Dentist's Role in Sleep-Disordered Breathing: Orthodontist Perspective

CE Program - "Dentist's Role in Sleep-Disordered Breathing: Orthodontist Perspective" with Audrey Yoon, DDS, MSD is organized by Northern Virginia Dental Society (NVDS) and will be held on Mar 06, 2026 at Fairfax Marriott at Fair Oaks, Fairfax, Virginia, United States of America.

Description:
Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) significantly impacts overall health and has garnered considerable attention over the past decade. Dentists play a crucial role in screening and managing this condition. This presentation by Dr. Audrey Yoon will highlight the dentist's role in addressing SDB, providing an overview from an orthodontist's perspective.

Dr. Yoon will briefly cover oral appliance therapy, including recent updates, and present clinical guidance on craniofacial growth patterns across different age groups for children, emphasizing the importance of timely intervention. Detailed insights into the phases of craniofacial growth and development will be provided, illustrating how therapeutic appliances can influence growth patterns. By tailoring strategies for each developmental stage, dental professionals can maximize treatment efficacy and promote healthy craniofacial development. Dr. Yoon will also showcase the most updated cutting-edge technology, such as the custom 3D miniscrew-assisted palatal expansion technique, which can alter craniofacial structures for patients of all ages.

Educating patients about the importance of addressing SDB and advocating for increased recognition of the dentist's role among healthcare providers and the general public is essential. This presentation aims to equip dentists with the knowledge and tools necessary to actively manage sleep-disordered breathing, emphasizing the importance of timely intervention and interdisciplinary collaboration to improve patient outcomes.

Objectives:

• Define the dentist’s role in identifying, screening, and co-managing patients with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB).
• Understand craniofacial growth stages and how early intervention can influence airway development.
• Integrate advanced therapies such as oral appliances and 3D miniscrew-assisted palatal expansion into clinical care.
• Encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and improve patient communication to enhance SDB outcomes.