Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Looking beyond the teeth and saving lives!
Dentists are uniquely positioned among healthcare providers to easily evaluate for signs of obstructive sleep apnea. Oral appliance therapy performed by a qualified dentist can also be an effective treatment, literally saving lives. In this lecture Dr. Spencer will review the basics of normal sleep, snoring and obstructive sleep apnea in adults and children. Your attendees will most likely be thinking that THEY and everyone they know must have sleep apnea before he is through! Don’t worry though, he will also cover diagnosis and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea, including the dentist’s role and appliance selection.
This lecture includes the basics of normal sleep, snoring and sleep apnea in adults in children, and the dental professional's role in screening, referral and treatment of snoring and sleep apnea using oral appliances alone and in conjunction with CPAP as part of a multi-disciplinary team. The bruxism/sleep apnea connection will also be discussed, helping dentists see the relationship between so called "dental parafunction" and sleep apnea. Unlike many manufacturer based lectures, Dr. Spencer will review many of the most popular oral appliances and discuss pros and cons of each.
This lecture is available in half day, full-day, and full-day with hands on formats (hands on limited to 24-30 participants).
This lecture includes the basics of normal sleep, snoring and sleep apnea in adults in children, and the dental professional's role in screening, referral and treatment of snoring and sleep apnea using oral appliances alone and in conjunction with CPAP as part of a multi-disciplinary team. The bruxism/sleep apnea connection will also be discussed, helping dentists see the relationship between so called "dental parafunction" and sleep apnea. Unlike many manufacturer based lectures, Dr. Spencer will review many of the most popular oral appliances and discuss pros and cons of each.
This lecture is available in half day, full-day, and full-day with hands on formats (hands on limited to 24-30 participants).
All TMJ Patients are NUTS, right? How to evaluate, diagnosis and treat the most common TMJ problems
TMJ disorders are one of those areas where almost every dentist feels uncomfortable. In dental school we didn’t get much classroom information, and little or no clinical experience. Our treatments in practice are often hit and miss, without clarity on why sometimes we hit, and other times we miss. In this lecture Dr. Spencer will review the relevant anatomy and discuss simple examination, diagnosis and treatment techniques that will allow your attendees to STUN their next TMD patients with their understanding of the patient's issues, and allow them to help many more people.
This lecture is available in half day or full day formats.
Parafunction OR "Protective Function"
For decades we have blamed grinding and clenching of the teeth on 1. Stress and 2. Malocclusion. While certainly emotional stress and occlusal factors can play a role in the etiology of bruxism, it is becoming clear that for many patients obstructive airway issues are a major driving factor.
In this inter-active presentation Dr. Spencer takes the audience on an evidence based journey, and makes a strong case that the so called "parafunction" that wreaks havoc on our patient's teeth and on our best restorations may actually be "protective" in nature. This understanding may help with the diagnosis and actual treatment of the true underlying etiology of the bruxism.
With the case made that clenching and grinding may be the brain's way to protect itself from suffocation, the lecture will then focus on how to protect the patient, protect their teeth, protect their restorations and protect the dentist's practice.
This lecture is available in half day and 60-90 minute formats.
In this inter-active presentation Dr. Spencer takes the audience on an evidence based journey, and makes a strong case that the so called "parafunction" that wreaks havoc on our patient's teeth and on our best restorations may actually be "protective" in nature. This understanding may help with the diagnosis and actual treatment of the true underlying etiology of the bruxism.
With the case made that clenching and grinding may be the brain's way to protect itself from suffocation, the lecture will then focus on how to protect the patient, protect their teeth, protect their restorations and protect the dentist's practice.
This lecture is available in half day and 60-90 minute formats.
It's ALL about the Anatomy: Head and Neck Anatomy Review for Dental Professionals (with emphasis on local anesthesia)
Dentists spend hours and hours in the anatomy lab...their first semester of dental school. Our expertise in dental anatomy improves with clinical practice, but since we rarely have to deal with what lies under the skin and oral mucosa, it is easy to forget the basics of gross anatomy of the head and neck that we once had memorized.
However, a strong understanding of gross anatomy is critical to many aspects of general dentistry; from every day procedures like local anesthesia, to more seemingly complex issues like craniofacial pain and TMJ disorders. This lecture pulls back the skin to reveal the underlying anatomy and how this anatomy is related to every day practice.
Covering embryology, osteology, myology, neurology and the complexities of the TM Joints, with a brief discussion of the true definition of Centric Relation, the dental professional will leave the lecture with a much better practical knowledge of the anatomy that they affect every day.
In the half day version of this lecture there will be an emphasis on principles of local anesthesia with a review of all dental blocks and injection techniques. Another half day version connects the gross anatomy of the head and neck with techniques of medical acupuncture that, based on state laws, may be employed by the general dentist for anesthesia, control of the gag reflex, treatment of pain, and other uses within the scope of the practice of dentistry.
This lecture is available in 1 hour or half day formats.
However, a strong understanding of gross anatomy is critical to many aspects of general dentistry; from every day procedures like local anesthesia, to more seemingly complex issues like craniofacial pain and TMJ disorders. This lecture pulls back the skin to reveal the underlying anatomy and how this anatomy is related to every day practice.
Covering embryology, osteology, myology, neurology and the complexities of the TM Joints, with a brief discussion of the true definition of Centric Relation, the dental professional will leave the lecture with a much better practical knowledge of the anatomy that they affect every day.
In the half day version of this lecture there will be an emphasis on principles of local anesthesia with a review of all dental blocks and injection techniques. Another half day version connects the gross anatomy of the head and neck with techniques of medical acupuncture that, based on state laws, may be employed by the general dentist for anesthesia, control of the gag reflex, treatment of pain, and other uses within the scope of the practice of dentistry.
This lecture is available in 1 hour or half day formats.
Nightguards, Splints, Snore Guards and Sleep Apnea Appliances: Picking the Right Piece of Plastic for your Patients
Most dentists have VERY limited training in dental school regarding proper use of oral appliances for bruxism and virtually no practical training regarding appliances for TMJ problems, snoring or sleep apnea...yet our patients want and need these treatments.
Dr. Spencer discusses the latest science involving appliance therapy and gives a step by step approach to the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment planning that will allow the dentist to know what type of appliance to use, when to use it, how to fit it, what to look for in follow up, how to adjust it, and what to do long term. In this very practical lecture guidance is also given regarding bite registration techniques and fabrication of appliances "in-house" to save in lab costs and improve treatment outcomes.
This lecture is available in half day format or may also include a hands on session.
[email protected], Cell: 208.861.5687 Office: 208.376.3600
Dr. Spencer discusses the latest science involving appliance therapy and gives a step by step approach to the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment planning that will allow the dentist to know what type of appliance to use, when to use it, how to fit it, what to look for in follow up, how to adjust it, and what to do long term. In this very practical lecture guidance is also given regarding bite registration techniques and fabrication of appliances "in-house" to save in lab costs and improve treatment outcomes.
This lecture is available in half day format or may also include a hands on session.
[email protected], Cell: 208.861.5687 Office: 208.376.3600