Presented by: Maria Sokolina, DDS
Original Publication Date: March 21, 2025
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Course Description:
This course explores the progression of sleep apnea from childhood to adulthood, emphasizing early intervention to break the cycle. Participants will learn to identify key signs of pediatric sleep-disordered breathing and implement a multidisciplinary approach involving dental, medical, and myofunctional therapy interventions. Practical strategies include evaluating sleep-disordered breathing, guiding patient conversations, fostering collaboration with medical professionals, and incorporating nasal hygiene techniques. By the end, attendees will be equipped to recognize, manage, and prevent sleep apnea for improved long-term patient health.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the Prevalence and Progression of Sleep Apnea:
- Explore how untreated pediatric sleep apnea contributes to adult sleep-disordered breathing and its widespread impact on health, craniofacial development, and orthodontic stability.
- Identify Early Signs of Pediatric Sleep-Disordered Breathing:
- Learn to recognize the clinical and behavioral signs of pediatric sleep apnea, including mouth breathing, snoring, ADHD-like symptoms, and craniofacial abnormalities, and understand their implications for long-term health.
- Develop a Multidisciplinary Approach to Treatment:
- Gain insights into integrating dental, medical, and myofunctional therapy interventions, emphasizing expansion techniques, nasal hygiene, and collaborative care to manage and prevent sleep apnea effectively.
Practical Applications:
- Evaluation and treatment of Sleep-Disordered Breathing:
- Equip dental practitioners with strategies to identify key signs of sleep-disordered breathing in adults and children, such as mouth breathing, snoring, and craniofacial abnormalities.
- Strategy for therapy
- Starting the Conversation:
- Develop a conversational framework to discuss sleep concerns with patients and parents, emphasizing the link between sleep apnea and overall health.
- Offer tips on how to approach sensitive topics, such as the need for further evaluations or specialist referrals.
- Fostering Collaboration with Medical Practitioners:
- Share best practices for building interdisciplinary teams, including pediatricians, ENTs, sleep specialists, and myofunctional therapists.
- Nasal Hygiene Recommendations:
- Educate patients on nasal hygiene techniques to improve airway patency, such as nasal irrigation, the use of saline sprays, or exercises for nasal breathing.
- Demonstrate how nasal hygiene supports treatment outcomes in both orthodontic and myofunctional therapies.
About the Speaker:
Dr. Maria Sokolina, founder and CEO of Harmony Dental Arts, is committed to promoting healthier lives through sound sleep and proper breathing. Originally from Russia, she earned her dental degree before completing her DDS at NYU College of Dentistry. With expertise in implants, cosmetic dentistry, full mouth rehabilitation, and orthodontics, she is also a leader in Dental Sleep Medicine, offering innovative solutions for sleep apnea. Dr. Sokolina shares her knowledge through a Facebook group, YouTube channel, and published articles in Forbes, AARP, and Sleep Review. Learn more or take the “Myofunctional Therapy and Sleep Quality” self-assessment at drmariasokolina.com
Conflict of Interest:
N/A
Adult Airway and Sleep Disorders