Clinical Professor Stanford University Stanford University, Sleep Medicine
Disclosure(s):
Audrey Yoon, DDS: No relevant disclosure to display
Pediatric dentists are in a unique position to recognize the earliest signs of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) — often more frequently than any other healthcare professional. We see children regularly during critical growth periods and have the opportunity to influence their craniofacial growth trajectory before irreversible changes occur.
This lecture highlights how airway development, facial growth, and sleep physiology are closely interconnected — and how pediatric dentists can apply this knowledge in daily practice.
Dr. Audrey Yoon will present clinically applicable methods for screening and demonstrate simple, step-by-step applications of the “Roadmap of Growth Modification”, an evidence-based framework for guiding early interventions.
Through real clinical cases and current research, participants will gain a deeper understanding of how to identify, manage, and prevent growth and airway problems from infancy through adolescence — transforming pediatric dentistry into a gateway for healthier breathing, sleep, and development.
Learning Objectives:
Understand how craniofacial growth and airway development are linked to pediatric sleep and overall health.
Recognize early dental and facial indicators of sleep-disordered breathing during routine pediatric visits.
Apply the “Roadmap of Growth Modification” to identify the right timing and approach for airway-focused interventions.
