The American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) Mastery Program will ensure that dentists have the necessary training and skills to provide oral appliance therapy (OAT) to patients with sleep-related breathing disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and snoring, according to the organization.
“With more and more Americans being diagnosed with sleep apnea, there’s a growing need for dentists who are highly skilled in dental sleep medicine,” said AADSM president Harold A. Smith, DDS. “By creating a standard education program, we can ensure that dentists have the necessary training and education requirements to prove that they are experts in this field and capable of providing optimal patient care.”
Launching in September in Oak Brook, Illinois, the program will comprise 65 hours of learning split into three sessions: Mastery I, II, and III. Each session will consist of two and a half days of in-person courses for 20 ADA CERP continuing education (CE) hours. Mastery I will provide an additional five CE hours due to the prerequisites that attendees must complete ahead of time. Dentists also will be required to complete clinical work between courses.
After completing Mastery I, attendees will be eligible to earn the Qualified Dentist Designation. The Mastery Program also offers a new pathway for dentists to achieve American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine (ABDSM) Diplomate status. Individuals who complete all three Mastery sessions will be eligible to sit for the ABDSM certification examination.
“Being an ABDSM Diplomate is a prestigious status that requires a commitment to continuing education as well as dedication to our field. We encourage all dentists who want to provide oral appliance therapy to get the requisite training through the Mastery Program and become ABDSM Diplomates,” said Smith.
Related Articles
Research Trends Emerge at Dental Sleep Medicine Conference
Dentist-Physician Collaboration Fundamental to Dental Sleep Medicine
Common Red Flags for Continuing Education in Dental Sleep Medicine
