DENTAL HYGIENISTS:

SCREEN FOR SLEEP APNEA
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is partial or complete
obstruction of the airway during sleep. (1) OSA affects sleep
quality and is linked with overall health and conditions like
periodontal disease because oxidative stress raises the level of
inflammatory cytokines in the bloodstream, contributing to
chronic inflammation. (2) OSA and periodontal disease share
similar risk factors like diabetes, tobacco smoking, and obesity.
(3) Mouth breathing due to OSA increases xerostomia, in turn
increasing periodontal pathogens. (3)

7x greater

OSA Screening

(4)

snoring

high BMI (>35)

daytime tiredness

age over 50

obstruction during sleep

neck circumference (>40 cm)

high blood pressure

gender (male)

Refer to MD if five or more symptoms are present
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF OSA,
visit HealthLinkBC.ca
References:
1. Zhang Z, Ge S, Zhai G, You S, Cut Z, Si S, et al., Incidence and risk of periodontitis in obstructive sleep apnea: A meta-analysis. PLOS One
[Internet]. 2022 Jul 21 [cited 2024 Feb 28];17(7):[about 13 pp.]. Available from: https://tinyurl.com/fbspcx64
2. Kim S, Son M, Kim Y. Risk of chronic periodontitis in patients with obstructive sleep apnea in Korea: a nationwide retrospective cohort
study. Epidemiol Health [Internet]. 2023 Mar 6 [cited 2024 Feb 28]; 45:[about 6pp.]. Available from: https://tinyurl.com/y6yb4mus
3. Ytzhaik N, Zur D, Goldstein C, Almoznino G. Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Metabolic Dysfunction, and Periodontitis-Machine Learning and
Statistical Analyses of the Dental, Oral, Medical Epidemiological (DOME) Big Data Study. Metabolites [Internet]. 2023 May [cited 2024 Apr
15];13(5):[about 18pp.]. Available from: https://tinyurl.com/4dkretnd
4. Tassew WC, Woldie SS, Ferede YA, Zeleke AM. Obstructive sleep apnea risk and associated factors among patients with type 2 diabetes
mellitus in Africa: systematic review and meta-analysis. SSP [Internet]. 2024 Sep 10 [cited 2024 Oc 8];8(14):[about 10pp.]. Available from:
https://tinyurl.com/yk7243sv

Prepared by VCC Dental Hygiene Students November 2024
Christine Beyleveldt, Flavia Fox, Tianna Huston, Emma Westcott