Learning Objectives: 

• Understand the role and importance of the dental hygienist in identifying at-risk patients for sleep-disordered breathing. 
• Assess the level of risk and evaluate patients for obstructive sleep-disordered breathing.
• Identify different treatment modalities for sleep-disordered breathing.
• Discuss ways to eliminate contributing factors with their patients.
• Recognize when to refer their patients to a specialist.

Approximately 18 million adults in the U.S. suffer from moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. If not treated, OSA can lead to decreased quality of life and even death. Dental hygienists are health care professionals who have a significant advantage in recognizing and identifying patients who are at-risk for obstructive sleep-disordered breathing. This course is intended to help dental hygienists identify these patients, use screening tools effectively, recognize when to refer these patients to specialists, and integrate OSDB awareness into their dental practice.