Dentist expert Miche De Meyer graduated in 1982 with a degree in dentistry from Ghent University and has since continued his training at home and abroad. Mainly in the medically oriented aspects of dentistry such as obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and temporomandibular dysfunctions (TMD), pain and movement disorders.

She worked for 23 years in the Dentistry department at Ghent University Hospital and (before that) also in the MKA services of several general hospitals. Dr. dent. De Meyer combines specific expertise in disorders within orofacial dysfunctions and pain with extensive experience in an interdisciplinary setting.

She is also active as a scientific collaborator at the University of Nijmegen (the Netherlands), UZ Brussel (lung diseases), VUB (dentistry), UGent (textile engineering) and at the University Medical Center/Center for Dentistry and Oral Care of U Groningen (the Netherlands).

Dr. Steven Olmos has been in private practice for over 35 years with the last 30 years devoted to research and treatment of Craniofacial Pain, TMD, and Sleep Disordered Breathing. He obtained his DDS from USC (University of Southern California) School of Dentistry and has continued his education with over 4,500 hours dedicated to research and treatment in the field of mandibular orthopedic dysfunction and sleep disordered breathing. Dr. Olmos is board certified in both craniofacial pain and dental sleep medicine. He is the founder of TMJ & Sleep Therapy Centres International with over 60 Centres spanning 7 countries dedicated exclusively to the treatment of these disorders. Dr. Olmos has been honored for his contributions to dentistry with Fellowship in the Academy of Dentistry International and the 2008 AACP Haden-Stack Award for his contributions to education in the field of TMD and Craniofacial Pain.

These protocols are an assimilation of his knowledge base which is reflected by his certifications in all philosophies of treatment both medical and dental.

Dr. Olmos is Past President of the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain, the largest association of dentists with an interest and focus on temporomandibular disorders, craniofacial pain, and dental sleep medicine.

• International Educator and Founder of TMJ & Sleep Therapy Centres International
• Diplomate, American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine
• Diplomate, American Board of Craniofacial Pain
• Diplomate, American Board of Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine
• FAAOP, FAACP, FICCMO, FADI, FIAO, FACD,FPFA

In the spectrum of sleep-related dysfunctions (ICSD-3_TR,2023), the role of the dental expert should be emphasized more, both in the perspective of screening, diagnostics and in the evidence-based therapy choice. The dentist(s) should be embedded in an interdisciplinary setting of medical professionals involved in the sleep center/platform.

• Consequently, there is a need to determine the 'Identity or Identification of Dental or Orofacial experts' in the field of Sleep Medicine. This is currently a top priority of the European and American Academy for Dental Sleep Medicine. The knowledge package was clearly defined by an international task force and published by Huang et al in 2023.
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) is one of the most prominent sleep disorders and, if left untreated, leads to comorbidities such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, relationship problems and many accidents on the road and in the private sphere.
• The dental treatment of the OSAS patients is mainly indicated in the disease severity of mild to moderate apnea expressed by the AH-index (AH index 0 – 15) (according to the 'Evidence Based Medicine' report of the prestigious Cochrane group) and when the CPAP therapy is not well accepted by the patient (AH-index ≥ 15).
• In addition, sleep-related bruxism is a movement disorder that can manifest itself both primary (genetically and idiopathically) and/ or secondary as a co-morbidity of possible sleep apnea events.

In the lecture of the 'Dental World Conference 2025' in Budapest, the following items will be highlighted.

• The necessary knowledge about sleep medicine with a focus on the dentist as a stakeholder within the spectrum of a multidisciplinary team of a sleep center
• Various non-dental and dental therapeutic interventions will be explained and applied in practice (A detailed description of the role of the dentist and the dental aspects in therapy of OSAS & Bruxism.)

This lecture will mainly focus on the clinical and practical aspects of these dental & orofacial related sleep dysfunctions.

Objectives:

• How to separate treatment by Rehabilitation vs palliative care
• How functional breathing problems produce mechanical orthopedic conditions
• When functional nasal breathing problems will affect treatment outcome
• How to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that is inclusive of orthopedic dysfunction of the TMJ and sleep

For those of us who treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or those who have tried but run into problems that make you want to throw up your hands, think about the four points of breathing obstruction. Each patient has a different set of obstructions, so decisions on how to choose between the hundreds of appliances to treat breathing disorders are based upon multiple points. A structural assessment of the these points of airway is necessary prior to starting treatment.

Objectives:

• How to identify signs and symptoms of Sleep Disordered Breathing and OSA in your patients
• How and Why there are no age boundaries of conditions
• Why the need for a comprehensive evaluation of symptoms is necessary for successful treatment
• Identifying the 4 points or airway obstruction using CBCT imaging
• How to be an integral part of the multidisciplinary team in treating patients with Oral Appliances for the treatment of OSA and other Sleep Breathing Disorders
• How to work with Board Certified Sleep Physicians and the treatment options for patients