About

About

Established in 1991, the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) is the only non-profit national professional society dedicated exclusively to the practice of dental sleep medicine. The AADSM is the leading national organization representing dentists who treat sleep-disordered breathing, which includes obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and snoring, with oral appliance therapy (OAT).

If left untreated, OSA is a potentially life-threatening condition that can increase the risk for serious health problems such as high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, stroke, diabetes, and depression. OAT is an effective treatment option for people who are living with snoring and OSA.

OAT uses a “mouth guard-like” device worn only during sleep to maintain an open, unobstructed airway. Effective OAT devices are formed from custom dental impressions made by a dentist. An oral appliance is fitted and adjusted by a dentist to ensure proper fit and maximum effectiveness.

Dentists who have a broad understanding of OAT work with a patient’s physician to treat and manage snoring and OSA. Once a patient is diagnosed with primary snoring or OSA by a board-certified sleep physician, a dentist trained in dental sleep medicine can provide effective treatment with OAT.

People with loud snoring and sleep apnea sufferers with difficulty tolerating CPAP should use the AADSM’s online directory to find a dentist who can provide OAT in their area.

Mission

To advance our members’ success in treating obstructive sleep apnea, snoring and associated conditions with education, professional development, practice management resources, advocacy, and research.

Vision

To provide our members with the resources they need to reduce the number of undiagnosed and untreated people with obstructive sleep apnea, snoring and associated conditions.

AADSM History

The American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine was founded in 1991 by a small group of dentists who were interested in studying, researching and practicing dental sleep medicine. Two decades later, the organization now known as the AADSM has grown to more than 3,000 members. Below is a timeline of the milestones in the AADSM's growth:

The Early Years

1991 – Founding and charter members start the Sleep Disorders Dental Society (SDDS) - later to become the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. 
1992 – SDDS becomes incorporated and bylaws are created.
1992 – Inaugural Annual Meeting of the SDDS takes place in Phoenix, Ariz., drawing 25 attendees.
1996 – American Dental Association approves SDDS educational programs for continuing education credit.
1997 – Springer publishes the first volume of Sleep and Breathing, the official peer-reviewed, scientific journal of the AADSM.
1998 – SDDS founds the Certification Program, which will certify more than 100 dentists between 1998 and 2004.
1999 – SDDS honors first recipients of the Pierre Robin Academic Award and Distinguished Service Award at the 8th Annual Meeting.

The ADSM

2000 – SDDS becomes the Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (ADSM).
2000 – ADSM publishes the first issue of Dialogue, the official publication of the AADSM, earlier called the ADSM Report.
2002 – ADSM comes under the management of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM).
2002 – Sleep and Breathing becomes an accepted peer-reviewed journal in the Index Medicus. 
2002 – Academy’s national office moves from Wexford, Pa., to Westchester, Ill.
2002 – ADSM membership surpasses 300 dental professionals.
2003 – The 12th Annual Meeting of AADSM runs in conjunction with the SLEEP Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS) for the first time.
2003 – ADSM sends its first monthly E-News update. 
2004 – American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine (ABDSM) replaces the ADSM’s Certification Program for the administration of board-certification in dental sleep medicine. 
2004 – Academy honors first recipients of the Honorary Member Award and Best Abstract in Dental Sleep Medicine Awards at the 13th Annual Meeting. 
2005 – ADSM offers its first Introduction to Dental Sleep Medicine Course in Miami, Fla.
2006 – AASM publishes “Practice Parameters for the Treatment of Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea with Oral Appliances” in the journal SLEEP.

The AADSM

2006 – ADSM becomes the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM).
2007 – Diplomates of the ABDSM conduct the first AADSM study club.
2009 – AADSM offers its first Advanced Study Club Program and Advanced Course in Oral Appliance Therapy. 
2010 – AADSM offers its first one-day workshop in dental sleep medicine.
2010 – The Research Committee launches a new research award competition for students and clinicians. 
2010 – AADSM relocates to a new national office in Darien, Ill.
2010 – Board of Directors approves DSM Facility Accreditation program.
2011 - AADSM 20th Anniversary Meeting is held in Minneapolis, Minn., June 10-12, 2011.
2011 - AADSM accreditation is granted to a DSM facility for the first time.
2012 - AADSM 21st Annual Meeting in Boston attracts a record attendance of more than 1,100 individuals.
2013 - Academy membership surpasses 3,000 individuals.
2018 - AADSM national office moves to Lisle, Ill.

Awards

The American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine promotes the research of oral appliances and upper airway surgery for the treatment of sleep related breathing disorders. Each year at the AADSM Annual Meeting, the AADSM recognizes individuals whose contributions have helped the academy fulfill its mission.

The AADSM presents awards to dentists, researchers, students and other specialists who have helped advance dental sleep medicine by publishing original research or by demonstrating exceptional leadership and service. 

Distinguished Service Award

• Must have been an active AADSM member in good standing for a minimum of five years including the year they receive the award
• Must have exhibited exceptional initiative, leadership and service in the field of dental sleep medicine
• Must have made meaningful contributions to the AADSM
• Must not have received the Distinguished Service Award previously
• At the discretion of the board, this award may not be presented every year.

Pierre Robin Academic Award

• Must have exhibited exceptional initiative and results in the areas of education or research, with original contributions to the field of dental sleep medicine
• May or may not be an AADSM member in good standing
• At the discretion of the Board, this award may not be presented every year.

Honorary Member Award

The Honorary Member Award is presented at the Annual Meeting to individuals for continued advances in the field of dental sleep medicine. The award is based on an individual's significant, original and sustained contributions of a basic, applied or clinical science evidenced by publications, patents, academic appointments and other efforts. Nominees may or may not be an AADSM member in good standing. The award recipient will be invited to present a lecture at the AADSM Annual Meeting.

Past Recipients:

Research Award Competition

Student Excellence Award

Out of the three finalists, one is selected to receive the Research Excellence Award for having the most outstanding research project.

2022 Winner: Karlien Van den Bossche, MD

Student Research Awards

For current and recent dental sleep medicine students (master/PhD/postdoctoral students/residents). Applicants will be required to submit an abstract through an application process after which the Research Committee will select up to three finalists to present their abstracts at the AADSM Annual Meeting.

2022 Winners: Deshui Li, MSD and Ning Zhou, MSc

Clinical Excellence Award

Out of the three finalists, one is selected to receive the Clinical Excellence Awards for having the most outstanding research project.

2022 Winner: Lilian Chrystiane Giannasi, PhD

Clinical Research Awards

The Clinical Research Awards will be presented to clinicians, researchers or academicians in dental sleep medicine for outstanding research efforts. Applicants will be required to submit an abstract through an application process after which the Research Committee will select up to three finalists to present their abstracts at the AADSM Annual Meeting.

2022 Winners: Bruna Pereira, MSc and Daniel Levendowski, MBA