Sleep Apnea Patient Value Averages $2,400

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Recent Comments

June 23rd, 2009 | Julie Frey | posted in Dental Surveys | tags: fees, sleep apnea | 2 Comments »

Just under half of dentists responding to this survey say they treat sleep apnea.

Those who offer sleep apnea treatment say the average sleep apnea patient is worth about $2,400 in the first 9 months.

Specialists in this survey were far more likely than general dentists to treat snoring and sleep apnea. dentists and sleep apnea treatment

Dentists were split right down the middle when it comes to screening dental patients for sleep problems. Half said they do, and half said they don’t.

"I wish everyone screened for this, and every course I teach emphasizes this," said one doc.

Here are some other comments:

"I see a couple of hundred sleep patients yearly. Patient value averages $3000-3500 on sleep, but they also lead to many TMJ cases as well as full-mouth reconstructions." (Illinois dentist)
"I include specific screening questions in my health history." (North Carolina dentist)
"If you are treating sleep apnea you need to be well-versed and have networks with local physicians established." (Illinois dentist)
"Sleep studies need to be done on moderate and severe cases." (Tennessee dentist)
"Very hard to get insurance coverage. Very successful treatment." (California orthodontist)

2 Responses to “Sleep Apnea Patient Value Averages $2,400”

The Visible Dentist Says:
July 8th, 2009 at 3:00 am

There is potential gain for dentists to offer sleep appliances for OSA and snoring problems; however there are a couple of drawbacks.

For sleep apnea relief, the patient must be referred by their physician after a sleep study is conducted and after they fail to adjust to primary treatment, CPAP.

John Barremore
Houston, TX
Dr. Bruce W. Roman Says:
July 17th, 2009 at 5:46 am

If you are only seeing CPAP-intolerant patients then I’d recommend educating the physicians in your area.

AASM (the sleep physicians organization) guidelines indicate that oral appliances should be considered for mild- to moderate OSA if the patient prefers an OA to CPAP (which a 1996 study by Clark shows they do 20-1).

This has changed markedly in the last two years or so.

Best way to educate is to put together a PowerPoint presentation and do Lunch & Learns for local MD’s & DO’s.