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Many employers, especially those who subscribe to wellness management programs, are familiar with chronic conditions such as obesity, heart disease and diabetes and their economic impact on business.

Few, however, recognize or understand the equally significant cost associated with another chronic condition, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). In recent years, the healthcare industry has dedicated more resources for studies and education to help curb financial losses to employers while improving the overall health of OSA patients.

Some studies suggest that the impact of undiagnosed sleep apnea on business might exceed $1 billion. This financial burden is a result of reduced productivity due to absenteeism and fatigue, insurance and wellness costs and workplace accidents.

Sleep apnea goes hand-in-hand with conditions already on employer’s radars. Studies have shown that OSA is an independent risk factor for high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. It is strongly linked with insulin resistance, diabetes, obesity and mood disorders such as depression.

Over 20 million Americans are afflicted with sleep apnea. An estimated 80 and 85 percent of individuals with OSA are undiagnosed. According to the American Sleep Apnea Association, people with OSA tend to be heavy users of health care resources. Studies show that these people have higher utilization rates and incur greater healthcare costs than non-OSA patients for up to 10 years prior to diagnosis. Patients with OSA incurred medication and hospital costs two to three times the norm. Studies also determined that early diagnosis of OSA can dramatically reduce the impact on healthcare costs.

Untreated OSA can cost employers far more than money spent on healthcare claims. The chronic sleepiness, loss of energy and decreased cognitive function associated with OSA can limit a worker’s ability to perform. In some circles, this situation is now being referred to as “presenteeism” – an employee is at work, but at a reduced capacity to produce.

Specific industries, such as transportation, have begun to consider the ramifications of untreated OSA in their employee populations since sleepiness, fatigue and diminished reflexes increase the risk of accidents. Studies show that untreated OSA increases motor vehicle crashes up to seven times the norm. As such, a panel of physicians specializing in sleep apnea have presented new guidelines to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), stating drivers should be disqualified until the diagnosis of sleep apnea has been ruled out or a patient with OSA is been successfully treated.

According to a study by the University of Pennsylvania and sponsored by FMCSA and the American Trucking Association, 28 percent of truckers have mild to serve sleep apnea. This is an alarming number, considering that there are more than three million truckers on American Highways.

What is sleep apnea? While sleeping, muscles that control the upper airway relax. When these muscles relax too much, the airway will narrow slightly. The result can be snoring – a vibration caused by the soft, floppy parts of the throat as air passes during breathing.

However, if the muscles are too relaxed, the narrowing of the air passageway is more significant and may become blocked, causing a person to stop breathing for 10 seconds or more. During these episodes, a person with sleep apnea may wake gasping for air. This pattern can be repeated over 100 times throughout the night, causing cumulative oxygen deprivation, which puts enormous stress on an individual’s cardiovascular and metabolic systems. Additionally, the repeated arousals at night, necessary to kick-start the breathing cycle, prevent people from getting the restorative sleep necessary for optimal health and daily function. Chronic daytime sleepiness and fatigue are hallmarks of untreated sleep apnea. QCBN

At Arizona Cardiac Sleep Facility (ACSF), we have created educational programs for companies of any size. This includes simple, one-page questionnaires and in-home screening devices to help determine the potential for sleep apnea. Most insurance plans cover the cost for more extensive sleep studies conducted at our facility. We are also planning seminars for both the general public and another specifically for employers and HR Directors later this year. For more information about any of these programs, please call our office at 928-441-1117.

 By Stephen Stuart, M.D.

Recently, a woman interviewed me to determine if I would best qualify to become her dentist. Her proactive approach in selecting her healthcare providers impressed me. She shared her frustration that, despite her best efforts to prevent tooth problems, no amount of brushing, flossing, waterpiking or visits to the dentist staved off her dental problems. Every trip to the dentist revealed new decay and resulted in costly treatment. She had grown discouraged and desperately desired answers. It is for her and others like her that I share this information.

Last month, I provided an overview of a series of articles addressing the “Secrets to a Healthy Smile,” addressing primary contributors to gum problems and tooth loss. The primary contributor I will address this month is common causes of tooth decay.

Leveling the Playing Field

At our office, home of both Jason C. Campbell Cosmetic and Family Dentistry and the Advanced Prosthetics Institute (API), it is our goal that every patient walks away “knowing what we know” to be successful in preventing tooth decay.

Dispelling the Myth

People must understand that all tooth decay is potentially preventable, even in situations with plaguing issues because of genetics or developmentally soft teeth. It is true that some individuals may have more factors working against them than others; nevertheless, with the right understanding and regimen, tooth decay is avoidable. Once cause and prevention factors are understood, even the most discouraged patients have the potential for success.

Understanding Cause  

The only cause of tooth decay is ACID. Developmentally, teeth are made up of a mineral compound of calcium phosphates and water in a structure we call hydroxyapatite. The mineral content of tooth enamel is 98 percent, whereas that of tooth roots (dentin) is only 20 percent. Exposed roots of teeth are much softer than tooth crowns. Acid on teeth and roots dissolves the minerals out of teeth and roots and leaves behind soft holes that must be repaired by your dentist. Therefore, in theory, if oral acid can be controlled, then, in fact, tooth decay is preventable.

Recognizing Oral Acid Sources

1. Oral Bacteria: Each person’s mouth is inhabited by a strain of bacteria that has the ability to convert sugars from the diet into an acid byproduct. Bacteria hide in cracks and grooves in teeth. When we eat sugar, whether the source is sweet snacks or from carbohydrates, starch or milk sugars, bacteria will consume the sugar as a diet source, convert it into acid, and then defecate that acid into your mouth. I don’t know about you, but the thought of that makes me want to brush, floss and rinse right now! Oral bacteria can increase oral acids, resulting in tooth decay.

2. Dietary Acids: What and how you are drinking may be eating your teeth’s minerals. Individuals who sip on coffee, tea, soda, sports and energy drinks, are at high risk for developing rampant tooth decay. While the acidity of a car battery is measured near a PH level of 1, these products measure a PH ranging from 2.3 to 2.7. WOW! In dental terms, that is a very expensive cup of coffee! The acid effect of dietary acid is an issue of time exposure. With that said, it is better to drink your beverage in five minutes rather than two hours and five minutes!

3. Digestive Acids: There are many ailments that we accept as a normal part of everyday living, including, TMJ/TMD pain, migraine, inflammation illnesses, dry mouth, heartburn, acid reflux and various digestive disorders. What may not be understood is that many of these medical issues have dental origins or have negative effects on oral health and tooth decay. For example, digestive acids are very harmful to teeth and extremely aggressive in eating away tooth minerals.

In some instances, like the patient who inspired this article, digestive acids will destroy teeth enamel, despite the best daily hygiene efforts. The PH level of stomach acid ranges from 1.5 to 3, averaging a PH of 2. It’s like having a car battery in your “breadbasket.” Continuing to ignore issues, such as regular heartburn, acid indigestion and reflux is a recipe for disaster. Long-term exposure of acid outside of the stomach may also result in medical issues like Barrett’s esophagus, colitis and stomach, intestinal and esophageal cancers. Talk about expensive health problems to treat! We need to quit ignoring the negative dental effects of acid erosion. If you suspect you may have acid erosion and its going unrecognized, search online for “Photos of Dental Acid Erosion” to see related images. A visit to a dental care provider who is able to diagnose whether your tooth damage is caused by digestive acids may be in order.

4. Medico-Dental Issues: Not all dental issues have a dental origin. Some have a medical origin. Suffice it to say, at both Dr. Jason C. Campbell DDS Cosmetic and Family Dentistry and The Advanced Prosthetics Institute (API), it is our priority to work diligently with physicians and support medical health care providers to get to the source of medically related dental issues and vice versa.

With the exception of a few rare genetic and developmental disorders, tooth decay is preventable and avoidable with the right understanding of its causes, contributors and the direction of a good dental team. Stay tuned for next month’s article, as we reveal the secrets to the right combination of products, treatments and preventive regimens to stop dental decay problems. QCBN

Learn more about our dental services at www.APIDentalRehab.com for comprehensive interdisciplinary dental care services, and www.MyPrescottDentist.com for general dentistry services. API also provides FREE community dental educational seminars. Our next API seminar is entitled “Are Dental Implants Right for You?” and is scheduled for 6-7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 14, at the Club at Prescott Lakes. Eligible attendees will receive a FREE 3D CT Scan and Consultation. Register for the API seminar online at www.APIDentalRehab.com/Register or call our office.

If you have immediate concerns and would like to schedule a consultation, please contact our office at 928-776-0239. We are conveniently open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday-Friday and available for emergencies and walk-ins. Receive a FREE New Patient Exam and 7 Series Bite Wing X-rays when you mention this article while scheduling your appointment.

The mission at the Advanced Prosthetics Institute is to provide full and partial mouth restoration and dental rehabilitation to produce a normal, functional anatomy of the mouth. Our focus is to provide individualized personal care for patients with malocclusions and biofunctional disorders who are continuously plagued with unaddressed oral health issues. API’s goal is to allow people to feel whole again, or for the first time, while establishing confidence in their esthetics and ability to function normally. Learn more about API at www.ApiDentalRehab.com. We are committed to providing educational opportunities to our community to empower you to have the healthy smile you deserve! For more information regarding our upcoming seminars and/or to schedule a consultation, please contact our office 928-776-0239. You can also learn more about the general dentistry services we provide through Jason C Campbell, DDS, Cosmetic and Family Dentistry at www.MyPrescottDentist.com.

April 23, 2015

Prescott Public Library’s Teen Advisory Group is hosting a bully prevention workshop at 6:30 PM. They invite all community members to come learn about this important issue.

Apr. 16, 1:30 at Prescott Public Library. The third class in this recurring series with the Basic Word Processing Skills workshop. Learn to create clean, professional-looking documents with Microsoft Word, the most commonly-used word processing software. Practice some basic formatting exercises on an existing document with an instructor on hand to help. Library staff will lead a 90-minute workshop with hands-on practice to reinforce your new skills.

Basic mouse skills are necessary. Register online, at the Ask a Librarian Desk or call 928.777.1526.

Prescott Public Library brings you the discovery of ideas, the joy of reading and the power of information.  Check the library’s online events calendar at www.prescottlibrary.info, or call 928.777.1526 for more information.

April 11. 5:30-8:00p.m.  The Town of Prescott Valley Arts and Culture Commission cordially invite you to the ribbon cutting ceremony and premiere performances on the vast green lawns of the Civic Center campus at our newly improved amphitheater, “Theater on the Green”.

This celebration officially launches the new covered stage at the Civic Center Amphitheater and the first of many events to be held throughout the season.

The Grand Opening will be attended by local dignitaries and esteemed guests from the Quad-City area. Live music and entertainment will be provided by the Bradshaw Mountain High School Jazz Band, Mile High Comedy Theater and Yavapai College Jazz Band.

This free public event on the rolling lawns of the Civic Center Campus provides plenty of free parking and space to set your lawn chairs and blankets for an open air evening of festivities.

Enjoy dinner and free entertainment with an unobstructed view of the mountains and sunsets from the Civic Center amphitheater. Note: Service animals only – please leave pets at home.

Box Dinners (chicken, beef or vegetarian wraps, pasta salad and lemon bars) are available for pre-purchase at Cork and Cuisine, 2985 N. Center Court, through April 3^rd. Price is $15 + tax. Dinners will also be offered for purchase during the event but are limited to a first-come first-served basis. Snacks and refreshments will be available onsite from the Bradshaw Mountain Band Boosters.

Visit the Quad Cities’ newest outdoor venue with an atmosphere of class, comfort, taste and distinction. The venue is available for your special event by contacting the Parks and Recreation Department. “We look forward to the many events, celebrations and memories to come” said Brian Witty, Director of Parks and Recreation.

Mar 28, 2015

Mark your calendars, because once again, the Town of Prescott Valley is planning big spring fun! Plan to attend the 12th Annual Family Arts Festival and EGGstravaganza on Saturday, March 28.

The Family Art Festival offers free family-oriented, hands-on activities and performance arts from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Visit with Mr. Bunny during the EGGstravaganza, 10 a.m. – noon, and join us on the lawns for the free egg hunts for youth ages 2 – 10, starting at 11 a.m.

Be sure to check out the petting zoo, help Little Bo Peep find her sheep, and enjoy Freedom Station’s inflatable playland, all on the grounds of the Prescott Valley Civic Center.

For more information, call PV Parks & Rec at 928-759-3090 or visit www.pvaz.net.

Mar 18, 2015 @ 3 P.M.

Learn how painters through the ages have used new and different kinds of brushstrokes to capture the effects of light and color, and to express their feelings. Then imitate the techniques to create your own unique artistic vision. Prescott Public Library and Prescott Art Docents team up to bring Art Days at PPL to children, ages 5-12.

Art Days at PPL provides elementary school children with an introduction to artists and their mediums through presentations and a related activity. Register online, at the Youth Desk or call 928.777.1537.

Prescott Public Library brings you the discovery of ideas, the joy of reading and the power of information. Check the library’s online events calendar at www.prescottlibrary.info, or call 928.777.1500 for more information.

Mar 1, 2015 @ 3:00 PM

Yavapai College Performing Arts Center
1100 E. Sheldon St.
Prescott, AZ 86301

This exciting Choral Department concert features musical selections from a variety of well-known Broadway shows. Works include Fiddler on the Roof, Evita, The Preacher’s Wifeand Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. YC Faculty members Dennis Houser and Arlene Hardy are featured soloists. Choirs include the Community Chorale, Chamber Singers, Women’s Chorale, and the Gospel Choir.

This performance is part of the Yavapai College Music Department Concert Series for Spring 2015.

For additional information, please call the Music Office at 928-776-2045. All concerts are in the Yavapai College Performing Arts Center, unless otherwise noted.