Taiwan Dental Sleep Medicine Academy | Dental Sleep Medicine · Oral Appliance

About the Academy

Founded in September 2023, the Taiwan Dental Sleep Medicine Academy is dedicated to education, research and specialist certification in dental sleep medicine, connecting dentistry with interdisciplinary sleep-medicine teams to advance evidence-based treatment of sleep-disordered breathing. Given the enormous potential patient population for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) worldwide, current dentist training in dental sleep medicine remains relatively limited and has not kept pace with international developments. In Taiwan, obstructive sleep apnea affects a vast number of people, and a very large proportion of potential patients remain undiagnosed and untreated. The Academy aims to close this gap in education and expertise — helping Taiwan's dentists align with international sleep medicine, build a specialist system, and support better health for the public.

More Than Snoring: OSA Comorbidities You Shouldn't Ignore

OSA is more than just snoring — repeated night-time hypoxia and fragmented sleep can quietly trigger serious comorbidities, and the common ones differ between men and women.

Three Common Comorbidities in Men

Sexual dysfunctionRepeated night-time hypoxia damages the vascular endothelium and impairs penile blood flow, while fragmented sleep disrupts hormone secretion.
Resistant hypertensionHypoxia during sleep drives sympathetic overactivity and stress-hormone release, constricting vessels and making blood pressure hard to control.
Type 2 diabetesIntermittent hypoxia and sleep deprivation trigger systemic chronic inflammation that reduces cells' insulin sensitivity.

Three Common Comorbidities in Women

Comorbid insomnia & sleep apnea (COMISA)About 30%–50% of women with OSA also suffer from insomnia, and are often treated for insomnia alone.
Menopause-related riskAfter menopause, falling estrogen markedly raises the risk of OSA, which can intertwine with night sweats.
Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD)Night-time airway obstruction creates strong negative pressure that draws stomach acid into the esophagus; comorbidity is notably higher in women.

These are comorbidity associations commonly reported in international sleep-medicine literature; actual risk varies between individuals. If you have related symptoms, seek a sleep test and professional assessment early.

Our Mission

Education & Training

A systematic dental sleep medicine curriculum that builds dentists' ability to correctly assess, refer, and fabricate oral appliances.

Specialist Certification

A dental sleep medicine specialist certification program with consistent standards to safeguard treatment quality and patient safety.

Interdisciplinary Care

Collaboration with ENT, pulmonology, neurology and sleep medicine to build a complete diagnose–treat–follow-up care chain.

Evidence & Research

Promoting evidence-based treatment decisions and supporting local clinical research to build Taiwan's own dental sleep data.

What You Should Know

About the Taiwan Dental Sleep Medicine Academy

Founded in September 2023, the Academy advances education, research and specialist certification in dental sleep medicine, connecting dentistry with interdisciplinary sleep-medicine teams.

What Is an Oral Appliance (OAT) and Who Is It For?

An oral appliance (OAT) is a dentist-fabricated, custom intraoral device worn at night to improve snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. Learn its indications and how to choose a legitimate, dentist-made appliance.

Snoring & Sleep Apnea: Warning Signs and When to Seek Care

Long-term snoring, daytime sleepiness, and waking with a dry mouth or headache can be warning signs of sleep apnea. Learn the symptoms, risks, and when to seek a dental sleep assessment.

Anti-Snoring Appliances Are Regulated Medical Devices: How to Identify Legitimate Products

Anti-snoring appliances are regulated medical devices under Taiwan's Medical Devices Act; their fabrication and use must follow a clinician's instructions. Learn how to identify legitimate products and avoid unlicensed ones.

Dental Sleep Medicine Specialist Certification

The dental sleep medicine specialist certification is a professional certification by the Academy, designed to ensure — through consistent standards — that clinicians providing oral sleep treatment have sufficient academic and clinical competence.

Three-Tier Dental Sleep Medicine Training Program

The Academy offers a three-tier (foundation, core, advanced) dental sleep medicine curriculum that builds dentists' ability to correctly assess, refer and fabricate oral appliances.

Dr. Hsu Ming-lun (許明倫)

Founding President (1st and 2nd terms). Distinguished Professor at the Department of Dentistry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, and former Dean of its College of Dentistry. DDS (Kaohsiung Medical University) and Dr. med. dent. (University of Zurich, Switzerland). Specializes in occlusion, temporomandibular disorders, complete denture prosthodontics and implant bone biomechanics; former President of the Taiwan Academy of Prosthodontics and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Dental Sciences. Led the Academy's founding in September 2023.

Dr. Ko Chien-pu (葛建埔)

3rd-term President. Director of Hongcheng Dental Clinic; former President (15th term) of the Taipei City Dental Association and President of the TMU School of Dentistry Alumni Association (16th–17th terms). DDS (Taipei Medical University) and MBA (Southeastern University, USA). A long-time leader in implant-dentistry education and academia–industry collaboration, and former Vice President of an international implant specialist congress. Advances standardized dental sleep specialist certification and systematic member education.

Event Highlights

FAQ

Does long-term snoring mean I have sleep apnea?

Not necessarily, but long-term loud snoring combined with daytime sleepiness, choking awakenings or interrupted breathing warrants a sleep test. Early assessment helps in choosing an appropriate course of action.

What treatment options exist for sleep apnea?

Common options include lifestyle changes, CPAP, an oral appliance (OAT) and surgery, each with its own indications. After a full interdisciplinary assessment, choose an effective treatment you can keep up with consistently.

What is an oral appliance (OAT) and how do I get a legitimate one?

An OAT is a dentist-fabricated, custom intraoral device worn at night to improve snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. Choose an OAT that holds a Taiwan FDA (TFDA) medical-device license and is custom-made by a dentist after a sleep and occlusal assessment, with regular follow-up.

Can I use an anti-snoring mouthpiece bought online?

Not recommended. A one-size-fits-all product without professional assessment or a medical-device license may be ineffective due to poor fit, and may cause bite changes or jaw-joint discomfort. Choose a TFDA-licensed appliance custom-made by a dentist.

Who is better suited to an oral appliance?

International sleep-medicine guidelines note that patients with mild-to-moderate OSA, or those who cannot tolerate CPAP, often consider an OAT as one non-invasive option; suitability must be determined by a clinician based on sleep-test results.

What does earning the Academy's "Dental Sleep Medicine Specialist" certification represent?

It means the clinician has completed the Academy's standardized interdisciplinary training and certification and has evidence-based competence in dental sleep medicine — from sleep-medicine fundamentals and the assessment and design of oral appliances (OAT) to collaboration with ENT, pulmonology, neurology and sleep centers — aligned with international sleep medicine, so they can provide more complete, globally consistent sleep care.

Bringing dental expertise to evidence-based sleep medicine