Dr. Edward Shukovsky - Cosmetic Dentistry Blog

Basketball player Shaq O'Neal goes public about his sleep apnea.  Watch the video......

In my last blog, I wrote about 'Sleep Apnea and Saving Lives' because I believe that we need to pay attention to this deadly disease.  The medical issues surrounding Sleep Apnea are serious, complex and require a team approach that includes the patient, physician and dentist.  Today the Philadelphia Inquirer reports that a State Representative, 58 years old, died in his sleep from Sleep Apnea.  He had a sleep study done in August at a local hospital and was prescribed a CPAP.  He did not wear it because he felt it was uncomfortable.  It is well documented that the CPAP does not have good compliance.  Finding the right solution for each patient is paramount, whatever combination of treatments that may involve.

I have come to understand how important it is for the dentist and physician to be able to diagnose and treat sleep apnea.  I now see it as part of our office's mission to add this important disease to the other diseases that are covered in our office such as periodontal, endodontic, occlusal, caries and oral cancer.  This is not just about snoring, it is about understanding the complexities of sleep medicine, the patency of the airway and the very serious medical conditions that can result in untreated sleep apnea.