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Position Statement

CDA Position on Oral Appliance Therapy for Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea

February 1, 2021

The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) supports the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH) recommendations1 for treatment options related to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). All patients must have a medical assessment to determine the presence and severity of OSA. Snoring may be an indication of OSA.

OSA affects many Canadians and may result in snoring, and restless or interrupted sleep, among other conditions. As a result, when untreated, OSA is associated with significant long-term health problems. Identifying the specific options or approaches to treating OSA can be complex and may require interprofessional collaboration. Dentists, as members of an interdisciplinary team, can offer treatment options that can effectively treat specific patients.

CDA recommends that:

  • Patients with suspected snoring/OSA undergo a medical assessment to determine the presence and or severity of obstructive sleep apnea.
  • Dentists follow the current evidence-based recommendations and work directly with an attending physician prior to offering oral appliance therapy to reduce snoring.

1 New CADTH Recommendations Help Make Sense of Sleep Apnea Treatment Options - May 23, 2017

CDA Board of Directors
Approved: February 2005
Revised: February 2021

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