Are general dental practitioners effective in the management of non-apnoeic snoring using mandibular advancement appliances?

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

This study assessed the effectiveness of general dental practitioners (GDPs) in the management of subjects with non-apnoeic snoring using a mandibular advancement appliance (MAA), following a one day training course.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS:

Sixty subjects suffering from simple, non-apnoeic snoring were treated by 15 GDPs, in three hospital centres, using a monobloc mandibular advancement appliance design. All GDPs attended a one day training course prior to the study which covered theoretical and practical training in the use of mandibular advancement appliances. Snoring and level of disturbance were assessed using a questionnaire completed by their sleeping partner before and after a three month treatment period. Daytime sleepiness was assessed by the patients using the Epworth sleepiness scale questionnaire (ESS) before and after a three month treatment period. In addition, patients completed an outcome questionnaire, to assess side-effects experienced from the MAA.

RESULTS:

A success rate of 48% (95% CI 0.35, 0.61) was achieved in partner-assessed snoring and disturbance levels, following a three month period of MAA treatment. The median ESS score reduced from 9 to 7.5 (95% CI 0, 3). General dental practitioners experienced problems during protrusive bite registrations, with 10% being judged inadequate.

CONCLUSION:

GDPs were not effective in the management of non-apnoeic snoring using a monobloc appliance after a one day training course. Further training and/or selection of a different design of appliance should be considered for GDPs to become highly competent in this area.

• Authors: S K J Church, S J Littlewood, A Blance, A J Gowans, T M Hodge, R J Spencer, A Johal
• Journal: British dental journal (Br Dent J) Vol. 206 Issue 8 Pg. E15; discussion 416-7 (Apr 25 2009) ISSN: 1476-5373 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 19360023 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Multicenter Study)

Topics

• Adult
• Dental Impression Technique
• Dental Service, Hospital
• Dentists
• Education, Dental, Continuing
• England
• Equipment Design
• Follow-Up Studies
• General Practice, Dental (education)
• Humans
• Jaw Relation Record (methods)
• Mandibular Advancement (adverse effects, instrumentation)
• Prospective Studies
• Sleep Stages (physiology)
• Snoring (diagnosis, therapy)
• Teaching (methods)
• Treatment Outcome