Episode 37: Dr. Erin Elliott is Changing the way people breath!

Dr. Erin Elliott - Changing the Way People Breathe (and Sleep!) Kindly sponsored by our friends at Dentsply Sirona and recorded live at Voices of Dentistry! In this episode, Irene and Katrina chat about the importance of staying up with CE during this downtime from private practice. Irene watched an awesome webinar about how to handle a global pandemic.  Here are some awesome FREE CE courses to tune into brought to you by Dentsply Sirona:  Current Infection Prevention Protocols and Recommendations - Are you in Compliance? Current Infection Prevention Protocols and Recommendations – Are you in Compliance? - Part 2   Instagram: @erinelliottdds Email: [email protected] Podcast: The ZZZ Pack   Are you or a loved one not getting the sleep they deserve? This episode will give you some wow moments about airway and breathing issues.  This week we are thrilled to invite Dr. Erin Elliott to the show. Dr. Elliott specializes in dental sleep medicine. She has spearheaded a movement in dentistry to help dentists and patients identify the signs of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and eliminate the myriad problems caused by this condition.   In this podcast, Dr. Erin Elliott answers tons of our questions such as: ● Can a dentist diagnose sleep apnea? ● Should a dentist or RDH tell a patient if they are at risk for broader medical conditions? ● What are the telltale signs of sleep apnea? ● Is there a special checklist a dental hygienist can use to help identify obstructive sleep apnea? ● Could melatonin be a cause of sleep apnea? We are pleased to present to the dental community:   The Elliott Evaluator is linked below and can be found on our website Toothordare.ca Dr. Elliott has created a visual checklist for all dental peeps to help identify signs of sleep apnea. Click here to download Dr. Erin Elliott's checklist for sleep signs in the mouth.  Click the link above, print it out, and use it in your practice!   What to look for when identifying sleep apnea: ● Bruxing wear (treating the airway makes bruxing events go down) ● Scalloped tongue ● Airway swelling ● Acid Reflux   The Big 4: If a patient has a history of these, they are at risk for OSA: ● Hypertension ● Acid Reflux medication ● Anti-depressants ● Diabetes medication   Dental hygienists have an opportunity to make a life-changing difference to the health and the well-being of patients by asking patients these simple questions. Hygienists can be powerful educators in the time they spend by the patients’ side.   Dr. Erin Elliott’s Links: https://sleepapneanw.com https://www.vivalearning.com/member/classroom.asp?x_classID=3281 Dr. Erin Elliott's webinar will give you an overview of dental sleep medicine and how you can improve your patients' health and quality of life.   ---- Follow us on Instagram! Podcast IG: @toothordare.podcast Irene: @toothlife.irene Katrina: @thedentalwinegenist