integrated into the software and the tech is already familiar with the oral appliance for titra- tion,” says Barschow, who’s company custom fabricates the SomnoDent® MAS, a mandibular advancement splint. “It plugs right into the channel and literally, instead of titrating to pressures, it is titrating to advancement in millimeter fraction increments—similar to the way our device can be advanced.”

As a company, it’s all part of SomnoMed’s effort to be viewed as more than just a therapy piece. Instead, the com- pany is looking for a way to determine efficacy, compliance and spread education. There is a SomnoMed Academy, which is an educational entity that generates continuing education credits for the dental and medical fraternity. It started out in the therapy market and the therapy arena.

Dentists who wish to get involved can contact the company and purchase a starter kit with collateral materials and three devices. Participating dental professionals may choose to reg- ister for an Awaken Seminar, which is a 2-day continuing edu- cation event that teaches dentists how to prescribe oral appli- ance therapy. “We explain why and how they need to interact with the medical community to get a proper diagnosis,” says Barschow. “However, we have always maintained, and will continue to maintain that it is the physician’s role to treat the patient, diagnose the patient, and once oral appliance therapy is deemed appropriate treatment—it goes over to the dental arena for the fitting of the device. Patient care is for the physi- cian, and diagnosis is for the physician.”

Choice is Key
Like the burgeoning industry, SomnoMed is offering more options to customers. Currently, there are three MAS gold standard products which have been developed, each with dif- ferent clinical indications aimed at OSA sufferers. These in- clude the SomnoDent® MAS Classic, SomnoDent® MAS Flex, and SomnoDent® MAS Edent for the Edentulous patient.

The SomnoDent® MAS is a custom designed sleep apnea oral appliance and has been the subject of numerous strin- gent, evidence-based studies that satisfy the need for a safe and effective treatment for OSA. The SomnoDent® MAS has a number of design features such as: a streamlined design with minimal bulk, which maximizes the size of the lingual space and reduces gagging.

The company touts an excellent fit in both upper and lower arches with anterior and posterior contact for a stable occlu- sion, which prevents tooth movement and minimizes term- pero-mandibular joint discomfort and injuries. The MAS is constructed in two separate pieces that allow patients to open and close their mouths. This allows clear speech, yawning, and drinking without requiring patients to remove the appliance. The ability to communicate clearly while wearing the device is particularly appreciated by patients and their partners.

For more information, visit www.somnomed.com

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: dentists, home testing

Information and Education

September 27, 2010 by SleepDT Leave a Comment

A renewed commitment to a nationwide phone reference (1-800-SLEEPLAB) is just one of many projects on the Sleep Group Solutions docket.

Rani Ben-David, president of Sleep Group Solutions (SGS), North Miami Beach, Fla, wants to be all things to all people, at least when it comes to the telephone lines. The ambitious goal comes in the form of 1-800-SLEEPLAB, a work in progress that seeks to be nothing less than the largest directory in the sleep world—an ever-widening realm that includes neurology, cardiology, ENTs, dentists, and sleep physicians.

With Vital Lessons Learned
From 1-800-SNORING, a pilot project dedicated solely to the dental end, Ben-David hopes to be a first-call for consumers who need help. Depending on the zip code from where the call originates, inquiries would go straight to participating sleep professionals. Sleep physicians who use SGS sleep interpretation and scoring services will also automatically be a part of the 1-800 directory. “Right now there is no one directory for everybody,” says Ben-David. “This one reference is designed to be the heart for everyone.” While the listing is for FREE the sleep labs and Physicians have the option to lease the 1800 Sleep Lab number for the ZIP code they practice at for a very low fee.

SGS has built its reputation by thinking big, and when company officials needed an advisor, they went straight to the top, garnering advice from Atul Malhotra, MD, medical director for the Boston-based Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) Sleep Disorders Research Program. SGS is the manufacturer of the Eccovision Rhinometer and Pharyngometer.
Jeffrey Fredberg The Harvard professor who invented the Eccovision Rhinometer and Pharyngometer recommended Malhotra, and Ben-David now counts the BWH mainstay as a friend and business associate. As both a purveyor of education and a seller of sophisticated measuring devices and other Sleep products such as the Embletta ambulatory sleep device, SGS has seen dramatic growth that mirrors the hype surrounding the burgeoning sleep industry. Plans for 2010/2011 are simple: keep it going, spread the news, and take on even more projects. That is why CEO Tamir Cohen has started a road trip to Europe and the Middle East to start partnerships in those Regions.

New Partners, New Twists, New Technology
A partnership with Newport Beach, Calif-based Glidewell Dental Lab offers SGS an opportunity to double its number of educational seminars to about 80 per year. Glidewell Doctors will now get a discounted rate. Glidewell provides a lot of dental appliances in the vast metropolis of Southern California and throughout the World. “It’s a huge partnership because they do more than 3,000 sleep appliances per month,” enthuses Ben-David. “Those Doctors need the education, and it’s a perfect opportunity for two companies with integrity to come together for mutual benefit. Glidewell is one of the most reputable Dental Labs in the World”.

The SGS educational model starts with a 2-day seminar. “Most of the professionals who lecture for us are diplomates of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine,” adds Ben-David. “Doctors come to the courses very excited to learn about the field of sleep. In 2 days, we teach them about apnea, insomnia, and the main sleep problems. Of course, we cover the dental side of sleep apnea and our dentists are very soon, busy treating patients.

An App for That
Technology in the form of an iPhone application is designed to aid consumers, many of whom rely heavily on cell phone information. The app records a bed partner’s snoring for 60 seconds, then features a questionnaire to fill out. “Send it to us and our server automatically sends it to the closest sleep pro in your area, and that professional is part of the 800 directory,” explains Ben-David. “The wife tells the husband that he snores. She can download the app and record him, the sleep doc will call you for the evaluation. People know they have a problem, but don’t take that extra step. Now the stalemate can be broken.” Sleep physicians and dentists can send the application via email as a kind of rudimentary initial screening. “It’s not a medical screening,” admits Ben-David, “but they can send it to their patients and ultimately give an opinion.” Oral Appliance for Less Yet another SGS venture with Respire Medical involves an
oral appliance at a reasonable price. “It is a laboratory-fabricated appliance at a cost of $149,” says Ben-David. “Compare that to a well-known brand that is $550. For the patient to be able to do it, we lowered the cost of the appliance. It’s as good as everyone else’s, but at a quarter of the price. We are making enough money on the $149 that we don’t need to charge more.” The Gelb Center in New York City has partnered with SGS and Respire to offer the best solutions for Sleep Disordered Breathing. Drs Harold and Michael Gelb direct an Integrated TMJ and Sleep practice at 635 Madison Avenue together with David Walton and Walid Raad of Respire and SGS.

Rani Ben-David, President of Sleep Group Solutions is based in Miami, FL.
For more information on SGS, please visit www. sleepgroupsolutions.com

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: dentists, Sleep Lab, sleep physicians

	Randy Clare Managing Editor of SleepScholar and RespiratoryScholar
	Dr. Steve Carstensen Pankey Institute for Advanced Dental Education, American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine.
	Ruchir Patel MD Founder & Medical Director at the Insomnia and Sleep Institute of Arizona.
	Dr. John S. Viviano AADSM Diplomate and member of various sleep organizations. Has lectured internationally on the treatment of Sleep-Disordered Breathing and the use of Acoustic Reflection.
	Jeffroy Wyscarver President, DDME Online, Sleep Lab Technology and Services for the Dental Community.
	Claude Albertario RPSGT, speaker, author and mentor in the field of sleep diagnostics with 25 yrs of management experience in one of New York's premier sleep centers.
	Joseph Anderson Co-Founder and Director of Education for Priority Health Education and Priority Scoring.
	Todd Austin Managed sleep labs and has 15 experience in sleep diagnostics and therapeutic systems. .
	Marietta Bibbs Sleep specialist and manager of Sleep and Neurodiagnostics at Morton Plant Mease Healthcare.
	Bradley Eli DMD, MS Director, San Diego Headache and Facial Pain Center / Sleep Treatment and Research Institute
	Edward Grandi Executive Director of the American Sleep Apnea Association.
	Edward Michaelson MD Board Certified in Pulmonary Medicine, Internal Medicine and Sleep Medicine
	Ashley Truitt Founder & Director of Dental Sleep Medicine Worldwide, Co-Founder of TPT Dental.

Scottsdale Study Club Announces and Sets Dates for Clinical Workshops and Meetings Focused on Dental Treatments of Sleep Disordered Breathing, Bruxism and TMD/Headache

Worth the Weight

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