Summary of: Are general dental practitioners effective in the management of non–apnoeic snoring using mandibular advancement appliances?

Abstract

Objective This study assessed the effectiveness of general dental practitioners (GDPs) in the management of subjects with non-apnoeic snoring using a mandibular advancement appliance (MAA), following a one day training course. Subjects and methods Sixty subjects suffering from simple, non-apnoeic snoring were treated by 15 GDPs, in three hospital centres, using a monobloc mandibular advancement appliance design. All GDPs attended a one day training course prior to the study which covered theoretical and practical training in the use of mandibular advancement appliances. Snoring and level of disturbance were assessed using a questionnaire completed by their sleeping partner before and after a three month treatment period. Daytime sleepiness was assessed by the patients using the Epworth sleepiness scale questionnaire (ESS) before and after a three month treatment period. In addition, patients completed an outcome questionnaire, to assess side-effects experienced from the MAA. Results A success rate of 48% (95% CI 0.35, 0.61) was achieved in partner-assessed snoring and disturbance levels, following a three month period of MAA treatment. The median ESS score reduced from 9 to 7.5 (95% CI 0, 3). General dental practitioners experienced problems during protrusive bite registrations, with 10% being judged inadequate. Conclusion GDPs were not effective in the management of non-apnoeic snoring using a monobloc appliance after a one day training course. Further training and/or selection of a different design of appliance should be considered for GDPs to become highly competent in this area.