Looking for ways to increase practice income in the new year? You already know that bringing in new patients takes a lot of time and effort. A popular business dictum is “the best new customer is the customer you already have.”

Instead of focusing on finding new dental customers (especially if you work in a low-population or highly competitive area), consider how you can offer more to your existing customers. One great option? Anti-snoring oral appliances.

According to the Sleep Foundation magazine, roughly 90 million American adults snore. That snoring can make life miserable for a sleep partner. No one wants to receive an elbow in the gut in the middle of the night or get banished to the couch downstairs because of their snoring. By offering to treat patients who snore, you could be creating a much more harmonious household!

Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Heavy snoring on a regular basis may be an indication of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This ups the game considerably -- negatively and (often significantly) impacting patient health. OSA sufferers are denied the refreshing sleep they need to feel awake, energized, and clear-headed during the day.

Sleep Apnea and Anti-Snoring Oral Devices

As a dental practitioner, you should know that a series of oral devices can help minimize or even eliminate snoring  -- and in many cases address mild to moderate OSA.

Anti-snoring oral appliances can advance the mandible to help keep the airway open during the night.  In many cases they are a more comfortable option for patients who find CPAP machines uncomfortable to use.

Insurance for Sleep Apnea

Many health insurance providers cover all or part of the cost of an anti-snoring oral appliance. The fact is, some providers will want the patient to try a CPAP first and will only cover an oral appliance if that method doesn’t work.

It is, however, worth taking some time to determine if offering anti-snoring and sleep apnea oral appliances could help your patients – and help you grow your patient ROI and bring in additional income without the need for a constant stream of new patients. At SML Global, we offer a variety of sleep apnea and anti-snoring oral appliances. Ask Us!