Special Article 1, Issue 13.3
The Meaning of #AADSMBetterTogether: Perspectives from Dentists in Dental Sleep Medicine
http://dx.doi.org/10.15331/jdsm.7460
Disclaimer: The use, mention or depiction of any product, device, service or appliance shall not be interpreted as an endorsement, recommendation or preference by the AADSM. Any opinion expressed is solely the opinion of the individual, and not that of the AADSM.#AADSMBetterTogether is used by the AADSM. Recently, the AADSM invited AADSM President Dr. Paul Jacobs and other members to share what it means to them in the context of their work in dental sleep medicine and within the AADSM. Here’s what they had to say:
WHAT DOES #AADSMBETTERTOGETHER MEAN TO YOU IN THE CONTEXT OF YOUR WORK IN DENTAL SLEEP MEDICINE AND/OR THE AADSM?
Political scientist Robert Putnam coined the term “social capital” in his watershed work Making Democracy Work. He posits that tools of your trade and then education of how to use those tools are necessary for minimal function in your vocation. When people with the same tools and education come together and form closer bonds and associations, sharing their knowledge and experience, there is a blossoming of trust and increased productivity that ensues.
The American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine is one of those organizations that provides the opportunity for us to gather around a common cause, namely the health of our patients, but also the health of our members and their practices.
It’s been said that you only reap what you sow, and the AADSM has been that place where I have made lifelong friendships, networked with the experts, celebrated successes, and been consoled through failures.
As I’ve assumed the presidency of the organization, I can see clearly that all accomplishment is a result of team efforts. The Academy is full of many smaller interconnected teams. My suggestion is to find one (or more), get integrated, and continue your journey surrounded by friends and colleagues.
Truly, #AADSMBetterTogether!
Paul Jacobs, DDS
#AADSMBetterTogether means that we do not accomplish the work of dental sleep medicine alone. Instead, the best patient outcomes happen when dentists, staff, sleep physicians, lab teams, and educators work together. In such a context, every member brings a different perspective and expertise, and that collaboration ultimately helps patients get diagnosed, treated, and healthier.
The AADSM community flourishes through teamwork. We are all better together, whether that’s through mentoring, sharing clinical experiences, advancing research, or simply being willing to have conversations that move the field forward. We love to learn in the AADSM and we do so from each other, while supporting one another professionally.
Lucy Hovanisyan, DDS
#AADSMBetterTogether is a must when practicing dental sleep medicine. Better sleep for our patients happens when dentists, physicians, and healthcare team members work together to educate people on the importance of good sleep, quantity, and quality. Sleep health affects nearly every system in the body, and different healthcare providers will notice different warning signs.
When all health professionals talk about sleep, patients will hear a consistent message. Sleep disorders can be identified early, and treatment becomes comprehensive. With collaboration, patients will understand that sleep is a health issue, not a lifestyle issue. This collaboration can improve long-term outcomes.
In dental sleep medicine specifically, the partnership matters because treatment often combines medical diagnosis with dental therapy, a mandibular advancement device. A team approach Behelps ensure safety, effectiveness, and ongoing care.
The American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine is important because it helps bring consistency, education, collaboration, and clinical standards to the growing field of dental sleep medicine.
This organization also helps turn collaboration into better patient care by uniting dentistry and medicine around the shared goal of healthier sleep.”
Chiarina Iregui, DDS
#AADSMBetterTogether means that no one in dental sleep medicine has to figure it out alone — because our AADSM volunteers made sure of that.
Consider what our community has built: 78 tools and templates covering every corner of DSM practice — screening, treatment, patient communication, physician referrals, reimbursement, marketing, and practice setup — most ready to personalize and use immediately. Thirty-eight free CE credits spanning TMD, medical insurance credentialing, LinkedIn-driven referrals, physician collaboration, and combination therapy. A Practice Management Program where passionate AADSM volunteers share 14 hours of real-world guidance — including insurance navigation and example patient and physician conversations — all for $750. And a DSM Team Training Program that gives your entire staff 13.75 hours of foundational dental sleep medicine education for just $300.
None of this came from a corporation. It came from colleagues who love this field and chose to give their time so that every AADSM member could succeed. That's what #AADSMBetterTogether means: a community of volunteers who quietly built something extraordinary — and keep showing up to make it better. I am honored to serve on the AADSM Board alongside people whose generosity quite literally changes patients' lives, one breath at a time.
Sue Ellen Richardson, DDS
For me, the phrase #AADSMBetterTogether represents the AADSM community, which has provided me with comprehensive DSM support and incredible friendships in recent years.
The AADSM helped start my journey as a general dentist by providing foundational continuing education courses, which quickly led me into the Mastery program. Today, the community continues to sustain my growth as a DSM provider through guidance and support, advanced educational opportunities, and informative newsletters. In addition, I enjoy mentoring dentists who are new to DSM, offering them the same guidance and advice that I received.
The AADSM truly is a community of friends, all working together to advance dental sleep medicine and improve our patients’ quality of life.
Kyle Smith, DDS
