I was quietly practicing airway orthodontics at a time when there were only a handful of us in the world. I had recognized a severe health problem and wanted to do what I could to help young kids. I knew what I was doing was pretty much the opposite of the standard of care, but I was convinced I needed to act — and I committed myself to that task. I worked hard to stay under the radar as I practiced, learned, succeeded, and innovated. I now proudly state that dentistry is the center of health care, even though the profession has yet to fully realize this. I’m working to change that.
In 2017, the ADA mandated that dentists screen patients for airway issues. Nine years later, a few more providers are doing so — but the number is still a small fraction of the profession, even as it continues to grow. There has been a massive proliferation of courses on airway since it rose to its current level of attention. Some are probably good, but many are “airway friendly” in name only. What really matters, though, is that there is a definite movement in the right direction.
Dentistry has a similar history with the introduction of veneers and implants. First there were a few practitioners rocking the boat. They were scorned by many who wanted no change and predicted disaster. Then acceptance came, and these things became mainstream. Airway is following the same arc.
There is a pushback against the airway movement from a number of people in the profession — which, to me, signals that we are at or near the tipping point of it becoming mainstream. I won’t go into details, but I have a smile on my face as I glance in the rear view mirror and am proud of my role in what has occurred.
I smile even more when I see participants in my E.C.H.O. Mentorship accurately diagnosing patients with serious issues and formulating treatment plans that have a real chance of helping kids be healthier and live longer, better lives. I do caution them to never promise outcomes. They post their cases in progress and love to list the positive changes their patients — often their own children — have experienced.
James Nestor’s book Breath hit #6 on the New York Times bestsellers list in 2020 and is now published in 37 languages. Mothers who have read this landmark book are actively seeking treatment for their children so they can have better outcomes. The most committed are those who have had traditional retractive orthodontics themselves and are not happy with their own results. Seeing articles on airway in popular magazines and dental trade publications written by people I don’t even know makes me happy. We are getting near the tipping point. Kids may have a real chance to be healthier in the future.
That is for you to decide. You can be part of helping dentistry become the center of health care, or you can do what you have always done. I have a friend who never made a change in his practice when I was avidly exploring this area. Like so many dentists, he burned out and retired when he had made enough money. For too many, dentistry is just another way to make a living.
For me, dentistry has always been a passion. I was given the gift to practice dentistry and couldn’t be happier with my choice. Did you buy stock in Apple when it went public? Do you now wish you had? Will you invest in yourself now to help kids — especially your own — be healthier and have better lives?
The tipping point is here.
