Unlocking the Future of Pediatric Dentistry: The Critical Role of Airway Health
For decades, dentistry has focused on cavity prevention, orthodontics, and overall oral health. However, a growing body of research highlights an urgent need for dentists to expand their role—especially when it comes to recognizing and addressing airway health issues in children. Dr. Leonard DeLuke recently published an article emphasizing the importance of airway-centered care in pediatric dentistry, urging dental professionals to become proactive in identifying sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and other airway concerns early on.
Why Pediatric Airway Health Matters
Airway health is a cornerstone of overall well-being. Proper breathing and oxygenation are essential for cognitive development, physical growth, and behavioral stability in children. Unfortunately, airway issues are often overlooked or misdiagnosed, with symptoms mistaken for unrelated concerns such as ADHD, chronic fatigue, or behavioral disorders. Dentists, who routinely examine the oral cavity and facial structures, are uniquely positioned to detect the early signs of compromised airway health.
Some common indicators of pediatric airway issues include:
Mouth breathing
Snoring or noisy breathing during sleep
Frequent waking or restless sleep
Daytime drowsiness and difficulty concentrating
Behavioral challenges and hyperactivity
Chronic allergies, nasal congestion, or bedwetting
Underdeveloped jaw and facial structures
Early identification and intervention can dramatically improve a child’s quality of life, preventing more serious complications down the road.
The Role of Dentists in Airway-Centered Care
Dr. DeLuke stresses that dentists must move beyond traditional roles and embrace a more comprehensive approach to patient care. By incorporating airway assessments into routine dental exams, dentists can help bridge the gap between dentistry, myofunctional therapy, orthodontics, and medical professionals specializing in sleep and airway disorders.
Key steps dentists can take to integrate airway-focused care into their practice include:
Learning to recognize the signs of airway dysfunction during dental exams.
Collaborating with interdisciplinary specialists such as myofunctional therapists, ENTs, pediatricians, and sleep medicine professionals.
Educating parents about the impact of airway health on their child’s development.
Offering solutions that may include oral appliances, myofunctional therapy, and lifestyle adjustments to promote nasal breathing and proper craniofacial growth.
Advancing Your Knowledge: The Vivos Institute’s Training Program
For dental professionals eager to deepen their understanding and clinical expertise in airway health, The Vivos Institute offers a premier training program focused on pediatric craniofacial development and sleep-disordered breathing. Our comprehensive courses empower dentists and their teams with the knowledge and hands-on experience needed to implement airway-centered care effectively.
With an emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration, practical application, and patient-centered outcomes, this training program is designed to equip dental professionals with the tools they need to make a lasting impact on pediatric patients.
If you’re looking to build on your knowledge and further integrate airway-centered care into your practice, explore our advanced training opportunities from your Learner Dashboard.
To read Dr. Leonard DeLuke’s original article on this critical topic, click here.
