Dr. Stuart Rich is an experienced dentist who has received extensive training treating patients with obstructive sleep apnea. A general dentist for over 30 years, he developed an interest in the dentist’s role in treating sleep apnea and began his training in 2014. Since then, he has received hundreds of hours of continuing education and met the requirements to become a Diplomate by the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine as well as the American Board of Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine and the Academy of Clinical Sleep Disorders Disciplines.
Since 1996, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine has recommended that patients with the mild or moderate form of sleep apnea consider an oral appliance as a first line therapy. Patients that have the severe form of sleep apnea, with an AHI of 30 or higher, should try to use the CPAP first. However, for those patients who are unwilling or unable to wear a CPAP, an oral appliance can provide significant improvement and, in some cases, even bring their AHI down to normal levels.
Dr. Rich has developed a collaborative relationship with a number of area physicians who are sleep specialists, as well as several hospital-based sleep labs. He regularly receives requests from area physicians to assist in treating their patients with sleep apnea issues.
Dr. Rich is a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine and the Academy of Clinical Sleep Disorders Disciplines.
