Naomi Hirsch

Provided by Smart Training HazCom Updates Are Now in the Compliance Phase OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200, received important updates in 2024. As of May 2026, employers are now in the active compliance phase for these changes. These revisions better align chemical labels and Safety Data Sheets, or SDSs, with the Globally Harmonized System. The HazCom updates make hazard information clearer, more consistent, and easier for staff to understand. In sleep clinics, this applies to chemicals used daily, including surface disinfectants, sterilants, equipment cleaners, and similar products. Why This Matters for Your Team Staff rely on labels and …

As Vivos Integrated Providers continue to advance in sleep and airway medicine, there is often a natural progression from focusing on symptoms to focusing on structure. Early in the learning process, much of the attention is placed on identifying sleep-related breathing disorders, understanding patient complaints, and implementing appropriate treatment pathways. Over time, however, a deeper realization begins to take shape: long-term stability in airway health is not simply about managing symptoms—it is about creating an environment in which proper function can exist.  One of the most critical, and frequently underestimated, components of that environment is tongue space.  In an ideal anatomical and functional state, the tongue rests …

One of the more challenging moments in airway-focused care occurs when clinical intuition and diagnostic data don’t seem to align. A patient presents with clear signs and symptoms consistent with sleep-related breathing disorders—fatigue, snoring, fragmented sleep, morning headaches—yet their home sleep test returns with minimal findings. For many providers, especially those earlier in their airway journey, this can create hesitation. The question becomes: do we trust the data, or do we trust what we’re seeing clinically? For Vivos Integrated Providers, this scenario is not uncommon, and it highlights an important principle: sleep testing is a critical tool, but it is …

Beginning March 16, there will be a pricing adjustment for our Versa Nylon appliances. Since introducing the Versa Nylon line, we have worked hard to maintain stable pricing for our providers for as long as possible. This update reflects current market conditions while continuing to provide strong value for our Vivos providers and practices.   New Pricing Effective March 16 Starting March 16, both Versa Nylon appliance models will be priced at $439 per appliance: Versa 9 Nylon: $439 Versa EMA Nylon: $439   Order Timing and Current Pricing All orders placed prior to March 16 will continue to receive …

The Power of a One-Minute Airway Observation One of the most powerful tools in airway-focused dentistry is also one of the simplest: a consistent screening process. Many patients who suffer from sleep-disordered breathing, upper airway resistance, or functional breathing issues pass through dental offices every day without anyone recognizing the early signs. This isn’t because the signs are rare or subtle—it’s because clinicians often lack a structured way to look for them during routine exams. For Vivos Integrated Providers, airway screening does not need to be complex or time-consuming. In fact, many experienced providers rely on a quick, systematic evaluation …

A Vivos Integrated Provider Series presented by The Vivos Institute  Frenectomies are more than a soft-tissue release—they are a gateway to functional wellness, airway health, and growth optimization. For Vivos Integrated Providers, understanding and performing frenectomies in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team extends your impact far beyond traditional dentistry.  This final article in the Functional Releases in Airway Dentistry series brings everything together—connecting structure, function, therapy, billing, and teamwork into a cohesive roadmap for airway-centered care.   A Foundation for Whole-Health Dentistry  The modern dental practice has evolved into a center for functional medicine and airway health. Through guided growth, oral appliance therapy, and integrative solutions like myofunctional therapy, …

A Vivos Integrated Provider Series presented by The Vivos Institute  As Vivos Integrated Providers, we know clinical excellence must be matched with operational precision. Performing functional releases that support airway and sleep health is only part of the process—accurate billing and documentation ensure patients receive their benefits and your practice is reimbursed properly. Whether a release is billed to dental or medical insurance depends on the indication, anatomy, and documentation.    When to Bill Dental Insurance  Bill dental when the clinical rationale is primarily dental in nature (e.g., site-specific tissue tension affecting hygiene, diastema management, orthodontic stability/relapse prevention, or speech facilitation not linked to congenital malformation).  CDT procedure codes (current since 2021):  D7961 — Buccal or labial frenectomy (frenulectomy)  …

A Vivos Integrated Provider Series presented by The Vivos Institute    Within airway-centered dentistry, success comes from restoring both structure and function. Frenectomies address restriction; myofunctional therapy (Myo) restores coordination and strength. Together, they create the foundation for airway balance and long-term health.    Why Frenectomies and Myo Must Work Together  A frenectomy frees movement, but without retraining, the muscles continue compensating. Re-attachment, mouth breathing, or persistent dysfunction can occur if the patient’s tongue and orofacial muscles are not retrained through Myo.   The Ideal Sequence  Pre-Frenectomy Myo: builds awareness and prepares tissues.  Frenectomy: performed using a scalpel or DEKA Laser for precision and comfort.  Post-Frenectomy Myo: prevents re-attachment, stabilizes function, and reinforces nasal …

A Vivos Integrated Provider Series presented by The Vivos Institute For Vivos Integrated Providers, airway health depends on balanced structure and function. Among the many contributors to compromised sleep and breathing, tethered oral tissues (TOTs)—tight lingual, labial, or buccal frenums—remain an underrecognized source of airway dysfunction. How Oral Tethers Influence Airway Function A restricted tongue sits low in the mouth, collapsing backward during sleep and reducing airway space. This triggers mouth breathing, inflamed tissues, and constricted palatal growth—perpetuating airway resistance and oxygen desaturation. In Children and Adults Children: Narrow palates, restless sleep, and hyperactivity symptoms. Adults: Snoring, bruxism, morning fatigue, …

A Vivos Integrated Provider Series presented by The Vivos Institute  As a Vivos Integrated Provider, you already understand that oral structures influence breathing, sleep, and systemic health. Yet one of the most overlooked anatomical limitations in airway-centered dentistry remains the humble frenum.  A frenectomy may seem like a minor procedure—but functionally, it can transform oral posture, tongue mobility, and airway stability across all ages.    The Functional Release Blog Series  This five-part educational series from The Vivos Institute is designed for Vivos Integrated Providers who want to deepen their understanding of frenectomies within the context of airway, sleep, and functional dentistry.  This series includes:  What Is a Frenectomy and Why It Matters More Than You Think  The …

Over the last few weeks, we’ve walked through a series of practical steps to help you prepare for 2026 with confidence and clarity. Each post focused on a key area that supports your airway-centric goals: Scheduling with Intention — Using blocks of time and repetition to create habits that protect patient experience and provider balance. Team Training — Building competence and confidence through ongoing learning, reinforcement, and recognition. Patient Flow — Following the 3-Visit Flow to create consistency, predictability, and stronger case acceptance. Marketing with Purpose — Aligning education, outreach, and digital presence with your schedule so patients know you …