Treating Truck Drivers that have Sleep Apnea

Kingsport, TN

Sleep apnea affects millions of adults in the U.S. Many of them are employed in safety-sensitive positions: vehicle or machinery operators, interstate commerce or truck drivers, or the military. These types of positions often require fitness-for-duty assessments that may preclude an individual from getting or keeping their job if the assessment indicates poor health. While fit-for-duty requirements vary by state, noncompliance could be detrimental to the individual’s job and livelihood. There is a good reason why we have mandates around sleep apnea and truck drivers, especially. A truck driver that falls asleep at the wheel could crash and cause detrimental effects on their lives and many others around them that are also on the road. As a sleep apnea dentist, you can help. So today on the blog, find out how treating truck drivers that have sleep apnea is different than treating others with a sleep breathing disorder.

How is treating truck drivers with sleep apnea different from everyone else with the same condition?

Truck drivers are required to pass a Department of Transportation medical exam, conducted by a certified medical examiner. If they pass their exam, the results are good for up to two years. Findings, however, may limit their certification until any identified conditions, such as sleep apnea, are properly managed and no longer pose a health threat to the truck driver. Drivers that are diagnosed with sleep apnea should be issued a one-year certification. Those with a high-risk of sleep apnea but have not yet received an official sleep study with a positive diagnosis may receive a 90-day certification. The three-month certification remains pending status until the driver undergoes a sleep study. Therefore, it is evident that the results of their sleep study are directly tied to their DOT medical exam.

What is the guiding legislation surrounding sleep apnea and truck drivers?

Ensuring that truck drivers with sleep apnea have their condition under control is vital. However, in 2014, Congress passed Public Law 113-45 that prohibits the issuance of formal guidance or regulations on sleep apnea without following a formal rulemaking process. So, while there currently are no formal laws that require truck drivers to undergo sleep apnea testing or treatment, legislation does state that a truck driver is prohibited from operating commercial motor vehicles for interstate commerce if their medical history states they have a clinical diagnosis of a respiratory dysfunction that is likely to interfere with their ability. Since obstructive sleep apnea is considered a respiratory dysfunction, it’s imperative that they control their condition with effective treatment.

Is oral appliance therapy enough treatment for truck drivers with sleep apnea?

As a sleep apnea dentist, you’re well aware of the benefits of oral appliance therapy. However, the Medical Review Board states that oral appliance therapy should not be the first line of defense to treat sleep apnea in truck drivers, although some medical examiners approve oral appliance therapy as a suitable treatment. When an oral appliance is used to treat sleep apnea in truck drivers, their treatment progress will be monitored for compliance. In some cases, specially designed oral appliances are equipped with Bluetooth chips that monitor whether the patient wears their appliance. Be mindful of this if you’re prescribing an oral appliance to treat a truck driver with sleep apnea.

Should dentists treat truck drivers with sleep apnea?

Absolutely! We share this information so that you’re aware of potential challenges and how best to help your patient. As an airway dentist, you understand the long-term health effects of letting sleep apnea go untreated, and so it is in the best interest of your patients to ensure you offer the best treatment available for their case.

Sleep Apnea Appliances

If you’re interested in learning more about offering oral appliance therapy in your practice, contact Premier Dental Arts by calling (888) 732-5221.