I am a general dentist: Why is screening of obstructive sleep apnea in chronic kidney disease patients my concern?

Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by upper airway
collapse while sleeping at night. There is an increasing body of
evidence that links OSA with chronic kidney disease (CKD).1,2
Though this combination is seen commonly in this patient group,
documented current global evidence ends with a note stating
under-diagnosis of OSA.1Family physicians (FP) are the frontliners
to identify the disease and serving their best. In such
circumstances, why is screening of OSA in CKD patients’, a
general dentist’s (GD) concern? Readers could raise the question
that dental considerations for sleep apnea would be sufficient to
elucidate this scenario? Given yes would mislead the title and not

to get confused with the sleep apnea considerations in dental
offices. The core discussion is about why a GD should screen
OSA and most importantly why is it compulsory in CKD patients,
rather than the diagnostic methods?