Now, Americans aren’t the only ones who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. OSA deprives sufferers of much needed sleep and poses serious health risks. Nearly 40 million adults suffer from from a sleep disorder, and 5 percent of those may stop breathing for up to a minute in their sleep, which is the textbook characterization for obstructive sleep apnea. Often, it’s associated with excessive snoring, but it’s not always that easy to diagnose. Along with daytime sleepiness, the periodic lack of oxygen can create a risk for cardiovascular conditions, such as high blood pressure or stroke, as well as diabetes and depression.

So when Hector Martinez, the Tufts-trained dean of a Mexican dental school, realized his country could benefit from dentists with sleep medicine expertise, he reached out to Boston.

The result become a collaboration between Tufts School of Dental Medicine and the University of Monterrey (UDEM) that allows students in Mexico to take the Tufts class in dental sleep medicine using distance-learning technology. The UDEM, now in its second year is the first of its kind in the country.

Mexico’s public health insurance does not cover treatment for sleep disorders, nor do most private insurance plans. However, Martinez’s wife, Gabriela Garza, DG09, works at UDEM's orofacial pain clinic, where patients thought to have sleep disorders are evaluated and diagnosed. There, they can diagnose and treat low income families and have an emphasis on the community.

About Tanasbourne Family Dental

Tanasbourne Family Dental in Beaverton ( http://www.tanasbournefamilydental.com ) is a dental practice devoted to restoring and enhancing the natural beauty of your smile using conservative, state-of-the-art procedures that will result in beautiful, long lasting smiles. As your dental health professionals, the professionals at Tanasbourne Family Dental want you to be confident knowing that they are a team of highly trained and skilled clinicians. The company prides themselves in providing the care you need to keep your smile healthy.

Tanasbourne Family Dental
17895 NW Evergreen Pkwy #150
Beaverton, OR 97006
Phone: (503) 533-9868

Contact:
Rich Martel
[email protected]