Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a type of sleep-disordered breathing that is characterized by recurrent episodes of partial or complete collapse of the upper airway during sleep causing impaired gaseous exchange and sleep disturbances (1-3). The American Academy of Sleep Medicine classified OSA according to apnoea-hypopnea index (AHI) and degree of daytime sleepiness. AHI can be defined as number apnoea and hypopneas per hour of sleep. The AHI classification are mild with AHI of 5 to 15, moderate with AHI of 16 to 30 and severe with AHI >30 (1-3). The degree of daytime sleepiness can be defined as unwanted sleepiness or involuntary sleep episodes occurring during activities. The classification of degree of daytime sleepiness are mild during activities that need little attention, moderate during activities that need some …show more content…
People who are obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) (10), older in age (>65 years old) (11), smoking (12) and consuming alcohol are at higher risk to get OSA (1-2). Several craniofacial features may suggest presence of OSA such as having increased neck circumference (>43cm in men, >41cm in women), the presence of retronagthia, lateral peritonsillar narrowing, macroglossia, tonsillar hypertrophy, elongated/ enlarged uvula, high arched/ narrow hard palate, nasal abnormalities (polyps, deviation, valve abnormalities, turbinate hypertrophy) and/ or overjet (7, 13). It is crucial for dental officers to recognize these craniofacial features during dental visits in order to do referral for appropriate management of OSA.
The gold standard diagnostic tool to establish diagnosis of OSA is an overnight in-laboratory polysomnography (PSG) (1-2, 8). Home sleep monitoring devices is another option to diagnose OSA especially for moderate and severe OSA (1-2, 8). Screening tools like Berlin Questionnaire (21) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) (22) were developed as an adjunct to detect patients at high risk for OSA