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    1. Dentistry
    2. Occlusion, TMJ, and Sleep Medicine

    Newly accredited facilities highlight importance of AADSM program

    Aug. 28, 2012
    The American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) recently awarded accreditation to eight dental sleep medicine facilities — a designation that recognizes excellence in the treatment sleep apnea and sleep-disordered breathing.

    Darien, Ill. — Eight more dental sleep medicine facilities can add a powerful credential to their resumes. The following practices recently received facility accreditation from the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM), joining an elite group around the nation recognized for proficiency, professionalism, and procedural excellence regarding the treatment of patients with sleep apnea and sleep-disordered breathing:

    • Blue Mountain Sleep Solutions, Milton-Freewater, Ore.
    • DBA Bay Area Sleep Apnea Oral Appliance Center, Millbrae, Calif.
    • Dental Sleep Options, Leawood, Kan.
    • Erie Dental Sleep Therapy, LLC, Erie, Pa.
    • MyoTech Sleep Solutions, Moline, Ill.
    • Simmons Dental Sleep Medicine, Tarzana, Calif.
    • Snoring & Sleep Apnea Dental Treatment Center, Edina, Minn.
    • Zanesville Dental Sleep Medicine Center, Zanesville, Ohio

    AADSM Dental Sleep Medicine Facility Accreditation distinguishes a facility as functioning at a high-level of competency and care. In doing so, accreditation assures patients, medical professionals, and reimbursement decision makers of an organization’s dedication to exceptional performance and excellence in every aspect of business — from a patient’s treatment and ongoing care to the staff’s passion for continuing education and attention to detail.

    “The accreditation program was developed to define excellence in dental sleep medicine and to establish standards that can be embraced and championed nationwide,” said B. Gail Demko, DMD, president of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine and dental director for the accredited Sleep Apnea Dentists of New England facility. “Patients and referring physicians appreciate the peace-of-mind that comes from knowing their dental sleep medicine facility has proven, recognized excellence in every aspect of care.”

    In order to become accredited, facilities must meet quality measures outlined in the AADSM’s Standards for Accreditation of Dental Sleep Medicine Facilities. These standards detail expectations for the proficiency of a facility’s dental director and staff; practice of policies and procedures to oversee the acceptance, documentation and billing of patients; and professionalism of consumer care, follow-up, service and safety.

    “Accreditation has many benefits for a facility,” said Dr. Demko. “It recommends a facility to patients and sleep physicians, assures insurance companies of the high standard of care offered, and provides promotional tools to help the facility attract new patients.”

    For the newly accredited Dental Sleep Options of Leawood, Kan., the program represented an opportunity to distinguish the facility and increase local understanding and acceptance of dental sleep medicine.

    “Our team is extremely proud to receive this accreditation, which demonstrates our dedication to high-quality care for our patients in the Kansas City area,” said Nancy Addy, DDS, owner and director of Dental Sleep Options. “The accreditation also serves as a great marketing tool for us as we continue to educate those with obstructive sleep apnea and their physicians about the treatments and relief we can provide.”

    Upon accreditation, facilities receive an Accreditation Certificate, web and print permission rights for the AADSM-accredited facility logo, listing on the AADSM website’s Accreditation page and Patient Resources destination, as well as other promotional tools.

    Participating in the accreditation program also furthers the practice of dental sleep medicine nationwide — fostering high standards of care, positioning dentists as instrumental to any sleep medicine team, and helping facilities build strong medical partnerships.

    “All dentists practicing dental sleep medicine should consider embarking on the AADSM Dental Sleep Medicine Facility Accreditation process,” said Dr. Demko. “It both furthers their own practice, and helps foster an understanding of and appreciation for quality dental sleep medicine care nationwide.”

    Dental sleep medicine facilities interested in applying for accreditation should visit the AADSM website to learn more about the accreditation process and review the Standards for Accreditation of Dental Sleep Medicine Facilities.

    About The American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine
    The American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) is the only non-profit national professional society dedicated exclusively to the practice of dental sleep medicine. The AADSM provides educational resources for dentists and promotes the use of oral appliance therapy for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and sleep-disordered breathing. Established in 1991, the AADSM has more than 2,800 member dentists worldwide. Visit the AADSM website or call the national office at (630) 737-9705 for more information.