How to Build a Successful Career in Airway Dentistry

Airway dentistry is a relatively new branch of dentistry focused on optimising breathing patterns for better health. Research is being conducted on the link between sleep and oral health, and how airway health and breathing patterns impact sleep quality and dental wellbeing.

What Is Airway Dentistry?

Airway dentistry involves assessing the structure, function, and behaviours of the oral cavity, with a particular focus on the bite and palate. These aspects are closely linked to essential functions such as chewing, swallowing, speaking, and, most importantly, breathing.

This field addresses a wide range of oral issues that can impact breathing, including sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnoea. The goal of airway dentistry is to restore functional breathing and improve overall health.

Should Dentistry Be Involved in Airway Care?

Short answer: yes! Dentistry has always played a role in airway care. Everything from teeth guards to prevent grinding, to retainers that help with jaw alignment, can contribute to better breathing.

The American Sleep Apnoea Association estimates that approximately 22 million people in the U.S. suffer from sleep apnoea. Since dentists ideally see their patients twice a year, it makes sense for them to conduct at least a basic screening for sleep-disordered breathing.

Starting a Career in Airway Dentistry

To specialise in airway dentistry, you will need to complete a course that covers the fundamentals of airway assessment. This includes taking a patient’s history and performing a physical examination to evaluate their anatomy and physiology.

Your goals in this course will be to:

• Learn basic airway assessment, pre-anaesthetic history, and physical evaluation.
• Understand how to review the airway, respiratory physiology, and the effects of sedative drugs.
• Practise motor skills for basic airway management, including relieving obstructions, using adjuncts (nasal/oropharyngeal airways), and performing mask ventilation.
• Develop skills for placing and maintaining advanced airways, such as the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) and endotracheal tube (ETT).
• Gain knowledge of emergency response protocols.

Upon completion, you will be certified in fundamental airway management, allowing you to embark on your career in airway dentistry.

Why Are Airway Dentists Important?

Airway-focused dentists play a crucial role in identifying and treating issues related to breathing and oral health. They can assist patients experiencing symptoms such as:

• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Difficulty concentrating
• Poor overall health and dental wellbeing
• Frequent tiredness
• Cracked teeth
• Mouth or chest breathing
• Multiple tonsil or adenoid removals
• Lack of restful sleep
• Sleep apnoea
• TMJ (temporomandibular joint) problems

Since oral health directly impacts breathing, airway dentistry addresses dysfunctions that can lead to serious health concerns, including tinnitus, TMJ disorders, sleep-related breathing disorders, headaches, fatigue, and concentration difficulties.

How Can Airway Dentistry Help With Breathing Issues?

To build a successful career in airway dentistry, you must understand how to help patients with breathing issues, which are often related to the structure of the oral cavity. As an airway dentist, you will assess these areas and develop treatment plans to address specific concerns.

What to Look for in a Patient’s Breathing and Oral Health

Structure: Explain to your patients that nasal breathing is preferred over mouth breathing. Nasal breathing ensures that the air is filtered and hydrated, while mouth breathing allows unfiltered air to enter the system, potentially leading to inflammation of the adenoids and tonsils, which may obstruct the airway.

Mouth breathing is also a key indicator of sleep disorders like sleep apnoea. When airway blockages occur during sleep, the body compensates by switching to mouth breathing, which can cause dry mouth and further destabilise oral health.

Function: During everyday activities like chewing and swallowing, breathing occurs through the nasal passages, with the tongue resting against the upper palate and the lips closed. If nasal breathing is obstructed, mouth breathing takes over, making it difficult to chew and breathe simultaneously.

Similarly, during speech, improper coordination between breathing and tongue placement can contribute to speech disorders. Over time, dysfunctional habits develop, causing further imbalances in breathing, chewing, and speaking.

Behaviour: It is your responsibility as an airway dentist to help patients break these dysfunctional habits and develop treatment plans tailored to their needs. Their oral health is directly linked to their airway health, and addressing one often improves the other.

Problems That Arise When Breathing and Respiration Are Out of Sync

When there is a misalignment between breathing and respiration, a range of symptoms can arise, negatively impacting both oral health and overall wellbeing. Some of the most common symptoms include:

• Cognitive issues such as brain fog, poor memory, and attention deficits
• Heart-related problems like palpitations
• Muscle pains, including weakness, cramps, and fatigue
• Dizziness, fainting, and coordination difficulties
• Respiratory issues, such as shortness of breath and asthma-like symptoms
• Mental health concerns, including anxiety, fear, and panic attacks
• Sleep apnoea-related fatigue and decreased performance
• Peripheral symptoms like tingling, trembling, and numbness
• Abdominal discomfort, including bloating, nausea, and cramping
• Sensory changes such as blurred vision, dry mouth, and reduced pain tolerance

Final Thoughts

A career in airway dentistry is both rewarding and essential, as it plays a crucial role in improving patients’ breathing and overall health. By understanding the link between airway health and oral function, you can make a significant impact on your patients’ wellbeing. With the right training and dedication, you can build a successful career in this evolving field.