Historically, dentistry has a longstanding tradition of dental societies, professional networks, and airway health groups dedicated to educating and supporting their members to provide the highest level of service to their patients. Strong and growing membership lists were common with annual or semi-annual meetings having great speakers. Some dental associations and orthodontic membership groups had well organized courses where doctors could be certified in certain treatment modalities. Members incurred substantial travel expenses to attend courses and perceived the value of such in person meetings to them and their patients. Rising student debt and corporate dentistry where individual dentists no longer were controlling their own C.E. dollars chipped away at the vitality of these orthodontic organizations and orthodontic groups. Covid shutdowns dramatically affected a number of these groups and membership in many of them is dramatically reduced.
The internet has dramatically increased the knowledge base that patients have regarding their own health. Many mothers particularly are very well educated regarding what they want for their own health and that of their children. With the decline in membership of several key organizations the number of qualified providers, particularly in the field of airway orthodontics, is minuscule in relation to the demand these mothers (Mama Bears) have created. Patients of ALL ages are seeking care, but many have no access to care nearby that might help them and their children because so few doctors are being trained.This is sad for the patients, doctors, and the organizations.
Dental curricula are almost universally not including recognition of airway problems, much less comprehensive training for doctors to provide treatment to optimize airway or treat those already afflicted with sleep/breathing problems. They are busy just satisfying requirements in the traditional restorative dentistry training that has characterized traditional dentistry. Private organizations are pretty much currently the only way doctors can get training in airway orthodontics.
Notable organizations in dentistry which have sponsored programs and speakers on airway health topics include the American Academy of Physiological Medicine and Dentistry (AAPMD),the American Academy of Oral and Systemic Health (AAOSH), the American Academy of Gnathologic Orthopedics (AAGO), the International Association of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT), and the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain (AACP). All these organizations have featured programs and speakers on airway related topics with excellent in person and online lectures available for interested doctors seeking knowledge and training.
