Instructor: Dave Henrichsen, RDH, COM, CertBBM, CH-OSE

Bio: Dave Henrichsen is a dedicated myofunctional therapist and educator committed to improving lives through better airway health, oral function, and holistic care. Drawing on extensive clinical practice and professional education, he helps patients address dysfunctions related to oral habits, breathing, and posture through personalized, evidence-informed treatment that targets root causes rather than symptoms alone. Dave also provides comprehensive training for aspiring and practicing myofunctional therapists, offering guidance on the clinical, technical, and entrepreneurial skills needed to build sustainable, successful practices and create meaningful impact in their communities. A strong advocate for interdisciplinary collaboration, he works to advance the integration of myofunctional therapy with dental, orthodontic, and medical care, with particular attention to sleep-disordered breathing, orofacial development, and chronic health conditions. Known for his engaging storytelling, humor, and actionable insights, Dave is a sought-after speaker at industry conferences, workshops, and events, where he shares practical strategies for incorporating myofunctional therapy into modern healthcare. Through his work, he continues to bring clarity, compassion, and innovation to the field while helping create healthier lives and stronger practices. 

Course Description: This lecture provides a foundational overview of sleep physiology, sleep-disordered breathing, and the role of dental professionals in early identification and referral. Participants will explore the stages and cycles of normal sleep, the effects of disrupted sleep on overall health, and common sleep-related conditions including snoring, UARS, obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, insomnia, and narcolepsy. The lecture also introduces common sleep-study terminology and screening tools while connecting these concepts to clinical findings seen in the dental setting. Drawing from a myofunctional therapy perspective, the lecture emphasizes breathing, oral function, compensatory patterns, and the importance of recognizing when a patient may benefit from further medical evaluation.

Objectives:

1. Explain the relationship between healthy sleep, disrupted sleep, and overall health and well-being.
2. Describe normal sleep physiology, including the stages and cycles of sleep and their relationship to overall health.
3. Differentiate common sleep disorders and sleep-related terminology, including snoring, UARS, OSA, CSA, insomnia, and narcolepsy.
4. Recognize findings suggestive of sleep-disordered breathing and describe the dental professional's role in screening, early identification, and appropriate referral.

Instructor: Tamara Thomas RDH, CSOM, CH-OSE

Bio: Tamara Thomas is an accomplished Registered Dental Hygienist and Certified Specialist in Orofacial Myology, having earned her CSOM through the Graduate School of Behavioral Health Sciences. As the visionary owner of Facial Physique Myofunctional Therapy, established in San Diego in 2017, she is dedicated to improving oral and systemic health by helping children and adults achieve better breathing and craniofacial development through specialized care. Serving as Board Chair of the National Network of Healthcare Hygienists, Tamara advocates for progress in the profession and empowers dental hygienists to incorporate essential systemic-health principles into daily practice. Her commitment to education also includes her work as a distinguished speaker for the interdisciplinary STAR course, which advances collaborative approaches to sleep, ties, and airway concerns, as well as her completion of the Oral Systemic Educator Certificate Program. Previously, Tamara served as a myofunctional mentor with Myomentor and Airway Circle, reflecting her ongoing dedication to developing future therapists, advancing effective myofunctional therapy, and supporting comprehensive patient care. 

Lecture 1: Airway Anatomy, Physiology, and Craniofacial Development  

Course Description: This course provides a foundational overview of upper airway anatomy and basic breathing physiology for healthcare professionals. Participants will develop a clear understanding of the major anatomical structures of the upper airway, including their organization, terminology, and anatomical relationships. The course explores the primary functions of these structures in supporting normal breathing and guides learners through the pathway of airflow during nasal respiration. Through a systematic review of upper airway anatomy, participants will gain an appreciation for how individual structures work together to facilitate efficient airflow and maintain normal respiratory function. Designed as an Anatomy 101 course, this lecture establishes the essential anatomical knowledge and terminology needed to understand the upper airway before progressing to more advanced topics related to airway physiology, sleep-disordered breathing, craniofacial development, and clinical application.

Objectives:

1. Identify the major stages of embryologic airway and craniofacial development, including key developmental milestones from early gestation through childhood.
2. Describe the anatomy and primary functions of the nasal cavity, nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx, and explain their roles in normal breathing and airway function.
3. Explain the sequential process of normal respiration, including ventilation, gas exchange, perfusion, and cellular respiration, and its relationship to oxygen delivery and carbon dioxide removal. 

Lecture 2: Functional Airway Support with Myofunctional Therapy

Course Description: This introductory course provides a foundational overview of myofunctional therapy, its historical evolution, and its role in promoting healthy oral and facial muscle function. Participants will learn the definition of myofunctional therapy, explore the history and development of the profession, and gain an understanding of its core principles. The course reviews the four primary goals of myofunctional therapy and discusses how therapy supports normal breathing patterns and healthy orofacial function. Participants will also be introduced to the evidence-based role of myofunctional therapy as an adjunctive approach for individuals with sleep-disordered breathing, including obstructive sleep apnea, within a multidisciplinary model of care.

Objectives:

1. Define orofacial myofunctional therapy and describe its historical development and primary functional goals.
2. Identify common orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs) and explain how they may affect breathing, oral rest posture, and orofacial function.
3. Describe the current evidence regarding myofunctional therapy as an adjunctive approach in obstructive sleep apnea, including findings in adult and pediatric populations and the importance of collaborative care.

Instructor: Joy Lantz, RDH, PHDH, FADHA, COM®, IBCLC

Bio: Joy Lantz, RDH, PHDH, FADHA, COM®, IBCLC is a dental educator, consultant, and clinician dedicated to advancing integrative, prevention-focused care. She earned her certification in orofacial myology through the International Association of Orofacial Myology (IAOM) in 2017 and is the immediate past president of the IAOM. In 2022, she became an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), further deepening her whole-body approach to oral health. Joy is the founder of Joy Lantz: Transforming Oral Health, and creator of DEMBRA™ and Blooms Oral Milestone Program. She uses these tools to educate patients, parents, and professionals while consulting with dental practices seeking to thoughtfully integrate airway-centered care. Her passion lies in empowering dental and medical teams to collaborate in early screening for oral myofunctional and airway disorders to support lifelong health.

Course Description: Airway health begins long before a child takes their first dental visit. Early feeding, oral function, and developmental patterns can influence craniofacial growth and airway development, creating patterns that may continue throughout childhood and into adulthood. This course introduces foundational concepts of airway health and explores how dental professionals can recognize early indicators that may warrant a closer look. Participants will examine common feeding challenges, oral motor concerns, and developmental signs in infants, along with airway-related indicators that may appear later in childhood and adulthood. Emphasis will be placed on connecting what providers observe in the dental setting with patterns established earlier in development and understanding the role of an interdisciplinary team in supporting healthy outcomes. Attendees will leave with a clearer framework for recognizing potential airway concerns and understanding how early oral function may shape the developing airway across the lifespan.

Objectives:

1. Define foundational concepts related to airway health, including the role of infant feeding and the interdisciplinary team in supporting healthy airway development.
2. Identify common airway health indicators and risk factors in infants, including feeding challenges, oral motor concerns, and developmental signs that may suggest compromised airway function.
3. Describe how early oral function and infant feeding patterns influence craniofacial growth and airway development and how these patterns may progress into childhood.
4. Recognize common airway-related indicators in children and adults that may represent the continuation of developmental patterns established during infancy.

Coming soon

Instructor: Jessica Lee, MD

Bio: Dr. Jessica Lee is a double board-certified Otolaryngologist–Head and Neck Surgeon (ENT) and Lifestyle Medicine physician specializing in integrative approaches to chronic airway and sinus disease. Dr. Lee has published and spoken nationally on topics including chronic rhinosinusitis, airway health, reflux, and the gut-airway connection, with a strong emphasis on patient-centered, multidisciplinary care. She is an adjunct professor at Medical University of South Carolina, serves on the AAO-HNS Committee for Integrative Medicine, and has been recognized as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor. Based on her clinical experience, Dr. Lee launched The Sinus Reset course to guide people through an integrative framework for managing recurrent acute and chronic sinusitis.

Course Description: This lecture provides an evidence-based overview of common upper airway disorders encountered by otolaryngologists that contribute to airway dysfunction across the lifespan. Participants will review structural and inflammatory conditions affecting the nose, nasopharynx, and oropharynx-including, but not limited to septal deviation, turbinate hypertrophy, chronic rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, and adenotonsillar hypertrophy-and examine how these conditions influence breathing, sleep, and oral health. The presentation will also introduce common ENT diagnostic tools, including nasal endoscopy, cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), and drug-induced sleep endoscopy, highlighting the complementary role of each in the evaluation of upper airway disorders and treatment planning. Medical and surgical management options will be reviewed within the context of current evidence and an interdisciplinary model of care. Emphasis will be placed on recognizing clinical situations in which collaboration between dental professionals and otolaryngologists may improve patient outcomes.

Objectives:

1. Identify common structural and inflammatory disorders of the upper airway that contribute to impaired nasal breathing and sleep-disordered breathing.
2. Explain the role of otolaryngologic evaluation in assessing upper airway dysfunction and guiding treatment decisions including:
1. nasal endoscopy
2. cone beam computed tomography (CBCT)
3. polysomnography
4. drug-induced sleep endoscopy
3. Discuss common upper airway disorders that are primarily managed medically from those that may warrant surgical intervention.

Instructor: Chase Edwards, DDS

Bio: Dr. Edwards is an experienced dentist and practice owner with specialized expertise in temporomandibular disorders (TMD), sleep-related breathing disorders, orthodontics, and facial orthopedics. He is skilled in comprehensive general dentistry, airway-focused treatment planning, mandibular advancement therapy, and interdisciplinary patient care. Proven leadership in private practice management with a focus on functional and aesthetic outcomes.

Course Description: This course provides an overview of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and oral appliance therapy, with an emphasis on the dental team’s role in screening, referral, and collaborative care. Participants will explore the health consequences of OSA, the mechanism and appropriate use of mandibular advancement devices (MADs), pre-treatment evaluation and referral pathways, appliance fabrication and titration, and ongoing monitoring. The course will also address compliance, potential complications, documentation, and medical billing considerations to support safe and effective dental sleep medicine care.

Objectives:

1. Describe the pathophysiology and health consequences of OSA, and identify the dental team's role in screening and referral.
2. Describe the mechanism of action of mandibular advancement devices, and identify indications and contraindications for oral appliance therapy.
3. Identify the components of a comprehensive pre-treatment workup, and describe the referral pathway between dentist and sleep physician.
4. List the steps of MAD fabrication and delivery, and describe the titration protocol used to optimize therapeutic efficacy.
5. Identify methods for monitoring compliance and managing complications, and describe documentation and medical billing protocols.

Instructor: Najmeh Hannanvash, DDS, MSD

Bio: Dr. Najmeh Hannanvash, DDS, MSD, is a board-certified pediatric dentist and the owner of Little Star Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics and Little Star Breathe in San Diego, California. She specializes in pediatric airway health, oral restrictions, and early growth and development, treating newborns, children, and adults with tongue and lip ties using advanced CO2 laser techniques. Dr. Hannanvash is passionate about identifying breathing, sleep, and functional concerns early, and her approach includes early orthodontic care, myofunctional therapy, habit correction, and collaboration with other healthcare professionals. She is also the founder and course director of the STAR Course, which focuses on pediatric sleep, oral restrictions, airway health, craniofacial development, and early intervention. 

Course Description: Pediatric dentistry plays an important role in the early recognition and management of factors that can influence airway health, oral function, and craniofacial growth and development. This course explores the clinical signs and symptoms of oral restrictions in infants and children, as well as findings associated with pediatric sleep disordered breathing that may be identified during the dental examination. Participants will examine early interceptive approaches and management strategies, including palatal expansion, habit correction, myofunctional therapy, and tongue tie intervention. Emphasis will be placed on applying clinical assessment to recognize concerns early, determine appropriate next steps, and understand the role of collaboration among dental professionals, orthodontists, and other relevant specialists in the management of pediatric airway and growth related concerns. 

Objectives:

1. Recognize the primary signs and symptoms of oral restrictions in infants and children.
2. Evaluate early interceptive treatment options, including palatal expansion, habit correction, myofunctional therapy, and tongue tie release, to support optimal craniofacial growth and function.
3. Identify signs of pediatric sleep disordered breathing in the dental setting and formulate an appropriate interdisciplinary management plan through collaboration with dental professionals, orthodontists, and other pediatric airway specialists.

Instructor: Brian Hockel, DDS

Bio: Dr. Hockel is a graduate of the UCSF School of Dentistry and, following in his father’s footsteps, has been practicing orthodontics for 26 years. He focuses on treatments which protect or enhance the airway. Having taught an Airway Orthodontics Mini-Residency, he’s also been an instructor for, and a board member of, and the editor of the Journal of the Academy of Airway and Gnathologic Orthopedics (the AAGO). He’s a founding member of the North American Association for Facial Orthotropics (the NAAFO), and he teaches hands-on orthodontics for the Early Childhood Health-Centered Orthodontics (or “ECHO”) mentorship with Dr. William Hang, DDS. He has lectured nationally and internationally on non-retractive, health-centered, airway orthodontics. Hobbies include playing bass in two bands, including the Pulmonauts, and poking fun at the view that expansion is our most important airway orthodontic strategy. Dr. Hockel practices and lives in Walnut Creek, California, with his wife Beth and (only) three of their eleven children.

Course Description: Orthodontics and craniofacial treatment have the potential to extend far beyond the traditional aims of straightening teeth and correcting the bite. There is now a clear obligation to recognize the relationship between craniofacial structures and sleep-disordered breathing and, equally, to seek out treatments that positively influence the structures governing airway health. Just as important is the recognition that some conventional approaches to achieving traditional orthodontic and craniofacial goals may inadvertently increase a patient's risk of sleep breathing problems.

This presentation offers an accessible, commonsense overview of the orthodontic and craniofacial strategies, some of them unconventional, that aim to improve sleep-disordered breathing while minimizing the risk of adverse health outcomes. Applied thoughtfully, these approaches carry the potential for life-changing benefits to airway function, sleep quality, and overall health.

Objectives:

1. Describe the three general treatment goals of airway and health-centered craniofacial treatment.
2. Identify specific treatment strategies which support these goals, with an emphasis on those that modify the anterior-posterior craniofacial structure.
3. Recognize and describe specific orthodontic mechanics that can be detrimental to the adult airway and overall health. 

Instructor: Kimmie Herrera, BSDH, RDH, COM®

Bio: Kimmie Herrera is a Registered Dental Hygienist, Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist, and founder of Smile and Airway Health, a Colorado-based practice providing in-person and virtual care for children and adults worldwide. Involved in airway health since 2011 and myofunctional therapy since 2017, she has developed a collaborative, airway-focused approach through advanced training and has helped nearly 2,000 patients. Kimmie works closely with dental and medical professionals to improve airway screening and patient care, while also providing education, coaching, mentorship, and professional development for therapists. She previously served on the board of Airway Circle and founded The Myo Community in 2025, a Colorado study club that brings myofunctional therapists together for learning, case discussion, and collaboration. In recognition of her leadership and advocacy, she received the Ethel Covington Award from the Colorado Dental Hygienists’ Association in 2023, and she continues to advance airway-focused care through teaching and professional education. 

Course Description: As awareness of sleep-disordered breathing and airway health continues to grow, dental hygienists are increasingly recognizing clinical signs that may warrant further evaluation. However, knowing what to look for is only part of the equation; knowing how to discuss these findings with patients and parents can be equally important. This course provides practical, evidence-informed communication strategies to help dental hygienists confidently initiate patient-centered conversations while remaining within their professional scope of practice. Participants will learn techniques for introducing airway concerns, asking meaningful questions, addressing common misconceptions, and educating patients without creating fear or implying a diagnosis. Through real-world clinical scenarios and communication frameworks, attendees will gain the confidence to transform routine hygiene appointments into opportunities for early identification, patient education, and interdisciplinary collaboration, ultimately helping patients and families take informed next steps toward improved health. 

Objectives:

1. Explain the role of the dental hygienist in recognizing and communicating observations that may indicate sleep-disordered breathing while remaining within the appropriate scope of practice. 
2. Demonstrate patient-centered communication strategies that encourage discussion of sleep and airway concerns without creating fear or implying a diagnosis. 
3. Differentiate between language that promotes collaboration and language that may unintentionally create resistance during chairside conversations. 
4. Identify appropriate next steps after recognizing potential signs of sleep-disordered breathing during a dental hygiene appointment. 

Instructor: Amanda Zubricki, RDH, BS, LMBT, CertBBM, CFT, COM®

Bio: Amanda Zubricki, BS, RDH, LMBT, CertBBM, CFT, COM, is a Certified Orofacial Myologist, Craniosacral Fascial Therapy practitioner, healthcare educator, and founder of The Myo Project in Raleigh, North Carolina. With a background in dental hygiene, psychology, myofunctional therapy, and massage therapy, she focuses on connecting oral health with whole-body wellness through evidence-informed, collaborative care. Inspired by her daughter’s early feeding and oral-function challenges, Amanda developed a passion for helping patients and healthcare providers better understand the relationship between oral function, breathing, sleep, and overall health. Her clinical interests include airway health, sleep-disordered breathing, TMJ dysfunction, tethered oral tissues, and early intervention. Amanda also serves as a Trustee for the North Carolina Dental Hygienists’ Association, leads the Raleigh Chapter of the Airway Circle Study Club, and teaches with the National Network of Healthcare Hygienists. She is currently developing an American Sign Language workshop for dental professionals to promote better communication, accessibility, and care for Deaf and Hard of Hearing patients.

Course Description:  Airway dysfunction often presents first in the dental office, making dental professionals uniquely positioned to identify patients who may benefit from further evaluation and interdisciplinary care. This course provides a practical approach to integrating airway-focused assessments into everyday clinical workflows without disrupting efficiency. Participants will learn how to recognize common signs and symptoms of compromised airway health, understand how these findings influence treatment planning, and determine when referrals are appropriate. The course will also explore the roles of key members of the interdisciplinary team, including myofunctional therapists, orthodontists, ENTs, sleep physicians, and other healthcare providers. We will discuss strategies for effective communication and collaboration. Through clinical examples and implementation-focused guidance, attendees will gain the knowledge and confidence to incorporate airway screening into routine dental care, strengthen referral relationships, and improve patient outcomes through comprehensive, team-based treatment planning.

Objectives:

1. Recognize clinical signs and symptoms of airway dysfunction during routine dental examinations.
2. Assess how airway-related findings influence comprehensive treatment planning and overall patient care.
3. Implement a practical workflow for airway screening, interdisciplinary referrals, and collaboration within the dental practice.

Instructor: Angela Richwine, RDH, BAS, QOM, COM®

Bio: Angela Richwine, RDH, BAS, QOM®, is a dental hygienist, qualified orofacial myologist, educator, and founder of Central Virginia OMT LLC with 30 years of experience in dentistry. Drawing on both professional training and personal experience with thumb sucking, an open bite, and low tongue-rest posture, Angela is deeply committed to helping clients recognize and address orofacial myofunctional disorders. After being introduced to the field at a dental hygiene conference in the early 2000s, she pursued extensive advanced education through the International Association of Orofacial Myology, Neo-Health, MyoMentor, The Breathe Institute, BabyMouth and ToddlerMouth, Buteyko breathing, face yoga, gua sha, and ongoing continuing education; she also holds the Qualified Orofacial Myologist designation. Angela provides virtual and in-office myofunctional therapy and collaborates with dental, medical, and allied-health professionals to support coordinated, individualized care. A former volunteer Director of Operations for Airway Circle, she also educates dental teams and dental hygiene students at offices, colleges, and universities on recognizing myofunctional concerns, appropriate next steps, and referral pathways. 

Course Description: This lecture introduces registered dental hygienists to referral mapping and collaborative sleep care. Participants will explore interprofessional roles, shared terminology, scope-conscious communication, and practical referral pathways that support timely evaluation, coordinated follow-up, and closed-loop patient care.

Objectives:

1. Identify the roles and scopes of professionals involved in collaborative sleep care.
2. Explain common sleep-medicine terminology, screening concepts, and communication strategies.
3. Select appropriate referral destinations based on patient reports, clinical observations, and screening findings.
4. Differentiate referral pathways for sleep, airway, dentofacial, speech, feeding, and oral-function concerns.
5. Evaluate referral effectiveness using structured communication, follow-up, and closed-loop principles.
6. Create a practical, scope-conscious referral map for use in the dental setting.

Instructor: Becky Reed, RDH, BS

Bio: Becky Reed, RDH, BS, is a dental sleep medicine and TMD medical billing specialist who combines nearly a decade of clinical experience as a dental hygienist with extensive expertise in helping practices build successful dental sleep and TMD programs. As Lead Training & Implementation Specialist and Sales Consultant at Nierman Practice Management, she supports dental offices nationwide by integrating medical billing into their workflows, training teams on DentalWriter Plus, and providing in-office and remote education on treating sleep apnea and TMD. Her experience managing cases from patient intake through billing makes her training practical, clear, and grounded in real-world practice. Becky holds a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene from O’Hehir University and an Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene from Ferris State University. Outside of her professional work, she volunteers with Smiles at Sea continuing education cruises and traveled to Kenya in 2025 with Safari N Smiles to provide dental mission care and teach a continuing education course. She is passionate about helping dental teams view medical billing as an opportunity to improve both patient health and practice success. 

Course Description: As the role of dentistry in the management of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) continues to expand, dental professionals must understand not only oral appliance therapy but also the medical billing process that supports patient access to care. This introductory course provides dental hygienists and dental team members with a practical overview of medical billing for dental sleep medicine. Participants will explore key billing terminology, documentation requirements, insurance verification, diagnosis and procedure coding, and the workflow for submitting medical claims related to oral appliance therapy. Emphasis is placed on establishing medical necessity, reducing claim denials, and improving communication with patients, physicians, and insurance carriers. Attendees will leave with foundational knowledge and practical strategies to confidently support medical billing processes and contribute to efficient, compliant, and patient-centered dental sleep medicine programs within their practices.

Objectives:

1. Discuss why medical billing is relevant in dentistry and define the key terminology used in dental sleep medicine medical billing, including medical necessity, prior authorization, CPT®, HCPCS, ICD-10-CM, and EOB. 
2. Explain the roles of ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes, CPT/HCPCS procedure codes, and supporting documentation in submitting accurate medical claims for dental sleep appliances. 
3. Identify the essential documentation required to support medical billing for oral appliance therapy, including the physician's order, sleep study, diagnosis, clinical notes, and informed consent. 
4. Describe the process of verifying a patient's medical insurance benefits, including determining coverage, prior authorization requirements, deductibles, co-insurance, and out-of-pocket responsibilities. 
5. Summarize the steps in the medical billing workflow for dental sleep medicine, from patient intake and insurance verification through claim submission, payment posting, and appeals or resubmissions when necessary.