Sleep Matters Podcast copertina

Sleep Matters Podcast

Sleep Matters Podcast

Di: Dr. Erin Elliott and Jason Tierney
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A proposito di questo titolo

 Sleep Matters is a mocktail of snarky honesty and straight talk in dental sleep medicine you’ve been looking for. We jump on the grenades most professionals avoid, from medical and dental turf wars and insurance headaches to calling out the latest industry “snake oil.” Sit down with movers, shakers, and iconoclasts as we dive into the clinical and political issues that keep dentists up at night. You’ll learn. You’ll laugh. And you’ll actually look forward to the next episode. SLEEP MATTERS©Sleep Matters Podcast Disturbo fisico e malattia Economia Igiene e vita sana
Episodi
  • Applesauce Pouches, Cognitive Deficits, and Pediatric Airways with Dr. Stacy Becker

    Applesauce Pouches, Cognitive Deficits, and Pediatric Airways with Dr. Stacy Becker
    Feb 25 2026
    What if that "cute" childhood snore is actually the sound of your child gasping for air, struggling to stay alive?In this high-energy, eye-opening episode, Dr. Stacy Becker—one-third of the powerhouse team behind ASAP Pathway—joins us to dismantle the myth that kids "just grow out of it." After witnessing her own father struggle with CPAP intolerance and watching her own children show the classic "red flags" despite doing everything "by the book," Stacy realized that dentistry isn't just about teeth—it’s about the very air we breathe. This isn't a lecture on complex orthodontics; it’s a playbook for becoming the "triage hero" your smallest patients desperately need.Jason Tierney and Dr. Erin Elliott sit down with Stacy to move the conversation from "niche mystery" to "everyday essential." They explore why a generation raised on applesauce pouches is facing a "melting face" epidemic and how you can start saving lives before a child even hits the first grade.The Meat of the EpisodeThe Death of the Crunch: We dive into the "Industrial Revolution" of the jaw. Learn how soft diets and "pouch culture" are causing muscles to atrophy and faces to literally melt, leaving no room for adult teeth (or oxygen).The 95% Rule: Why Dr. Steven Sheldon says nearly all ADHD is actually sleep deprivation in disguise. We discuss the heartbreaking reality of "broken brains" and why waiting until age 13 to fix an airway is often seven years too late."We Now Know": The magic script for talking to long-term parents. Stacy shares how to pivot from "just checking for cavities" to "checking for life-altering airway issues" without the guilt trip of what you might have missed in the past.Kissing Frogs & Finding Princes: Referral reality checks. Not all ENTs or Orthodontists are created equal. Stacy explains how to hunt for the "airway-aware" specialists in your town by asking the right questions and trusting your gut.Clinical Clues Hiding in Plain Sight: From chapped lips and "crusty noses" to tartar buildup on a six-year-old. Learn to spot the secret signals of mouth breathing that are sitting right in your hygiene chair.Permission to be a Dentist: Why you don’t need a "mother may I" from a physician to expand a maxilla. We talk about the courage to lead your community and the dental levers that can actually shrink tonsils and adenoids.A Note from Dr. Stacy Becker"A worried mom does better research than the FBI. If you see the craniofacial deficits and a child is struggling, you cannot stick your head in the sand. By age six or seven, the brain is mostly done. You can grow out of large tonsils by thirteen, but you might be growing into a lifetime of cognitive deficits and ADHD. We have to act now."Why This Episode MattersThis conversation is for every "Jill or Joe Dentist" who is doing "just fine" but wants to do better. Stacy reminds us that we are the front-line scouts in a pandemic of poor sleep. You don’t have to become a full-time pediatric surgeon to make a difference; you just have to stop "unseeing" the red flags. By the end of this episode, you won't just be looking at a child's bite—you'll be looking at their entire future, and you'll have the "Thunderstruck" energy to help them protect it.Would you like me to create a "Checklist for the Chair" based on the clinical signs Stacy mentioned to help your hygiene team start screening tomorrow?Resources and References MentionedHere are the links and references for the resources mentioned in the podcast:Community & DirectoriesASAP Pathway (Airway, Sleep, and Pediatric Pathway): * asappathway.comFind a Provider Map: asappathway.com/map/AAPMD (American Academy of Physiological Medicine & Dentistry):Main Site: aapmd.orgFind a Professional Directory: aapmd.org/find-aapmd-professionalClinical Research & ArticlesThe Atlantic Article: * Title referenced: "Are we cranking kids' jaws open for no reason?" (Published January 2026).Context: Discusses the controversy between "airway-focused" orthodontics and traditional evidence-based dentistry.American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Snoring Policy:Clinical Practice Guideline: Diagnosis and Management of Childhood Obstructive Sleep Apnea SyndromeKey Takeaway: The AAP recommends screening for snoring at every well-child visit (the "zero tolerance" approach mentioned by Dr. Becker).Dr. Audrey Yoon (Stanford University):Stanford Profile: profiles.stanford.edu/audrey-yoonResearch Focus: Her work bridges the gap between pediatric dentistry and orthodontics, focusing on how expansion affects pediatric airway volume and sleep outcomes.The CHAT Study (Childhood Adenotonsillectomy Trial):Study Overview: ClinicalTrials.gov - NCT00560859Context: This is the landmark study that evaluated "watchful waiting" vs. surgery for mild-to-moderate pediatric OSA, which Dr. Ron Mitchell helped lead.Expert ViewpointsDr. Stephen Sheldon (Lurie Children’s Hospital):ADHD & Sleep Link: Dr. Sheldon is a pioneer who famously posits that a vast majority of...
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    54 min
  • Basic B**** Cancer, Portal Purgatory, and Waiting Rooms That Fail with Lesia Tierney

    Basic B**** Cancer, Portal Purgatory, and Waiting Rooms That Fail with Lesia Tierney
    Feb 18 2026

    What happens to a patient’s heart when they receive life-altering news alone, staring at a cold computer screen?

    In this deeply moving episode, Lesia Tierney—a 20-year leader in dental sleep medicine—shares the moment her world shifted. After decades of helping convert patients, she found herself on the other side of the consult desk, navigating a breast cancer diagnosis. This isn't just a talk about practice management; it’s a masterclass in human-to-human connection.

    Jason Tierney and Dr. Erin Elliott join Lesia to peel back the layers and look at the raw vulnerability of the patient experience. They explore how a simple hand-hold, a well-timed joke, or a quiet waiting room isn't just "good business"—it’s an act of love that restores a patient's dignity.

    The Heart of the Matter

    • The Loneliness of the Portal: Lesia reflects on the "purgatory" of finding out she had cancer via a portal refresh. We discuss why no patient should ever feel alone in their diagnosis, and how to ensure your office is the guide they desperately need.
    • The 10-Second Intervention: A story of a nurse, an operating table, and a hand-hold. Learn how ten seconds of authentic presence can pull a patient back from the brink of terror and give them the peace to proceed.
    • Humor as a Shield: Why Dr. Liu’s "basic bitch cancer" comment was the most professional thing she could have said. We dive into how laughter lowers the walls of fear and allows a patient to finally exhale.
    • The Waiting Room as a Sanctuary: Your front office is the patient's first "safe space." If it’s loud, messy, or sterile, their nervous system shuts down. Learn how to curate a calm soundscape that whispers, "You are safe here."
    • The Gift of "Personhood": Why the "Bring Your Person" rule is about more than just remembering facts—it’s about honoring the patient’s need for emotional support during a moment of high stakes.

    A Note from Lesia Tierney

    "Our job is to give them hope, give them solutions, and walk them through it. It’s such a blessing and a gift to be able to do that for other people. When you’re on the other side of it, the fact that someone actually cares... that is what stays with you."

    Why This Episode Matters

    This conversation is for every team member who has ever felt like they were just "running a process." Lesia reminds us that beneath every sleep study and oral appliance is a human being looking for a steady voice and a hand to hold. By the end of this episode, you won't just want to improve your conversion rate—you’ll want to improve the way you show up for people.


    • (00:18) - Introduction
    • (02:26) - Lesia’s dental sleep medicine journey and how she got here
    • (07:36) - From being a part-owner of the practice to being a patient herself
    • (13:09) - Why front office should reflect back office
    • (17:27) - Choosing a practitioner who you trust
    • (25:10) - What phone policy has Lesia introduced in her office
    • (30:03) - What other experiences Lesia had that impacted how she runs her office
    • (34:33) - How cancer influenced Lesia’s life
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    41 min
  • The TEDx Stage, Role-Playing, and Physician Relationships with Dr. Suzanne Thai

    The TEDx Stage, Role-Playing, and Physician Relationships with Dr. Suzanne Thai
    Feb 11 2026

    What happens when the life you’ve built no longer fits? Dr. Suzanne Thai, a prominent dental sleep medicine practitioner and TEDx speaker, joins Jason Tierney and Dr. Erin Elliott to discuss her journey from "existential dread" in general dentistry to finding renewed purpose in sleep medicine. This episode dives deep into the power of vulnerability, the necessity of mastering communication, and the specific "soft skills" that separate average practices from elite ones.

    What We Discuss with Dr. Suzanne Thai:

    • The TEDx Journey: The behind-the-scenes reality of preparing for a TEDx talk and why Dr. Thai chose to share her most vulnerable stories.
    • From Dread to Joy: How moving from general dentistry to dental sleep medicine saved Dr. Thai’s career and brought back her "spark."
    • The Power of Vulnerability: Why sharing "stories that hurt" fosters deeper connections with patients and peers.
    • Communication as a Clinical Skill: Why taking a perfect bite registration isn't enough—and how to truly engage a patient in their own treatment.
    • The "Chameleon" Technique: How to read a patient’s energy and adjust your own to build immediate trust.
    • Mastering the Physician Referral: Why getting cell phone numbers and sending "sushi photos" is more effective than traditional professional outreach.
    • Role-Play and Recording: The "cringe-worthy" but essential practice of recording your consults to eliminate filler words and improve conversion rates.

    Episode Summary

    For many clinicians, the daily grind of "millimeter-perfect" dentistry can lead to burnout. Dr. Suzanne Thai reached that breaking point after 15 years, but discovered that dental sleep medicine offered a different kind of fulfillment: the ability to save lives and marriages.

    In this episode, Dr. Thai explains that while the clinical mechanics of making an oral appliance are relatively straightforward, the true challenge—and the key to a successful practice—lies in communication and emotional intelligence. She shares her framework for "staying on the line" during patient consults, the importance of genuine compliments, and why her team is required to role-play scenarios regularly.

    Whether you’re looking for the courage to reinvent your career or simply want to improve your patient "yes" rate, Dr. Thai’s high-energy insights provide a roadmap for professional and personal transformation.

    Resources and References Mentioned

    Featured Presentation: Dr. Suzanne Thai’s TEDx Talk

    • (00:04) - Introduction
    • (00:41) - Dr. Thai's First TED Talk
    • (08:40) - Discovering Dental Sleep Medicine
    • (13:14) - How Has The TED Talk Influenced Dr. Thai's Life
    • (18:58) - Can Anyone Practice Dental Sleep Medicine
    • (28:36) - Using Soft Skills To Develop Referring MD Relationships
    • (36:21) - Actionable Advice To Improve Sleep Practice
    • (41:52) - Final Countdown
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    44 min
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