ABDSM study plan
ABDSM · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Patient Selection and Clinical Evaluation & Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders and Diagnosis
Draft a patient-selection checklist covering inclusion/exclusion criteria for oral appliance therapy
Differentiate OSA, central apnea, and hypoventilation syndromes by defining each in writing
Explain AHI, RDI, ODI, and arousal index and state how each is used in candidacy decisions
List the clinical exam elements (airway, dentition, TMJ, BMI, comorbidities) required before appliance therapy
Your checkpoint
A one-page patient-selection and diagnostic-criteria reference sheet in your own words
Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders and Diagnosis & Patient Selection and Clinical Evaluation
Interpret a sample polysomnogram and home sleep apnea test report and write a summary of severity and phenotype
Map screening tools (STOP-BANG, Epworth) to their limitations in dental settings
Describe how to communicate a suspected diagnosis and refer for testing
Identify red-flag presentations that require urgent medical referral
Your checkpoint
Two written de-identified sleep study interpretations with severity classification and referral recommendation
Oral Appliance Therapy: Devices, Design, and Fabrication
Compare mandibular advancement device classes and their indications
Describe the fabrication workflow from records to delivery, including bite registration and protrusive titration
Explain design variables (vertical opening, advancement amount, coverage) and their trade-offs
Outline lab communication and quality-check steps on returned appliances
Your checkpoint
A fabrication workflow flowchart with design-variable decision points
Oral Appliance Therapy: Devices, Design, and Fabrication & Dentistry and Dental Sleep Medicine
List contraindications and precautions tied to periodontal, restorative, and occlusal status
Plan occlusal and TMD assessment steps before and after appliance delivery
Explain expected dental side effects and how to monitor them
Draft patient education talking points on appliance care and hygiene
Your checkpoint
A pre-delivery dental screening and occlusal monitoring protocol
Titration, Follow-Up, and Treatment Adherence
Design a titration schedule with objective and subjective endpoints
Define criteria for efficacy (e.g., symptom resolution, device wear time, follow-up testing) and when to order a repeat sleep study
Build an adherence-tracking approach using wear-time and symptom logs
Describe troubleshooting steps for common complaints (dry mouth, soreness, dislodgement)
Your checkpoint
A titration and follow-up timeline with measurable success criteria at each visit
Titration, Follow-Up, and Treatment Adherence & Dentistry and Dental Sleep Medicine
Create a recall and long-term monitoring schedule including appliance replacement considerations
Document a side-effect management algorithm for occlusal change and tooth movement
Practice writing SOAP-style clinical notes for two titration visits
Identify when to escalate back to the sleep physician
Your checkpoint
Two complete sample clinical notes plus a recall schedule
Interprofessional Collaboration and Practice Management
Map roles of sleep physicians, dentists, and labs across the care pathway
Draft a referral letter and a report-back communication template
Outline documentation, consent, and billing workflow considerations for a dental sleep practice
Describe how to build and maintain an interprofessional referral network
Your checkpoint
A referral and report-back communication packet with workflow diagram
Patient Selection and Clinical Evaluation & Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders and Diagnosis & Oral Appliance Therapy: Devices, Design, and Fabrication & Titration, Follow-Up, and Treatment Adherence & Dentistry and Dental Sleep Medicine & Interprofessional Collaboration and Practice Management
Synthesize all domains into a single integrated case walkthrough from screening to long-term follow-up
Self-test on weak areas identified in earlier weeks and correct knowledge gaps
Rehearse explaining key concepts aloud without notes
Finalize a personal quick-reference summary for exam day
Your checkpoint
One end-to-end integrated case write-up plus a one-page master summary sheet
Milestones
Week 2: Can independently classify sleep study severity and justify referral decisions without notes
Week 4: Can describe the full appliance fabrication workflow and dental screening protocol from memory
Week 6: Can design a titration and follow-up plan with measurable endpoints for a sample patient
Week 8: Completes an integrated case walkthrough across all six domains with self-scored gaps under 20%