American Sleep and Breathing Academy Candidates must submit proof of 50 hours of continuing education in Dental Sleep Medicine within the last 2 years. Any Diplomate review course, annual meeting, or ASBA training course can count towards the 50 hours. 

Candidates must also do the following:

• Attend the Diplomate Review

• Pass 100 question Diplomate written Exam.

• Pass Scenario-Based Oral Exam.

The American Board of Sleep and Breathing (ABSB) is an independent board, providing a Diplomate designation to licensed dentists who treat sleep related breathing disorders. The ABSB Diplomate designation recognizes those dentists duly licensed by law in their state, who have met the requirements of the ASBA.

Rodolfo M. Ferrate M.D.
On behalf of ASBA Credentialing Board and
American Sleep and Breathing Academy

• Sleep Apnea and Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) - Candidate needs to really understand conditions like snoring, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), central sleep apnea, and upper airway resistance syndrome.
• Oral Appliance Design and Function - Different types, mechanisms of action, and design features of oral appliances used. We like Candidates to also have some understanding about the different complications that can present themselves due to the use of oral appliances; although questions about compliancestion do not feature in the written exam.
• CPAP Therapy - Understanding CPAP, its benefits, and limitations, especially in comparison with oral appliance therapy. We know CPAP works when used correctly. The Academy’s mission is not to undermine any treatments, but to exhort the benefit of each treatment modality individually and when combined.
• Testing - Polysomnography “PSG” and Home Sleep Testing “HST” (Sleep Studies) - Basics of sleep studies. PSG will not be covered on the exam. HST will be included.
• Pharmacology - Medications that impact sleep health.
• Pediatric Sleep - Too many fringe descriptions are being used to discuss children and sleep. The Academy sticks to the traditional definition as used for diagnosing and treating sleep disorders in children and adolescents
  • Patient Compliance and Follow-Up - Strategies to ensure patient adherence to treatment and regular monitoring. Although important, it will not feature in the Diplomate examination.
• Clinical Evaluation/Patient intake/etc: History taking (snoring, witnessed apneas, daytime sleepiness, etc.). Use of screening questionnaires The Academy currently recommends either the STOP-BANG or Epworth Sleepiness Scale questionnaires.
• Physiology - Understanding the basic mechanics of sleep, its stages, and cycles.
• Pathologies and the various comorbidities related to sleep disorders- Recognizing and diagnosing various sleep disorders apart from sleep apnea and breathing, such as insomnia, restless leg syndrome. We also like Candidates to have some knowledge about hypersomnia, parasomnias, as it’s a big part of the sleep physicians tool box. You really only need a bit of theory in these subjects.
• Physiology - Understanding the basic mechanics of sleep, its stages, and cycles
  Most important areas to cover are
  • Cardiovascular implications of OSA (hypertension, heart failure, arrhythmias, etc.).
  • Neurological implications (stroke, cognitive decline).
  • Metabolic implications (diabetes, obesity)
  • Psychological implications (depression, anxiety).
• Orofacial Anatomy and Development - Comprehensive understanding of craniofacial growth, anatomy, and how it relates to airway development.
• Occlusion - Understanding the principles of occlusion and their implications in oral appliance therapy.
• Imaging - Understanding airway dimensions and skeletal relationships.
• Surgical Interventions for Sleep Disorders - Overview of surgical options and their indications.
• Nutrition, Exercise, and Sleep (the 3 pillars of health) - Effects of diet, weight, and lifestyle factors on sleep and their implications in patient management. Light but important reading, especially when interacting with patients.
• Positional Therapy - Recognizing positional sleep apnea and strategies for its management. Small section but still included in the Diplomate written exam.

• Books

  Attanasio, Ronald, and Dennis R. Bailey.  Dental Management of Sleep Disorders. Ames, IA: Wiley-Blackwell, 2010. Print.

  https://www.wiley.com/en-us/Dental+Management+of+Sleep+Disorders,+2nd+Edition-p-9781118636688

  Chase, Peter. Sleep Medicine & Oral Appliance Therapy, A Manual for Physicians and Dentists. CreateSpace Pub., 2015. Print.

  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sleep-medicine-and-oral-appliance-therapy-peter-chase/1122026729

• Articles

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  14. ADA house of delegates. The role of dentistry in the treatment of sleep related breathing disorders. 2017. www.ada.org/en/~/media/ADA/member%20center/files/the-role-of-dentistry-in-sleep-related-breathing-disorders.
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