Veterans Gain Access to Alternative Sleep Apnea Treatment Through VA Partnership

The credentialing of Dr. Paul Miller, DDS, D-ABDSM, to provide oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea to Veterans represents a significant advancement in specialized healthcare access for this population. This development addresses a critical need by offering an alternative to traditional CPAP therapy for Veterans who find Continuous Positive Airway Pressure devices challenging to use or ineffective. Sleep apnea, characterized by repeated breathing interruptions during sleep, significantly impacts quality of life and overall health, with particular prevalence among Veterans due to factors including post-traumatic stress disorder and other service-related health issues.

Dr. Miller will provide services at Quarterfield Dental Arts in Glen Burnie, Maryland, through Sleep Impressions and Millennium Sleep Lab, both subsidiaries of apZme, a leader in dental sleep medicine. The collaboration between these organizations and the Department of Veterans Affairs ensures that Veterans in the greater Baltimore region can access oral appliance therapy as a covered benefit through the Community Care Network. This partnership leverages over 20 years of dental sleep medicine expertise from Sleep Impressions and Millennium Sleep Lab, which serve as National Community Care Providers for the VA.

Oral appliance therapy involves a custom-fitted mouthpiece that repositions the jaw to maintain open airways during sleep, offering a non-invasive alternative that many patients find more comfortable and convenient than CPAP devices. By expanding treatment options, the VA aims to improve treatment adherence rates and address the diverse needs of Veterans suffering from sleep apnea. Rani Ben-David, CEO and Founder of apZme, emphasized the importance of this partnership in expanding access to cutting-edge treatments for Veterans across the United States.

This initiative is part of broader efforts to improve Veterans' access to specialized healthcare services through community providers. As the VA continues to expand its provider network, partnerships with dental sleep medicine specialists like Dr. Miller play a crucial role in ensuring comprehensive care for Veterans. The availability of this treatment option through VA benefits represents a proactive approach to addressing sleep-related health issues that disproportionately affect the Veteran population, potentially improving sleep quality, overall well-being, and long-term health outcomes for those who have served.