Oral Appliance Therapy Should be Reimbursed as a First-Line Therapy for OSA

It is the position of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) that oral appliance therapy (OAT) should be reimbursed as a first-line therapy for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OAT has been deemed an alternate therapy for OSA,, and numerous studies have indicated that OAT is an effective treatment for sleep-related breathing disorders. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) has also acknowledged that OAT should be considered if a patient does not wish to use Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy. In their joint clinical practice guideline, the AADSM and the AASM stated that “[p]atient preference for OAs versus CPAP should be considered by the treating sleep physician before therapy is prescribed.” Patient treatment preference and choice can be critical in ensuring that patients experience positive health outcomes. This paper explores evidence regarding patient preference for OAT and how preference may lead to greater adherence and health improvement.