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Wellspan Health Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine
CPBJ Staff//April 7, 2022
WellSpan Health Pulmonar y and Sleep Medicine in York treats patients with various lung and sleep disorders, such as COPD, asthma, lung cancer, fibrosis, sleep apnea and insomnia. It also provides inpatient pulmonary consultations and critical care management.
Twenty five million Americans have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which occurs when muscles in
the throat relax during sleep causing a disruption in breathing. OSA contributes to cardiovascular
disease, diabetes, obesity, fatigue and increased risk of medical issues during pregnancy for both
mother and baby. Continuous positive air way pressure (CPAP) has long been the gold standard
for treatment.
In 2021, the largest manufacturer of CPAP issued a recall of between three and five million machines. The combination of the CPAP recall and nationwide supply chain disruptions led to a critical need for nonsurgical alternative treatment. Wellspan’s dental sleep medicine team, led by Dr. Michelle Cantwell, provided this option by providing FDA cleared oral appliances.
First, digital scans are performed that generate a 3D image of the patient. The image is then emailed to the lab and the device is printed in a medical grade nylon. The patient wears the appliance at night, which maintains their airway without the use of a CPAP machine.
Wellspan Health is the only hospital system in the area to provide this service.
Thanks to their dedication, the dental sleep team has been able to serve and treat nearly 2,000 patients during the nationwide CPAP recall who were left without any solution of treatment during the recall.
The team also provides remote training to active duty U.S Army medical and dental providers who
have incorporated this service, as well.
