Parent and Caregiver Resources
Recognize and Respond to Serious Airway Issues in Children
Whether you’re a parent or a caregiver, you work hard to keep a close eye on children during their every waking moment. When they sleep, you might let yourself rest for a while, just taking a quick peek in to make sure they are sleeping peacefully and not staying up too late with a book or game system under their blankets. However, during their sleep, children may experience a serious health problem that can affect them all day, and possibly all their lives.
We need to be vigilant of these dangerous, even deadly sleep problems, which is where Airway, Sleep, & Pediatric (ASAP) Pathway can help. We are an organization of dentists with detailed training on the identification and management of sleep-disordered breathing in children. If you are concerned about the health of your child or a child in your care, you can learn more about these conditions on our website or contact a local ASAP Pathway dentist today.
Who We Are
ASAP Pathway is an organization of dentists committed to helping children get the sleep they need to thrive. We believe that getting good sleep is an essential foundation to growing up healthy and happy, which is every child’s right.
We seek to achieve this mission through three main values:
Education
Parents and caregivers are in the best position to identify sleep-related problems in children. But in order to be able to do this, they need to know what they are looking for. That’s why we supply the resources included on this website. Here, parents and caregivers can learn what is sleep-disordered breathing, its potential dangers, how to identify it by its symptoms, and how it can be managed.
Training
ASAP Pathway believes that all its dentists should be thoroughly trained in the diagnosis and management of sleep-disordered breathing in children. Even for sleep dentists experienced with the management of sleep apnea in adults, children present a unique challenge. We offer focused training on pediatric sleep-disordered breathing. This includes both classes and mentoring to help dentists learn lessons that come with experience.
Medical Collaboration
Sleep touches virtually all aspects of a child’s life. As a result, properly managing sleep problems often requires an interdisciplinary approach. While ASAP Pathway dentists often take the lead in pediatric sleep-disordered breathing, they usually coordinate work from a team of professionals, including ENTs and other doctors. The goal is to bring in as many professionals as necessary to achieve optimal results for a child’s health and happiness.
A Guide to the Resources
On these pages, you will find detailed information about sleep-disordered breathing in children. This includes a frank and honest discussion of the potential dangers of pediatric sleep apnea. It also includes a list of signs and symptoms to look for, and helps you understand the diagnosis process. There’s even a quiz you can use to decide when to talk to a dentist or doctor about your child’s sleep.
It’s important to know that sleep-disordered breathing is highly manageable. We’ll help you understand your management options so you can take an active role in planning your child’s management.
Don’t Wait to Get Help
Every night a child suffers from sleep-disordered breathing can cause damage to their body. The sooner your child gets management, the sooner they will start to mature and grow to their full ability.
If you suspect your child or a child you care for might have sleep-disordered breathing, please contact a local ASAP Pathway dentist today.