New Guidelines Recognize Convenience of Teledentistry While Ensuring Optimal Patient Care

The American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine introduces clinical standards considering patient care while recognizing convenience.

LISLE, Ill., April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) has released updated standards for dentists who treat and manage obstructive sleep apnea and snoring using oral appliance therapy (OAT). These new standards reflect the latest advancements in the industry and provide guidelines on the integration of teledentistry while maintaining the highest standards of patient care.

"We understand patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnea want convenient solutions. Obstructive sleep apnea is a medical condition that significantly impacts quality of life and is associated with serious health conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and stroke," said Michelle Cantwell, DMD, President-elect of the AADSM's Board of Directors. "We feel this new guidance strikes the right balance between leveraging teledentistry for convenience and preserving the in-person care that patients should receive for effective treatment."

In these updated standards, the AADSM has identified three critical components of OAT to be completed in person, specifically noting they are essential for ensuring treatment accuracy, patient safety, proper fit, and long-term success.

The three hands-on steps include:

• The comprehensive dental sleep medicine examination where the dentist assesses the patient's existing restorations (like fillings, crowns and dentures), their teeth and bite, the temporomandibular joint, and craniofacial structures to ensure that the patient is a suitable candidate for oral appliance therapy.
• Taking dental impressions, which are imprints of your teeth, gums and surrounding oral structures taken with a digital scanner or with dental putty and must be precise to create a custom-fit appliance that fits correctly, is comfortable and effectively treats obstructive sleep apnea.
• Taking a bite registration, which is a personalized measurement that helps the dentist find the best starting position for your appliance.

"The American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine's updated standards provide much-needed clarity on the role of teledentistry in oral appliance therapy. While virtual appointments can improve access to care, clinical experience and expertise show that certain steps should be performed in person to ensure optimal outcomes," Dr. Cantwell added.

The revised standards serve as a vital resource for dentists who provide oral appliance therapy, offering a framework that balances technological innovation with in-person patient care. By upholding rigorous clinical protocols, the AADSM continues to advance the field of dental sleep medicine while prioritizing patient care and treatment effectiveness. For more details on the updated AADSM standards, please visit: https://www.aadsm.org/standards_for_practice.php.

About the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine
Established in 1991, the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) is the only national non-profit professional society dedicated exclusively to the practice of dental sleep medicine. The AADSM represents over 3,000 dentists across the U.S. who treat sleep-disordered breathing, which includes obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with oral appliance therapy (OAT). For more information, visit www.aadsm.org.

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SOURCE The American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine