In this episode, Dr. Michael Bennett and Cathy Bennett introduce a new series on the interconnectedness of airway health and overall wellness, particularly focusing on the importance of dental screenings for sleep-related breathing disorders. The discussion highlights the significance of dental health as a gateway to detecting sleep apnea, which often goes undiagnosed and can lead to severe health consequences like Alzheimer's, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and more. They stress the role of dentists in early detection and the benefits of treating sleep apnea for improved healthcare outcomes. The episode underscores the barriers dentists face in incorporating sleep screening into their practice and the need for a team-oriented approach to overcome these challenges. Finally, they advocate for rebranding dental hygiene exams as comprehensive wellness screenings to better serve patient health.

00:00 Introduction to Airway and Wellness Series

00:44 The Importance of Dental Visits for Health Screening

01:30 Identifying Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders

03:35 The Silent Epidemic of Undiagnosed Sleep Apnea

06:10 Economic and Health Impacts of Sleep Disorders

06:58 Barriers to Dental Screening for Sleep Disorders

09:57 The Role of Dentists in Sleep Disorder Screening

12:47 Holistic Wellness and the Importance of Sleep

15:56 Conclusion: Implementing Sleep Screenings in Dental Practice

Michael Bennett, DDS, PhD

Board-Certified Dentist | Healthcare Professions Educator

Empowering total health through airway-focused dentistry

Advanced Dental Care – Dr. Bennett’s clinical practice and patient-centered services

Connect on LinkedIn – Join the movement for airway-first, total health dentistry

A Neurologist’s View on Sleep with Dr. Stasha Gominak

In this engaging podcast episode, Dr. Michael Bennett invites Dr. Stasha Gominak to discuss their shared passion for leveraging the body’s healing properties of sleep. Dr. Gominak shares her journey from being a neurologist to becoming a sleep coach, highlighting the unique relationships she discovered between sleep and overall health. She delves into how deficiencies in vitamin D and B, as well as the microbiome, affect sleep quality and suggests practical interventions. Dr. Gominak also discusses how sleep dentistry practitioners can integrate these concepts into their practices to improve patient outcomes. The episode concludes with Dr. Bennett and Dr. Gominak reflecting on the importance of patient-centered care and pushing through professional challenges to innovate in their respective fields.

01:11 Dr. Stasha Mak's Background

01:54 Transition from Neurology to Sleep Coaching

02:25 Insights from Sleep Dentists

04:56 The Importance of Human Connection in Medicine

06:06 Energy Coaches and Spiritual Connection

07:05 New Ideas in Medicine and Intention Setting

09:10 Challenges and Rewards of Sleep Coaching

11:24 Patient Stories and Discoveries in Sleep Medicine

12:26 Exploring Sleep Disorders and Treatments

16:18 The Role of Brain Chemistry in Sleep

25:52 Vitamin Deficiencies and Sleep

28:05 The Importance of Vitamin D

31:35 The Importance of Vitamin D in Hormonal Balance

32:31 The Pioneering Work of Walter Stump

37:05 The Impact of Vitamin D on Sleep and Immunity

39:08 Challenges in Vitamin D Research and Application

49:25 The Role of Microbiome and B Vitamins

56:34 Integrating Vitamin D and Microbiome Knowledge in Practice

01:06:14 Future Directions and Final Thoughts

If you found this episode valuable, share it with a colleague or friend who wants to breathe better, sleep deeper, and live healthier. Your support helps us expand the conversation around airway-focused care and whole-body wellness.

Together, we can move dentistry beyond the chair.

Michael Bennett, DDS, PhD

Board-Certified Dentist | Healthcare Professions Educator

Empowering total health through airway-focused dentistry

Advanced Dental Care – Dr. Bennett’s clinical practice and patient-centered services

Connect on LinkedIn – Join the movement for airway-first, total health dentistry

Answers from an E.N.T. Perspective with Dr. Kirt Beus

In this podcast episode, Dr. Michael Bennett welcomes his colleague and friend, Dr. Kirk Beus, to discuss their collaborative work in treating patients' airway and oral health issues. Dr. Beus shares his journey into becoming an ENT and his focus on less invasive treatments for nasal and thyroid issues. The discussion emphasizes the importance of nasal breathing for proper facial development in children and how issues such as crowded teeth and TMJ disorders can be linked to airway problems. They also touch on the role of nutrition in nasal congestion and the benefits of a holistic approach in combined dental and ENT practices. The episode concludes with practical advice for professionals and the public on maintaining better nasal and ear health.

01:00 Dr. Beus's Journey to ENT

01:45 Advancements in ENT Treatments

02:25 The Connection Between Dental Crowding and Airway Issues

07:07 The Role of Nutrition in Facial Development

12:12 TMJ Disorders and Ear Symptoms

15:13 Ear Health Tips and COVID-19 Considerations

17:28 Conclusion and Key Takeaways

If you found this episode valuable, share it with a colleague or friend who wants to breathe better, sleep deeper, and live healthier. Your support helps us expand the conversation around airway-focused care and whole-body wellness.

Together, we can move dentistry beyond the chair.

Michael Bennett, DDS, PhD

Board-Certified Dentist | Healthcare Professions Educator

Empowering total health through airway-focused dentistry

Advanced Dental Care – Dr. Bennett’s clinical practice and patient-centered services

Connect on LinkedIn – Join the movement for airway-first, total health dentistry