NY-9DDS-Web: "From Structure to Function: Incorporating Airway & Myofunctional Therapy Across Dental Specialties"

NY-9DDS-Web: "From Structure to Function: Incorporating Airway & Myofunctional Therapy Across Dental Specialties"

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Instructors:  Nicole Tobon, R.D.H., B.S., C.O.M. & Hetal Sutaria, R.D.H., B.S., C.O.M.

Synopsis:  This course examines the relationship between orofacial structure, function and airway health and how these factors influence outcomes across dental specialties.  Dental providers are uniquely positioned to identify functional dysfunctions that may contribute to conditions such as malocclusion, orthodontic relapse, dental caries, periodontal disease, temporomandibular disorders (TMD), sleep-disordered breathing, and overall treatment instability.  

Participants will gain an introduction to orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) and its role in interdisciplinary care, with a focus on how oral rest posture, breathing patterns, and swallowing function impact craniofacial development and oral health.  Attendees will learn to recognize signs of myofunctional disorders, implement simple screening strategies, and determine appropriate referral pathways to support improved, function-focused patient outcomes.