On a Mission to Advance Airway Education (w/Dr. Audrey Yoon) [Ep.64]

Don’t miss this fascinating conversation with the amazing and world-renowned Dr. Audrey Yoon!  We discuss:How Audrey’s journey in sleep medicine began and the role her training at UCLA played in that journey.The role that Dr. Stanley Liu played in Audrey’s passion for airway-focused orthodontic treatment.How an interaction with Dr. Christian Guilleminault (“CG”) changed Audrey’s life and launched her into a career focused on airway adult and pediatric airway. How Audrey and Mike were both inspired by medical colleagues to go out and teach about airway orthodontics.The challenges associated with using polysomnography and AHI classification for diagnosis of pediatric sleep apnea, and why CG expressed regret for creating an AHI scale for pediatric patients.The potential for a blood test that determines if a child has sleep apnea.Why it is logistically challenging and medically unethical to conduct a double-blinded RCT on the effects of with treatment and control groups.The plethora of literature that exists demonstrating the positive impact of expansion on airway patency.The difference between anatomical and neuromotor factors in the etiology of OSA/SDB.The role the dentist/orthodontist can play in the correction of anatomical factors that contribute to OSA/SDB.The recent position statement of the AADSM regarding the impact of different treatment modalities on OSA.The reason why many orthodontists remain reluctant to incorporate airway-centered treatment into their practices.Audrey’s message to the people who say that it is inappropriate or even malpractice to treat children under the age of 6yo.The fact that the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry lists growth disturbances and airway problems as some of the considerations for treatment at any age that the issue is detected.Why Audrey sees a number of referrals from her medical colleagues seeking assistance with sleep-related breathing issues.What Audrey is working on now to advance the role of orthodontists in sleep medicine, including forming the World Dentofacial Sleep Society.And much, much more!!