Management of sleep-disordered breathing in dental practice

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is a prevalent yet frequently underdiagnosed condition associated with substantial cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurocognitive morbidity in adults, as well as impaired growth and behavioral development in children. Because dentists regularly encounter patients of all ages and routinely examine the oral and maxillofacial structures that contribute to upper airway patency, they are well-positioned to participate in the early identification and multidisciplinary management of SDB. This narrative review summarizes the pathophysiology and risk factors of SDB and discusses screening tools applicable to the dental office, along with their diagnostic limitations. The review further outlines the multidisciplinary treatment of SDB and highlights the dentist's role in its management. Integrating dentists into the multidisciplinary care team is critical to improving both sleep and systemic health outcomes.