Speaker:
Dr. Betsy Reynolds (RDH, MS), Dr. Brian Novy (DDS, FADIt)
Course description:
Despite spending a great deal of our lives snoozing, ‘sleep science’ is a relatively new field of study. Recent research demonstrates that we are sleeping less and experiencing oral and systemic consequences as a result. While the body rests and recuperates during sleep, the oral cavity rarely takes a break. In fact, while patients are sleeping, there is a great opportunity to encourage oral health. And it is not just the oral cavity that is affected by a lack of zzzzz’s. Studies suggest that sleeping less than the recommended amount of time may be linked to heightened inflammatory risk, obesity, cognitive function, depression, diabetes and more — and this lack of sleep is affecting the health and well-being of people of allages. This course is designed to ‘wake up’ course participants to the benefits of sleep and will encourage attendees to integrate a simple ‘slumber protocol’ to help patients lead healthier lives.
Participant objectives:
A. Describe how sleep impacts health and disease
B. Explain how the oral environment changes during sleep
C. Select disease management strategies for night-time use
D. Establish oral health rather than simply prevent disease