Sleep disordered breathing encompasses a spectrum of conditions, from simple snoring to obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), that disrupt normal breathing during sleep. Dentists are increasingly recognised as key contributors to the management of these conditions, not as peripheral clinicians, but as active members of a multidisciplinary care team. Understanding airway dentistry and the treatment options available is now a core part of informed dental practice.
At the British Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (BADSM), we support dental professionals in developing the clinical knowledge and practical skills to manage sleep disordered breathing effectively. This article outlines the main treatment options and explains how airway dentistry fits within the broader picture of sleep medicine.
What Is Airway Dentistry?
Airway dentistry refers to dental practice that considers the impact of the oral cavity, jaw structure, and dentition on breathing, particularly during sleep. Rather than treating the teeth and gums in isolation, airway dentistry takes a whole-patient perspective, recognising that craniofacial anatomy, tongue posture, bite relationships, and soft tissue anatomy all influence upper airway function.
Practitioners working in airway dentistry assess patients not only for dental disease but for features that may compromise airway patency during sleep. This includes evaluating jaw position, palatal dimensions, tonsil size, tongue posture, and signs of habitual mouth breathing. The aim is to identify patients at risk of sleep disordered breathing and provide appropriate treatment or referral.
In the UK, airway dentistry is gaining significant recognition as evidence accumulates around the dental profession’s role in managing OSA and as regulatory frameworks, including updated NICE guidance, formalise the place of oral appliance therapy in clinical pathways.
Understanding Sleep Disordered Breathing
Sleep disordered breathing is an umbrella term that includes:
- Primary snoring – Vibration of upper airway soft tissues without significant apnoea or oxygen desaturation
- Upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS) – Increased resistance to airflow causing sleep fragmentation without overt apnoea
- Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) – Repeated partial or complete collapse of the upper airway during sleep, resulting in oxygen desaturation and arousal from sleep
OSA in particular carries significant health consequences. Untreated, it is associated with cardiovascular disease, metabolic dysfunction, impaired cognitive performance, and elevated risk of road traffic accidents. Appropriate and timely treatment, from the right practitioner, can substantially reduce this burden.
The Dentist’s Role in Airway Management
Dentists are often the first clinicians to observe physical signs of sleep-disordered breathing. During routine examination, findings such as tooth wear from bruxism, scalloped tongue edges, a high, narrow palate, or retrognathic jaw position may all point to compromised airway function during sleep.
Airway dentistry training teaches practitioners to interpret these findings clinically, to screen appropriately using validated tools, and to determine whether further investigation or direct treatment is indicated. The introduction to dental sleep medicine provided by BADSM outlines the foundational concepts behind this clinical approach.
Treatment Options for Sleep Disordered Breathing
Dentists working in airway dentistry have a number of treatment options available, both as direct providers and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Oral Appliance Therapy
The primary dental intervention for sleep disordered breathing is the mandibular advancement device (MAD). MADs are custom-fitted oral appliances worn during sleep that hold the lower jaw in a slightly forward position, helping to maintain upper airway patency and reduce the frequency of apnoea events.
For mild-to-moderate OSA and for patients who cannot tolerate CPAP, oral appliance therapy is recommended in current clinical guidelines as an effective first-line treatment. MADs are also widely used for primary snoring, particularly where patients prefer a less intrusive alternative to positive airway pressure therapy.
Delivering oral appliance therapy requires training in device selection, fitting, titration, and long-term management, all of which are covered in BADSM’s structured dental sleep medicine courses.
Myofunctional Therapy
Myofunctional therapy involves targeted exercises for the tongue, lips, and pharyngeal muscles designed to improve muscle tone in the upper airway. There is growing evidence that orofacial myofunctional exercises can reduce the severity of OSA, particularly in conjunction with other treatments.
Dentists with training in airway dentistry are well placed to incorporate myofunctional assessment and, where appropriate, refer patients to myofunctional therapists as part of a broader care plan.
Positional Therapy and Lifestyle Modifications
For some patients, sleep disordered breathing is positional, occurring predominantly when sleeping supine. Positional therapy devices and behavioural strategies to encourage lateral sleeping can reduce apnoea frequency in these cases.
Lifestyle factors, including weight management, reduction of alcohol intake before sleep, and nasal optimisation, also have an evidence base in managing sleep disordered breathing. Dentists working in airway dentistry can provide structured advice and direct patients to appropriate support alongside clinical treatment.
Referral and Multidisciplinary Care
Not all patients presenting with signs of sleep-disordered breathing are suitable for dental management alone. Some require further investigation via home sleep testing or polysomnography (PSG) before treatment decisions can be made. Others may need CPAP, surgical intervention, or specialist respiratory care.
A core competency in airway dentistry is knowing when to treat, when to refer, and how to coordinate care effectively. BADSM courses cover referral pathways, co-management with sleep physicians, and how to contribute meaningfully to multidisciplinary sleep teams.
Airway Dentistry in the UK
The role of airway dentistry in the UK is evolving quickly. Changes to NICE guidance have formally recognised oral appliance therapy as a recommended treatment for OSA, increasing both patient awareness and clinical demand for dentists with the relevant training.
Dentists looking to practise airway dentistry in the UK, or patients searching for airway dentistry near them, are increasingly finding that dedicated training programmes and professional bodies like BADSM provide the credentialing and support needed to work in this area confidently and safely.
How BADSM Supports Airway Dentistry
BADSM exists to empower dental professionals to work at the forefront of sleep medicine. Our training programmes, from introductory sessions to postgraduate certification, are designed by and for dental practitioners working in airway dentistry. Becoming a BADSM member connects you with a community of trained clinicians, access to continuing education, and a professional framework for practising airway dentistry with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What conditions does airway dentistry address?
Airway dentistry primarily addresses sleep disordered breathing conditions including primary snoring, upper airway resistance syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnoea. It may also play a role in managing mouth breathing and craniofacial developmental concerns, though these are typically addressed in collaboration with other specialists.
Can a dentist diagnose sleep apnoea?
Dentists can screen patients for signs and symptoms of sleep apnoea using validated tools, but a formal diagnosis requires a sleep study interpreted by a qualified sleep physician or respiratory consultant. Dentists trained in airway dentistry work within co-management frameworks that include appropriate medical oversight.
How do I find airway dentistry near me?
The BADSM member directory is a useful resource for patients and referrers looking for dentists trained in dental sleep medicine and airway dentistry across the UK. You can also contact BADSM directly for guidance on finding a qualified practitioner.
Is airway dentistry training recognised in the UK?
Yes. Training through BADSM is recognised within the dental sleep medicine community and aligns with current standards of care. Completing accredited airway dentistry training in the UK is an important step for dentists who want to practise in this area with appropriate clinical and medico-legal standing.
