ABOUT US
It is now recognized that sleep disorders affect at least one third of the society on some level. Problems range from insomnia on an occasional basis to excessive daytime sleepiness to the point of falling asleep behind the wheel. In 1991The National Commission on Sleep Disorders Research reported to Congress that over $30 billion is lost every year as a result of sleep related issues in the United States.
The field of Sleep Disorders Medicine has evolved extensively over the past twenty years, but unfortunately there is a significant lack of education and awareness amongst most health care professionals. In a study published in 1993 all 126 American Medical Schools were surveyed to determine how much time is spent teaching medical students anything on the topic of sleep: researchers found that on average only two hours are spent on the topic of sleep during the four years of medical school.
It is also now recognized that obstructive breathing during sleep, which causes snoring, is interrelated to the jaw and tongue position during sleep. Movement of the jaw can either help or hinder the breathing process. Many patients who grind and clench their teeth at night do so in an attempt to help keep the airway open and prevent obstructive respirations.
One of the main goals of the Sleep Education Consortium is to provide continuing medical education (CME) courses for physicians that will help them identify and treat patients with the most common of sleep disturbances. Additionally, public education is clearly necessary in order to motivate the primary care physicians who have to address their patients health questions. Enhancing the education of the general public on sleep problems will also help achieve the overall goal of the Sleep Education Consortium by creating a more educated population base, which will then bring their questions and concerns to their primary care physician.
SLEEP DISORDERS
ADHD / ADD AND SLEEP
A child suffering from a sleep disorder can have a chronic condition of an un-rested nervous system and behavioral changes.
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PARASOMNIAS
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Parasomnias refer to various disruptive sleep-related events that occur only or predominantly during the main sleep period.
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DAYTIME SLEEPINESS
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Excessive daytime drowsiness is a tendency to sleep at inappropriate times regardless of activity or circumstance.
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RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME
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This condition is characterized by uncomfortable, unsettled, restless sensations in the legs or feet usually while lying in bed at night before going to sleep.
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FIBROMYALGIA / CHRONIC FATIGUE
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Patients with Fibromyalgia experience poor slow-wave sleep; lack of this slow-wave sleep is known to increase a person's susceptibility to pain.
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SLEEP HYGIENE
Good sleep hygiene is important for adults, but it's critically important for growing children as it helps to promote a healthy immune system and mental health.
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SNORING AND SLEEP APNEA
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Snoring typically occurs when the tongue and throat muscles relax during sleep causing the airway space in the back of the throat to narrow.
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NOCTURNAL BRUXISM
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Involuntary grinding and clenching of teeth at night, known as Nocturnal Bruxism, is a significant problem for millions of Americans.
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EPILEPSY AND CONCUSSIONS​
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Epilepsy is a neurological condition causing recurring seizures. Concussions can disrupt brain waves and sleeping–causing worsening Epilepsy symptoms.​
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Rob Veis, DDS
My collaboration with Dr. Simmons began in the mid-1990s and has shaped my practice of dentistry and dental sleep medicine in profound ways. Few physicians understand the critical relationship between the mouth, the airway, and systemic health—how dentistry intersects with breathing, sleep, and overall wellness. Dr. Simmons not only understands this connection, he has devoted his career to teaching it and elevating the knowledge base of the entire medical community.
Working alongside Dr. Simmons has significantly enhanced my ability to provide my patients with the highest level of care in sleep medicine. His guidance has allowed me to integrate sleep appliances more effectively and confidently into my treatment protocols. Because we collaborate as a true team, I am not limited to a single modality of care. Instead, I can offer a more comprehensive, customized approach—including combination therapy when appropriate, such as pairing sleep apnea treatment with orthodontic or other oral appliance therapy.
This partnership has broadened what is possible for my patients and strengthened the clinical outcomes I am able to achieve.”
SEC DENTAL SLEEP CONFERENCE
