Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Practicing Dental Sleep Medicine- My Why

With Dr. Mayoor Patel and Dr. Terry Bennet

I like to know why I do things. 

Understanding my motivation to pursue a passion results in me being at peace with what I give up to accomplish my goals. Nothing is achieved without a cost and I want to make sure that I am not paying too high a price to gain something.

When it comes to practicing Dental Sleep Medicine, I am clear about why I do it- To improve the lives of our patients.

The lack of restful sleep is an epidemic in our society.

We have been geared and encouraged to achieve ‘success’ at any cost. It has traditionally been a boast to have ‘pulled an all nighter’ in high school and college. Putting in extra hours at work has been considered an employee’s strength in many professions. Well, it has all come at a great detriment to our health and well being.

Society is waking up to the serious consequences of not getting enough sleep. There is no system in the body that goes unpunished by breathing disorders but the heart deserves special mention. The effects on this critical organ can be life threatening. At the very least, the impact is life altering- and not in a good way.

As a dentist, I am in a unique position to help patients. 

The area that I treat on a daily basis is full of physical clues that alert me to the possibility that my patient may have a high risk of having a sleep disorder. That allows me to start a discussion with them and send them to be further evaluated and possibly tested for sleep apnea.
As a dentist, I  work with sleep physicians when it comes to treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Oral Sleep Appliances are one of the treatment modalities available to help a patient breathe through the night. I work as part of a team that collaborates to get results for the patient.

Sleep Medicine is still in its infancy. There is a wealth of new information coming from sleep research being done in many disciplines. For me, the opportunity to continuously learn and grow so I can be my personal best and bring optimal care to our patients is another WHY I practice Dental Sleep Medicine.

Pictured above are 2 Dental Sleep Medicine educators that I have had the pleasure of learning from- Dr. Mayoor Patel and Dr. Terry Bennett. Hats off to great teachers that pay it forward!

It has been a while since I have blogged. I have missed writing and sharing with you but was focused and devoted to setting up the NEW JERSEY DENTAL SLEEP MEDICINE CENTER at 229 Charles Street during those months.
But I promise to be in touch regularly now. There’s a lot to talk about!
Be well, Do well, Live well
Sunita