Ep. 682 - Airway Sleep Dentistry in the Pediatric Population

Are you missing critical signs that could change a young patient's life trajectory? Many pediatric patients sitting in your chair today may be suffering from undiagnosed airway obstruction and sleep disorders that will impact their dental health, academic performance, and overall development for years to come.

Dr. Jacqueline Patterson brings over fifteen years of experience as both a general dentist and orofacial myofunctional therapist to this essential discussion. She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery from UC San Francisco, her undergraduate degree in Dental Hygiene from UNC Chapel Hill, and completed specialized training as an Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist through the International Association of Oral Myologists. Dr. Patterson has successfully treated her own three children for airway issues and now dedicates her practice to helping families achieve better sleep and optimal oral development.

This episode explores the critical window of opportunity that exists during childhood development when airway interventions can piggyback on natural growth patterns. Dr. Patterson shares her systematic approach to identifying at-risk patients through physical examination findings, behavioral questionnaires, and parent consultations. The conversation covers both screening protocols for general practitioners and treatment pathways involving expansion appliances, myofunctional therapy, and collaborative care with sleep medicine specialists.

Episode Highlights:

• Physical examination red flags include mouth breathing posture, forward head positioning, venous pooling under the eyes, and malocclusions such as crowding in primary dentition, open bite, crossbite, and Class III relationships. These findings often indicate underdevelopment of the jaw and compromised airway space that requires immediate attention.
• Behavioral screening through parent questionnaires reveals sleep disturbances like noisy breathing, snoring, frequent awakening, bedwetting beyond age five, and paradoxical hyperactivity during daytime hours. These symptoms often correlate with sleep-disordered breathing that affects cognitive development and academic performance.
• Early intervention strategies utilize the child's natural growth potential through upper and lower jaw expansion, trainer appliances, and FDA-approved home sleep testing for pediatric patients. Treatment timing is critical, as intervention before age twelve allows clinicians to guide proper jaw development rather than compensating for deficient growth later.
• Untreated airway obstruction leads to cascading health problems including increased caries rates, periodontal disease susceptibility, TMJ disorders, chronic head and neck pain, and potential need for tooth extractions during orthodontic treatment. These consequences often persist into adulthood as cardiovascular and neurological complications.
• Professional development pathways exist through organizations like Myofunctional Research Company, Healthy Start, Vivos, and Foundation for Airway Health, which offer introductory courses for screening and treatment protocols. Virtual platforms now enable remote consultation and therapy delivery, expanding access to specialized care across geographic boundaries.

Perfect for: General dentists, pediatric dentists, orthodontists, and dental hygienists who want to expand their diagnostic skills in airway assessment and learn evidence-based intervention strategies for the pediatric population.

Discover how early airway intervention can transform both your practice and your patients' lives while preventing decades of health complications.