P-41647404-243 - Undiagnosed nasal obstruction and our role in screening for sleep disordered breathing.

Abstract

<h3>Background</h3> Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) exists as a spectrum and can be a continuum from a non-hypoxic to the hypoxic form (OSA). In the susceptible individual that makes up the group in which it exists as a continuum, it has been postulated that it may be a part of an undiagnosed breathing disorder that existed from the active craniofacial growth phase. This brings forward the important role of an unobstructed nasal breathing and the balance interplay between nasal resistance, proper tongue seal and the absence of chronic mouth breathing. <h3>Objective</h3> To identify the prevalence of undiagnosed nasal obstruction among young healthy dental outpatient attendees to explore the role of oral health practitioners in sleep disordered breathing screening. <h3>Material and Methods</h3> Dental outpatient attendees were sequentially selected for 6 months. The first phase encompassed subjective patient assessment using the SNOT 22 questionnaire and clinical dental examination. The second phase involved nasal endoscopy to objectively confirm nasal obstruction by an otorhinolaryngologist. <h3>Results</h3> 156 subjects were involved with a prevalence of 90.4% was found for undiagnosed nasal obstruction. Deviation from normal dental morphometry and a significant association with an allergy history, tongue scalloping and snoring was more commonly noted clinical finding in susceptible individuals. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Our study shows that dentists can be important screeners to enhance early intervention to treat nasal obstruction and prevent ill effects of prolonged sleep disordered breathing. SNOT-22 is a reliable and simple questionnaire that can be used for screening in a dental setting.