Improving Patient Compliance to Sleep Apnea Treatment

CPAP therapy is considered often as the first choice to treat obstructive sleep apnea. Although this type of therapy is very effective, studies estimate that 40-60 % of patients do not continue to use their CPAP devices after the first year.

At the 19th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) in San Antonio, I attended a presentation discussing points to consider in helping patients stick to recommended treatment for apnea. Even though the study’s target was CPAP patients, I believe that the same factors would be likely to help patients continue with oral appliance therapy for snoring and apnea. Even though the compliance has been estimated to be much higher than CPAP therapy at approximately 80%, important points could help oral appliance users increase the likelihood to stick with their therapy.

Some of these points are:
- It is important for patients to know the f importance of treating apnea and the consequences of no treatment.
- If comfort is fairly high early in treatment, there is more chance of patients continuing with treatment long term.
- Close follow-up between prescribed dentist and patients is very important so as to help patients with any obstacles that are uncovered during use of appliances
- If patients are motivated to use the oral devices, they will have a better chance of success.
- If the patient embraces a healthy life style such as good eating habits, not smoking, etc, they often are more likely to adhere to recommended treatment
At our practice, Dental Sleep Medicine of Illinois, we follow the guidelines of the AADSM which include close follow-up and guidance to help our patients with obstacles and to increase successful outcomes. Our wonderful staff is here as well to help with questions and concerns regarding this type of therapy.

Dr. Lydia Sosenko, D.D.S., D.ABDSM
for Dental Sleep Medicine of Illinois
1100 Sherman Ave. Suite 103
Naperville, Il 60563
1-630-369-5508
www.TiredofSnoring.com

This entry was posted on June 22, 2010 at June 22, 2010 and is filed under Information From Out Dentists, National Sleep Conference Updates, Oral Appliance Therapy, Sleep Article Summary. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.