New York, NY (Vocus) June 11, 2009 -

Laurence Barsh, DMD spoke at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine in Seattle on June 5, 2009 on the subject of educating the public about dentistry’s role in the management of snoring and sleep apnea. Dr. Barsh advised the attendees that the profession has an obligation to screen dental patients for snoring and sleep apnea and work with physicians in management of treatment. He said that while practice web sites are an ideal way to educate the public about the medical problems associated with sleep breathing disorders and dentistry’s role in their treatment, more effort is needed to reach those who may be unaware that they have a sleep breathing disorder.

“Social media sites like Facebook and Twitter are ideal ways to start a conversation with the public who may not know that their health can be affected by problems with breathing during sleep,” said Dr. Barsh in a recent interview. “Our role as doctors,” continued Barsh, “is primarily one of education. People who are unaware that they may have a sleep-breathing problem are online and we have to go where they are if we are to succeed in any form of awareness campaign! “

It has been estimated that in the United States alone 20 million men, women and children suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. Millions more snore. Of these 20 million, only about 10% have been diagnosed despite the fact that the average life span of an untreated sleep apneic is years less than those without sleep apnea. Snoring and sleep apnea have been related to heart disease, heart attacks, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, obesity, depression and erectile dysfunction as well as vehicular accidental injury and death. The increased medical costs of those with untreated sleep apnea are estimated to be in the billions a year.

About Snoring Isn’t Sexy, LLC

Snoring Isn’t Sexy, LLC was founded in 2008 by Laurence I. Barsh, DMD, a dentist who has been involved with sleep medicine since 1992 and who now devotes full time to educating the public about dentistry’s role and responsibility in the recognition and management of snoring and sleep apnea. Dr. Barsh and the dentists associated with Snoring Isn’t Sexy, LLC feel strongly that management of sleep-breathing disorders is a shared responsibility of both the medical and dental professions.

Snoring Isn’t Sexy, LLC consists of independently owned and operated affiliated offices. Visit http://www.SnoringIsntSexy.com for a directory of all participating dentists.

Contact:

Laurence I. Barsh, DMD

888.203.0488

http://www.snoringisntsexy.com

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