This month, the ATS joined with AASM and other medical organizations in a letter to state medical and dental boards opposing the expansion of dentists’ scope of practice to include diagnosis and management of obstructive sleep apnea. The letter was in response to a recent position paper issued by the American Association of Dental Sleep Medicine asserting dentists’ scope of practice, including the diagnosis and management of obstructive sleep apnea. ATS and colleague organizations expressed concerns with the expansion of dental practice and notes that while dentists can use questionnaires and examine the oral structure to screen patients for symptoms of OSA, dentists are not trained in conducting comprehensive medical evaluation needed for the diagnosis and manage OSA.
ATS Comments on State Dental Board
Last Reviewed: March 2021
