On October 31, 2017 the American Dental Association created a mandate on sleep-related breathing disorder as follows:
“The policy emphasizes the dentists’ role in screening sleep-related breathing disorders as significant since dentists are often the first to identify symptoms and discuss medical and dental history with the patient. The policy recognizes the importance of referral of at-risk patients to a physician for diagnosis and treatment… In children, screening through history and clinical examination may identify signs and symptoms of deficient growth and development or other risk factors that may lead to airway issues. If risk is determined, intervention through medical or dental referral or treatment may be appropriate to help treat the disorder and/or develop an optimal physiologic airway and breathing pattern.