The Silent Epidemic: Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Defining a Perspective
by Anmol S Kalha OSRE
Col (Retd) AD Corps, BSc. BDS. MDS
Professor Emeritus, Chairman IQAC, Advisor for Research and Policy, CIDS
Director and Advisor (Dentistry), Max Health Care, New Delhi
Co-Founder and Chief Architect Medeva Knowledge Systems
Chairman Scientific, India International Orthodontic Symposium 2023
“You that seek what life is in death, now find it air that once was breath.” – Baron
Brooke Fulke Greville, “Caelica 83”
Abstract
OSA has been called the silent epidemic, Benjafield et al. reported an OSA (mild to
severe) prevalence of 936 million persons between 30 to 69 years, and 425 million
persons between 30 and 69 years have OSA (moderate to severe) globally. Males
predominate with figures from 11% to 75%. The added burden of obesity brings
additional challenges. Most cases go undiagnosed with huge implications for
systemic health. The Dental/ Orthodontic professionals have a unique position in
examining the most vital craniofacial region and current research suggests a role for
oral appliances in mild to moderate OSA, in some cases of even moderate to severe
OSA where patients are intolerant to PAP appliances. A new specialty of Dental
Sleep Medicine finds its place today in the clinical context.
The presentation will provide an overview of the problem, diagnosis and the possible
clinical management in Dental / Orthodontic Practices. The whole scope of
introducing Dental Sleep Medicine in clinical practice would be presented in context.