EPISODE 16 OF AIRWAY FIRST
Updated: Aug 21
Episode 16 of the Airway First podcast is now out! You can catch it on SoundCloud, Podbean, Anchor, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.
Dr. Dassani has practiced dentistry for over two decades. She is passionate about the role of the dentist in whole body health. She frequently sees patients for whom the dentist is the only consistent medical provider. By screening patients, connecting them with appropriate specialists, and devising treatment plans, Dr. Dassani can change lives.
For the last 11 years, she has begun to identify and treat adult and pediatric sleep apnea in her practice. Her in-depth knowledge of orofacial anatomy allows her to help patients with underlying defects of the tongue, jaw, and palate. Some have reached adulthood without ever being educated about how the shape of their skull affects their breathing and sleep. Dr. Dassani works to educate fellow dental professionals about sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) so that these treatments can become more easily available to patients throughout North America.
A writer as well as a clinician, Dr. Dassani has published four books on sleep apnea and the dental practice: Airway Is Life, The Dentists Guide To Sleep Apnea Implementation, Healthy Sleep, Happy Kids, and Sleep. Breathe. Dream. All books are available through Amazon.com.
You can find out more about Dr. Dassani at meghnadassani.com.
Dentist fix more than just teeth. We are sometimes a quarterback for a child's health. ~ Meghna Dassani, DMD
Show Notes:
Dr. Meghna Dassani: https://www.meghnadassani.com/
Healthy Sleep Happy Kids: A Parents Guide to Sleep Apnea and Kids: Purchase on Amazon
Sleep. Breathe. Dream: Saving Lives One Snore at a Time: Purchase on Amazon
Healthy Sleep Revolution Podcast: https://www.meghnadassani.com/for-parents/podcast/
Airway is Life: Purchase on Amazon
The Dentist's Guide To Sleep Apnea Implementation: Purchase on Amazon
Signs and Symptoms of Airway Issues in Children
Mouth breathing
crowding of teeth/shark teeth
Deviated septum
Chronic chapped lips
V-shaped palette
Enlarged tonsils
A tongue that "looks too big" or has scalloped edges
Chronic teeth clenching or teeth grinding
Chronic snoring or audible breathing
Bed wetting at a later age
Restless sleep
Hard to wake
Dark circles under the eyes
These are just a few of the signs and symptoms of airway disorders and sleep issues in children that we discussed in our interview with Dr. Dassani. You find out more details on our website and blogs.
BOOKS BY DR. MEGHNA DASSANI
Looking for more from Dr. Dassani? Add these resources to your library:
In Airway is Life, Dr. Meghna Dassani, DMD gives you the information you need to spot sleep-disordered breathing and other issues so that you can get the help that you and your family need.
Why are stages of sleep important?
What diagnosis might show that sleep is an underlying issue?
How can you convince your doctor to prescribe a sleep study?
Dr. Dassani's engaging, accessible work will give you the tools you need to protect your family's sleep breathing and change their lives.
Kids around the globe are experiencing a sleep crisis. Sometimes, they can’t sleep because of anxiety or too much screen time. But other times, the problem runs deeper.
For some children, the lack of high-quality, restful sleep is due to sleep-disordered breathing. When children can’t breathe properly, they can’t sleep. And a lack of sleep negatively impacts children’s healthy development and puts them in crisis.
The Tired Child provides parents and healthcare providers with a comprehensive look at pediatric sleep-disordered breathing. It dives into why sleep is so important and shares how to get kids the proper treatment if they have a sleep condition, like obstructive sleep apnea.