The Sleep Society

Position paper by Canadian dental sleep medicine professionals regarding the role of different health care professionals in managing obstructive sleep apnea and snoring with oral appliances - 2012

The present Canadian position paper contains recommendations for the management by dentists of sleep-disordered breathing in adults with the use of oral appliances (OAs) as a treatment option for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The recommendations are based on literature reviews and expert panel consensus. OAs offer an effective, first-line treatment option for patients with mild to moderate OSA who prefer an OA to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, or for severe OSA patients who cannot tolerate CPAP, are inappropriate candidates for CPAP or who have failed CPAP treatment attempts.

The purpose of the present position paper is to guide interdisciplinary teamwork (sleep physicians and sleep dentists) and to clarify the role of each professional in the management of OA therapy. The diagnosis of OSA should always be made by a physician, and OAs should be fitted by a qualified dentist who is trained and experienced in dental sleep medicine. Follow-up assessment by the referring physician and polysomnography or sleep studies are required to verify treatment efficacy.

The present article emphasizes the need for a team approach to OA therapy and provides treatment guidelines for dentists trained in dental sleep medicine. Many of the dentists and sleep physicians who contributed to the preparation of the present article are members of the Canadian Sleep Society and the authors reached a consensus based on the current literature.

Keywords: Bruxism, Dental sleep medicine, Obstructive sleep apnea, Oral appliances, Position paper, Sleep-disordered breathing, Snoring.

Can Respir J. 2012 Sep-Oct;19(5):307–309

Luc Gauthier 1,2,✉, Fernanda Almeida 3, Patrick Arcache 2, Catherine Ashton-McGregor 4, David Côté 5, Helen Driver 6, Kathleen Ferguson 7, Gilles Lavigne 2, Philippe Martin 8, Jean-François Masse 9, Florence Morisson 10, Jeffrey Pancer 11, Charles Samuels 12, Maurice Schachter 13, Frédéric Sériès 9, Glendon Sullivan 14

The Rise of the Sleepcation: Why More Travellers Are Choosing Rest Over Adventure

For many people, traditional vacations have become exhausting. Packed itineraries, early starts, crowded attractions, and the pressure to make every moment count often leave travellers returning home needing another holiday to recover. In response, a new trend has emerged: the "sleepcation."

A sleepcation is a holiday centred on rest, recovery, and healthy sleep. Rather than focusing on sightseeing and activity, travellers deliberately choose destinations and accommodations designed to promote relaxation, restorative sleep, and overall wellbeing. Quiet surroundings, comfortable beds, reduced screen time, and flexible schedules allow guests to unwind and recover from the demands of everyday life.

The popularity of sleepcations reflects a growing awareness of the importance of sleep. Modern lifestyles often involve long work hours, shift work, excessive screen exposure, and chronic sleep deprivation. Many people accumulate significant "sleep debt" over time, leading to fatigue, impaired concentration, reduced productivity, and adverse effects on both physical and mental health.

Hotels and wellness resorts are increasingly responding to this demand by offering sleep-focused experiences. Features may include blackout curtains, soundproof rooms, sleep-friendly lighting, relaxation programs, meditation sessions, and environments specifically designed to encourage restorative sleep.

While a short sleep-focused holiday cannot permanently correct chronic sleep deprivation or untreated sleep disorders, it can provide an opportunity to reset routines, reduce stress, and appreciate the value of healthy sleep. More importantly, it highlights an important message: sleep is not a luxury. It is a biological necessity essential for health, wellbeing, performance, and quality of life.

As awareness continues to grow, sleepcations may represent more than a travel trend—they may signal a broader cultural shift toward recognizing the importance of sleep as a cornerstone of good health.

The Baltimore Sleep Convention (SLEEP 2026) is just getting started! The 40th annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS) runs from June 14 to June 17, 2026

Insomnia Awareness Night
Monday, June 22, 2026, is Insomnia Awareness Night, organized by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Society of Behavioral Sleep Medicine. While June has some of the shortest nights of the year, every night is long when you suffer from chronic insomnia. We’re highlighting the effective treatments and trained providers available to help people who have chronic insomnia.