education
Sleep Studies in Clinical Practice – When, Why and How.
Welcome to the third episode in our Waking Up to Sleep Webinar Series! This session, provides a practical overview of sleep studies, including when to order them, how to interpret key metrics, and when to refer to a Sleep Physician for further assessment. We will also review real-world examples and outline clear referral pathways to ensure safe, evidence-based patient management.
You’ll learn:
– How to clearly explain what a sleep study is, what it measures, and why objective testing is essential before diagnosing or managing snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).
– How to differentiate between types of sleep studies, including in-lab polysomnography (PSG) and home sleep apnoea testing (HSAT), and when each is appropriate.
– How to identify which patients require a sleep study based on symptoms, risk factors, and medical comorbidities.
– How to recognise red flags that warrant referral to a Sleep Physician for in-lab PSG rather than home testing.
– How to interpret key sleep study metrics and understand what they mean clinically.
– How to review and discuss sample sleep study reports (including WatchPAT examples) with confidence.
– How to organise a sleep study through different referral pathways.
Building on the foundations introduced in earlier sessions, this session is aimed at helping you proactively identify a clear pathway from screening to diagnosis.
CPD Points:
– 1 CPD Point.
Let’s make room for better sleep in everyday dentistry – one patient at a time.
Our Presenters
Dr Ken Lee
Dentist – Fellow of Dental Sleep Medicine (ASA)
Dr Lee is a clinician in dental sleep medicine with a Master of Dentistry and Fellowship examination in Dental Sleep Medicine in Australia. As Clinical Director at SleepWise Clinic, he focuses exclusively on airway health and works closely with Sleep Physicians and ENTs to deliver evidence-based treatment for snoring and sleep apnoea.
Dr Sunny Sun
Respiratory and Sleep Physician at Lung and Sleep Victoria.
Dr Sun completed her medical degree with Honours, along with a Bachelor of Medical Science, at Monash University. She undertook specialist training at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and Alfred Health, and currently holds an ongoing clinical role at Alfred Hospital.
Dr Sun manages the full spectrum of respiratory and sleep conditions. Her particular interests include:
- Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Sleep-disordered breathing and excessive daytime sleepiness
- The impact of obesity and weight change on respiratory and sleep health
In addition to her clinical work, Dr Sun is committed to delivering thoughtful, patient-centred care and has been involved in several quality improvement projects aimed at enhancing patient outcomes. She is a member of the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ), the European Respiratory Society (ERS), and the Australasian Sleep Association (ASA).
