Dentist Instructions
Step one: Discuss the sleep study results with your patient
When you receive the sleep study you can discuss the results and recommendations with your patient.
Diagnosis:
The sleep study will indicate the presence and severity of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). This can be mild, moderate or severe and will be a key factor in determining the appropriate treatment for your patient. Some important indices are the apnoea hypopnoea index (AHI), which determines the number of respiratory events per hour, and the oxygen desaturation index (ODI). The sleep study will also indicate the presence of snoring and body position during the night.
Treatment recommendations:
Treatment recommendations by a sleep physician will be included in every study. This may include, but is not limited to, oral appliance therapy, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy and/or positional therapy. It is important to adhere to the recommendations provided. If you are unsure of the treatment recommendations and would like to discuss this with the reporting physician, feel free to contact us.
OSA is a serious medical condition which can significantly affect cardiovascular disease and motor vehicle accident risk. If an appliance has been made and fitted it will require proper titration and review. As such, in cases where there is significant OSA, a follow up sleep study to assess the efficacy of treatment and/or a referral to a sleep physician will be indicated in treatment recommendations of the sleep study.
Step two: Mandibular advancement splint efficacy study
(If required)
If indicated in the treatment recommendations of the diagnostic sleep study, a second sleep study may be required to assess the efficacy of the mandibular advancement splint objectively. Please note that your patient needs to use their appliance during the efficacy study.
To request an efficacy study, please log on (or register) at the 3D Sleep diagnostics portal (diagnostics.3dsleep.com.au) and submit a new study. Choose efficacy (MAS) Study at step 2 (Patient Info) of the referral process.
Step three: Refer to a sleep physician telehealth consultation
(If required)
If indicated a referral to a sleep physician may be recommended in the treatment recommendations of the diagnostic sleep study report. If this is required it is important that you forward a copy of the sleep study and write a letter of introduction to the physician.
Please note that this does not act as a medicare referral and the patient will still require a GP referral.
Please note this is a bulk-billed service and with no out of pocket costs for the patient. It is only available with Dr Marcus McMahon, and as a telehealth consultation.
For referrals to Dr Marcus McMahon for a telehealth consultation, please go to 3dsleep.com.au/physician-referral/ for a templated letter of introduction. This form will automatically be sent to (Dr Marcus McMahon, Melbourne Sleep Solutions). You may also upload a copy of the sleep study via this online form.
The patient instruction sheet contains information on the sleep physician referral process. If the patient prefers to see another sleep physician, they will need to obtain a referral from their own GP using the traditional pathway and fees may apply.