Free Daily Podcast Summary
ASAP Pathway: THE PODCAST: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Dr. Stacy Becker, DDS
In a world where discussions about sleep and airway issues dominate the dental landscape, the journey to understanding and addressing these concerns has evolved drastically. Join us as we dive into the remarkable transformation of dental care over the last decade, from overlooking airway and sleep health to making it a core aspect of treatment planning. Join us as we uncover the journey of understanding and addressing sleep and airway concerns in children. Whether you're a dedicated Dentist seeking comprehensive guidance, a health care provider wanting to collaborate and Find a Provider to work with, or a concerned Parent evaluating your child's well-being, our podcast sheds light on a clear pathway forward.
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- 1 weeks ago1h 14m
Ep.89, STILL DAMM Good Sleep, But the Mission Just Got Bigger, Dr. Anne Marie Morse, MD
Nearly three years after their first conversation, Dr. Stacy welcomes back her friend, neurologist and sleep medicine specialist Dr. Anne Marie Morse, for a powerful discussion about growth, purpose, and why healthcare needs to change.Since their last episode, Dr. Anne Marie has expanded her mission far beyond sleep medicine. From screening thousands of students for sleep concerns to writing Communication in Healthcare, developing new technology, and launching UCAN (Unifying Care for Advancement Network), she's working to connect the fragmented pieces of healthcare. Dr Anne Marie shares the emotional encounter that changed her perspective on treating chronic illness, why she stepped away from prestigious leadership titles, and how she learned that our worth isn't defined by our credentials.Together, Drs. Stacy and Anne Marie explore why medical success isn't always the same as patient success, why clinicians need to become comfortable saying “I don't know,” and why treating a diagnosis is different from helping someone reclaim their life.They also discuss It All Matters (IAM), a vision for connecting health data, wellness, technology, and individualized care—along with the importance of communication, collaboration, and meeting patients where they are. Because healthcare shouldn't simply be about managing numbers or diagnoses.It should be about helping people live the lives they want to live.And nearly three years later, it's STILL DAMM Good Sleep—but the mission is bigger than ever.Great healthcare isn't just about treating disease. It's about understanding what matters to the person living with it.Visit DAMM Good SleepThe Book, "The Courage to Be Disliked"DAMM Good Sleep IgDAMM Good Sleep TikTokDr. Anne Marie Morse LinkedInCHAPTERS: 📖00:00 Welcome Back to ASAP Pathway02:19 Meet Dr. Anne Marie Morse: Three Years Later04:38 Beyond the Diagnosis: Restoring Hope and Identity11:22 Knowing Your Worth and Letting Go of Titles17:07 The Evolution of DAMM Good Sleep21:15 Introducing UCAN: Breaking Down Healthcare Silos26:32 It All Matters: Redefining Health and Wellness30:04 Putting Patients in Charge of Their Goals33:20 Wearables, Music and Personalized Sleep Solutions38:10 Meeting Patients Where They Are42:08 Why Communication Is Failing Healthcare44:04 The Power of Saying "I Don't Know"46:08 What Does Successful Treatment Really Look Like?50:40 UCAN: Connecting Patients With the Right Providers58:55 Authenticity, Purpose and the Human Side of MedicineLEARNINGS: 💡1. Treat the person, not just the diagnosis. Successful care should restore quality of life, identity, and function—not simply improve clinical numbers.2. Sleep health impacts more than sleep. Sleep and circadian health influence how we think, feel, function, and navigate daily life.3. Your titles don't define your worth. Growth sometimes requires stepping beyond credentials and embracing a bigger purpose.4. Healthcare needs fewer silos. UCAN aims to connect qualified providers, resources, and services so patients aren't left navigating care alone.5. Health and wellness aren't the same. Emotional, social, occupational, and personal well-being matter alongside medical diagnoses.6. Patients should help define success. Treatment goals should reflect what matters to each person—and evolve as their lives change.7. It's okay for clinicians to say 'I don't know.' Honesty, communication, and a clear plan can build greater patient trust.8. Managing a condition is an ongoing journey. Sleep and airway needs can change with age, hormones, lifestyle, and other health factors.9. Credentials don't always equal competency. Matching patients with clinicians who have the right expertise is essential to collaborative
- 3 weeks ago47 min
Ep.88, What If the Posture Problem Is Actually a Breathing Problem?, Dr. Kameron Smith, DC
What if forward head posture, chronic neck pain, morning headaches—or even the way someone sleeps—isn't simply a musculoskeletal problem? What if the body is compensating because it's trying to breathe?In this episode of the ASAP Pathway Podcast, Dr. Stacy sits down with chiropractor Dr. Kameron Smith to explore the connection between airway health, sleep, posture, pain and chiropractic care.Kameron's interest in airway began while performing Department of Transportation physicals and recognizing how many drivers were at risk for sleep apnea. Then it became personal. Despite being young, fit and not fitting the stereotypical sleep apnea patient, Kameron was experiencing fatigue, morning headaches and concerning nighttime oxygen readings.His own diagnosis changed the way he began looking at his patients—and eventually his own daughter.Together, Dr. Stacy and Kameron discuss how forward head posture, neck tension, mouth breathing and unusual sleep positions may sometimes be clues that the body is compensating to breathe.They also explore pediatric airway screening, craniofacial growth and development, and why simply correcting posture may miss the bigger question:Why is the body compensating in the first place? Most importantly, this conversation is a call for greater collaboration between dentists, chiropractors and other airway-focused providers.Because sometimes the posture isn't the problem. It's the clue.Dr. Kameron Smith WebsiteDr Kameron Smith LinkedInCHAPTERS: 📖00:00 Welcome to ASAP Pathway00:57 Meet Dr. Kameron Smith02:23 Kameron’s Journey Into Chiropractic03:54 The Patients Who Changed His Perspective04:17 DOT Physicals & Recognizing Sleep Apnea05:53 Kameron’s Own Sleep Apnea Story07:20 Getting Diagnosed & Starting CPAP07:45 Headaches, Neck Pain & Sleep08:31 Could Forward Head Posture Be an Airway Compensation?09:03 Recognizing the Same Signs in His Daughter12:00 Looking Beyond Symptoms in Children16:00 What Chiropractors Are—and Aren’t—Taught About Airway21:01 What Should Chiropractors Look For?24:00 Recognizing Airway Patterns in Adults & Children26:02 Function, Compensation & the Body28:00 What Sleep Position May Be Telling Us32:41 The Body Will Do What It Has to Do to Breathe34:16 What Does Future Collaboration Look Like?35:35 Why Kameron Wants Airway Screening in Preschools36:14 Building a Network of Airway-Aware Chiropractors37:19 What Could Pediatric Airway Screening Include?38:42 Early Intervention, Growth & Development40:27 A Call for Dentists & Chiropractors to Collaborate41:01 Three Random Questions With Kameron45:43 How to Connect With Dr. Kameron Smith47:01 Closing ThoughtsKEY LEARNINGS: 💡1. Posture may be compensation. Forward head posture and neck tension may sometimes be clues that the body is trying to maintain airflow.2. Look beyond the stereotype. Kameron was young and fit but still experienced sleep apnea, fatigue and morning headaches.3. Ask about sleep. Headaches, fatigue, neck pain and poor sleep may warrant further airway screening or referral.4. Personal experience changes perspective. Kameron’s own sleep apnea diagnosis changed how he began evaluating his patients.5. Children compensate too. Mouth breathing, forward head posture and unusual sleep positions deserve a closer look.6. Don’t just correct posture—ask why. A compensation may be serving a purpose, so understanding the driver matters.7. Sleep position can be a clue. The way someone positions their head or body during sleep may sometimes relate to breathing.8. Earlier screening creates opportunity. Recognizing airway concerns in childhood may allow providers to intervene during growth and development.9. Dentists and chiropractors should collaborate. Each profession sees different pieces of structure, posture, function, breathing and development.10. Build an airway-aware healthcare network. Better communication and referral between providers can help patients receive more comprehensive care.This is the ASAP Pathway Podcast, Airway, Sleep, and Pediatric Pathway, where sleep and airway health take center stage, one breath at a time. VISIT: ASAP Pathway Please subscribe, share, and tune in to future episodes of how we can help children live their best lives, one breath, and restful night's sleep at a time. Don't miss this exciting launch into a wor
- Sep 28, 20261h 16m
Ep.87, Your Body Was Built to Heal: PRP, Stem Cells & the Future of Regenerative Medicine, Dr. Matt Bayes, MD
What if some of the most powerful tools for healing are already inside your own body?In this episode of the ASAP Pathway Podcast, Dr. Stacy sits down with Dr. Matt Bayes, a primary care sports medicine physician, non-surgical orthopedist, and regenerative medicine doctor whose work focuses on orthobiologics—the use of a patient’s own cells to support healing and recovery. Dr. Bayes breaks down PRP (platelet-rich plasma), stem cells, bone marrow aspiration, adipose-derived cells, and ultrasound-guided regenerative procedures in language patients and healthcare providers can understand.He explains how platelets act as important messengers in the body’s healing process, how stem cells participate in tissue repair, and how these therapies may be used for certain ligament, tendon, cartilage, joint, and musculoskeletal injuries. But this conversation is also about knowing when regenerative medicine is—and isn’t—the right answer. Dr. Bayes and Dr. Stacy discuss the importance of diagnosis and case selection, including situations where surgery remains the appropriate treatment. The discussion also bridges medicine and dentistry as Dr. Stacy explores the growing role of regenerative approaches such as PRF in TMJ care and considers how her own experience with regenerative medicine is influencing the direction of her dental practice. And beneath all of it is a wonderfully simple message: Movement is medicine. Curiosity makes us better clinicians. Collaboration improves patient care. And sometimes the best way forward is to work with the healing capacity the body already possesses.Email Dr Matt Bayes: bayesmc32@me.comDr. Matt Bayes IGCHAPTERS:📚00:00 Welcome to ASAP Pathway01:01 Meet Dr. Matt Bayes02:35 From Pediatrics and the Navy to Sports Medicine05:07 Discovering PRP and Orthobiologics08:00 What Are PRP and Stem Cells?11:54 How Stem Cells Support Tissue Healing17:50 Dr. Stacy’s Personal Experience With Regenerative Medicine21:11 How Regenerative Medicine Has Evolved25:41 Who Is a Candidate for Orthobiologics?31:28 Movement Is Medicine35:20 Connecting Regenerative Medicine to TMJ Care43:36 Curiosity, Collaboration & Becoming a Better Clinician53:32 What Can PRP and Stem Cells Actually Treat?57:29 Why Listening to Patients Matters1:01:00 Teaching the Next Generation of Healthcare Providers1:07:17 How to Connect With Dr. Matt Bayes1:10:19 Three Random Questions With Dr. BayesLEARNINGS:🎓PRP uses the body’s own platelets to support the healing process. PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma. Blood is drawn and processed in a centrifuge to concentrate platelets, which Dr. Bayes describes as important coordinators of the body's healing response. Those platelets release signals involved in recruiting and activating cells that participate in tissue repair. Stem cells and PRP aren't the same thing—but they work within the same healing system. Dr. Bayes explains that stem cells are found throughout the body and participate in repairing and remodeling tissue. In his practice, mesenchymal stem cells are of particular interest because of their relationship to tissues including cartilage, ligament, tendon, muscle and bone.Regenerative medicine may occupy an important space between conservative care and surgery. For appropriately selected patients, orthobiologics may offer another option when traditional conservative treatments aren't enough but major surgery isn't yet necessary or desirable. As Dr. Bayes describes it, there can be an important therapeutic space between “nothing” and surgery.Regenerative medicine cannot—and should not—treat everyone. One of the strongest messages in the episode is the importance of case selection. A major tear, severe deformity, advanced structural problem or other condition may require surgery. Dr. Stacy shares how Dr. Bayes evaluated her son's knees, determined regenerative medicine wasn't appropriate, and referred him for the surgical care he needed.The diagnosis has to come before the treatment. Shoulder pain isn't automatically a rotator cuff problem, just as joint pain doesn't automatically mean someone needs an injection. Dr. Bayes emphasizes combining the history, physical examination and appropriate imaging—including ultrasound, X-ray or MRI—to establish the diagnosis before deciding whether an orthobiologic treatment is indicated.A patient's overall health influences healing. Age alone doesn't determine whether someone will respond well. Dr. Bayes discusses factors such as disease severity, body weight, smoking, alcohol use, metabolic health, sleep, activity and management of underlying medical conditions when considering expectat
- Sep 21, 20261h 8m
Ep.86, No More Dead Ends: Building the Collaborative Airway Healthcare Team, Dr. Pedro Cuartas
In this episode of the ASAP Pathway Podcast, Dr. Stacy sits down with Dr. Pedro Cuartas, founder of the Collaborative Airway Management Summit (CAMS) and Clinical Director of South Louisiana Dental Sleep Medicine, for a conversation about what may be one of the biggest missing pieces in airway healthcare: collaboration.With so many patients still undiagnosed, how do we actually make a meaningful dent?The answer, he believes, isn't simply more education. Knowledge without implementation doesn't change patient care.Dr. Stacy and Pedro discuss why physicians, dentists, ENTs, nurse practitioners, PAs, sleep specialists and other healthcare providers need practical systems for screening, referral, treatment and—perhaps most importantly—communication.They also explore why sleep apnea treatment doesn't have to be an either/or decision. CPAP, oral appliance therapy, Inspire, weight management, positional therapy, lifestyle changes and other approaches may sometimes work together as combination therapy, creating a treatment plan built around the individual patient rather than forcing the patient into a single treatment box.The conversation expands into women and children who may be missed by traditional sleep apnea metrics, hormonal changes and midlife sleep, pediatric airway intervention, weight and craniofacial risk factors, and the importance of looking backward in a patient's story to understand how they arrived at their current health.Pedro also shares the vision behind CAMS: bringing healthcare providers from different disciplines into the same room, allowing them to learn from one another, understand each other's treatment options and ultimately return home equipped to build collaborative airway “ecosystems” in their own communities.Because the goal isn't simply to diagnose sleep apnea.It's to make sure the patient has somewhere to go next.The goal isn’t for one profession to “own” the airway. The goal is to build an ecosystem around the patient where providers communicate. Because when healthcare truly becomes collaborative, the dead ends no longer have to exist.CAMS FB PageCAMS Summit RegistrationDr Pedro Cuartas LinkedInDr Pedro Cuartas’ PracticeCHAPTERS: 📖00:00 Welcome to ASAP Pathway00:50 Meet Dr. Pedro Cuartas03:42 How Pedro Found Dental Sleep Medicine05:07 “What Did You Do to My Patient?”07:10 Why Dental School Historically Missed Airway & Sleep09:00 The 80% Undiagnosed Problem10:00 Knowledge Without Implementation Isn't Enough11:00 The Vision Behind the CAMS Summit14:00 Giving Healthcare Providers a “Now What?”17:00 Why Sleep & Airway Care Still Falls Through the Cracks20:00 Building CAMS: Collaboration Over Competition23:17 Expanding Airway Collaboration Into Midlife Health27:12 Hormones, Sleep & Pedro's Unexpected Midlife Story31:00 Why Every Specialty Belongs in the Airway Conversation40:00 Understanding the Pain Points of Medical Providers44:00 Creating Better Referral & Treatment Pathways47:00 Building Local Airway Healthcare Ecosystems49:20 Why Combination Therapy Matters50:30 A Real Patient Example: CPAP + Oral Appliance + Weight Management52:30 Going Back in the “Airway Time Machine”55:00 Patients May Have to Help Connect Their Providers56:00 Why Continuity of Care Matters58:00 Communication Can Build Better Healthcare Relationships1:01:00 Be Your Own Advocate—Without Becoming the Doctor1:04:02 Who Should Attend CAMS?1:05:42 Three Random Questions With Pedro1:08:07 Closing ThoughtsLEARNINGS: 💡Knowledge needs implementation. Education only changes care when providers know how to screen, refer, treat, and follow up.Dentistry belongs in the airway conversation. Dentists are uniquely positioned to recognize signs of sleep-disordered breathing and help connect patients to care.No more dead ends. A diagnosis should lead to a clear next step—not leave patients wondering where to go or what to do.Sleep treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all. CPAP, oral appliances, Inspire, weight management, positional therapy, and other options can sometimes be used together.Collaboration improves c
- Sep 7, 20261h 15m
Ep.85, The Least We Can Do: Why Every Dentist Should Be Screening for Sleep, Crystal May
In this episode of the ASAP Pathway Podcast, Dr. Stacy sits down with dental sleep medicine expert Crystal May, Vice President of Dental Sleep Medicine at Happy Sleep, for a wide-ranging conversation about why sleep screening needs to become a routine part of healthcare—and why dentistry may be one of the best places to start.Crystal shares her 20-year journey through dentistry, medical billing, practice ownership, sleep medicine, technology, and implementation. She also shares something much more personal: despite being a young, fit woman who didn’t fit the stereotypical picture of a sleep apnea patient, Crystal was eventually diagnosed with a sleep-related breathing disorder after years of nearly daily headaches. For dental professionals, the message is refreshingly simple: you do not need to build an entire dental sleep medicine program to make a difference. Start by screening. Adding just a few questions to the medical history may identify patients who have been suffering silently for years. They also explore sleep quantity versus sleep quality, hormones and metabolism, simple sleep-hygiene strategies, night-to-night variability in testing, oral appliance therapy, and Crystal’s current work to bridge the longstanding divide between medicine and dentistry.Because better sleep isn't simply about getting through the night. It is about giving the body and brain the opportunity to heal, regulate, recover—and thrive.Crystal May LinkedInHappy Health LinkedInEmail Crystal May: Crystal@oralowl.comCHAPTERS: 📚00:00 Welcome to ASAP Pathway with Crystal May02:44 Crystal’s 20-Year Journey Into Dental Sleep Medicine05:33 The Sleep Course That Changed Everything06:24 Why Sleep Medicine Is So Difficult to Implement09:44 The Real Problem: Implementation10:36 Why Every Dentist Should Be Screening for Sleep14:16 Sleep Screening Doesn't Have to Be Complicated18:32 Three Questions Dentists Can Start Asking Monday20:58 Crystal’s Daily Headaches—and Her Sleep Apnea Diagnosis23:42 Why “Mild” Sleep Apnea Doesn't Mean Mild Symptoms29:25 How Oral Appliance Therapy Changed Crystal’s Life33:21 Sleep Isn't Wasted Time: Why Quality Sleep Matters37:22 Beyond AHI: RDI, RERAs and Sleep Disorders in Women45:04 Why an Old Negative Sleep Test May Not Tell Today's Story47:53 Sleep Hygiene: Simple Ways to Improve Your Sleep56:25 Bridging Medicine and Dentistry with Happy Sleep59:48 The Problem With One-Night Sleep Testing1:04:06 How Physicians, Dentists and Patients Can Get Involved1:08:04 The Final Call to Action: Just Start Screening1:10:23 Dawn or Dusk? Three Fun Questions with CrystalLearnings: 🎓Sleep screening should become a routine part of dentistry. Dentists and hygienists are uniquely positioned to identify potential sleep problems because they see patients regularly, examine the craniofacial and oral structures, and already collect detailed health histories. Screening does not require building an entire dental sleep medicine practice.Start with three simple questions: tiredness, snoring and headaches. Crystal recommends daytime tiredness, snoring and headaches as easy conversation starters. These common symptoms can help dental teams identify patients who may benefit from further sleep evaluation.Stop normalizing exhaustion. Many people assume being tired, relying on caffeine, waking unrefreshed or living with frequent headaches is simply part of being busy. Crystal's own experience demonstrates how symptoms can become someone's “normal” even when an underlying sleep disorder is contributing to them.Sleep apnea doesn't have a “look.” Crystal did not fit the stereotype of the older, overweight male with sleep apnea. The conversation emphasizes that women, younger people, fit individuals and even children can experience sleep-related breathing disorders—which is why screening should not be based on appearance alone.“Mild” sleep apnea doesn't necessarily mean mild symptoms. A diagnostic category doesn't always reflect how significantly disrupted breathing is affecting someone's quality of life. Patients with so-called mild disease may still experience substantial fatigue, headaches, fragmented sleep and other symptoms.AHI may not tell the whole story—especially in women. Crystal explains that her AHI alone would have fallen within normal limits, while her RDI was in the 16s. Looking at RERAs and breathing disturbances that fragment sleep helped identify what AHI alone would have missed. After treatment, her RDI dropped to approximately two and her
- Aug 31, 20261h 3m
Ep.84, When 51 Gets Weird: Hormones, Sleep & the Midlife Wake-Up Call, ASAP Pathway Founders
Season Six of the ASAP Pathway Podcast starts with the three ASAP Pathway co-founders together at the table: Drs. Stacy, Tracy, and Michelle—and this one gets personal. What actually happens to women’s sleep when hormones begin changing? Why does obstructive sleep apnea become much more prevalent in women around midlife? Why can women feel exhausted, foggy, anxious, achy, restless and simply say, “I don’t feel like myself anymore”—yet still have a sleep study that doesn’t look particularly alarming? And what do estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, jaw pain, clenching, TMD, airway anatomy and even heart health have to do with one another? The founders dive into the changing conversation around perimenopause and menopause, including why traditional sleep apnea screening may fail to identify many women. They discuss the limitations of relying only on oxygen desaturations and AHI, and explain RERAs—respiratory effort-related arousals—events that may repeatedly fragment sleep without necessarily meeting the traditional definition of apnea.The conversation also looks forward: new ASAP Pathway education, expanded MARPE training, restorative and clear-aligner planning, mentorship, Immersion, community support and where the founders see the education evolving next. It’s funny, candid, occasionally vulnerable and full of the kind of conversation that happens when three friends, clinicians and founders start connecting the dots.Because sometimes the symptom isn’t the diagnosis—and sometimes “I just don’t feel right” deserves a much deeper look.Dr Tracey Nguyen IGDr Michelle Weddle IGDr Stacy Becker IGCHAPTERS: 📚00:00 Season 6 Begins With the ASAP Founders01:39 Women, Sleep & the Midlife Health Shift03:38 Why Sleep Apnea Changes for Women After 4005:09 Hormones, Menopause & Women’s Health07:54 Are Women Being Treated for Symptoms Instead of Causes?09:15 Dr. Stacy Shares Her Personal Heart Health Journey12:41 Why We Have to Read Research Differently14:38 Hormone Replacement Therapy & the Changing Conversation16:31 Progesterone, Cortisol & Sleep17:04 Why Traditional Sleep Apnea Testing Can Miss Women20:41 What Are RERAs?23:51 Perimenopause, TMD & Poor Sleep24:39 Estrogen, Joint Pain & the TMJ25:40 When Anatomy Becomes a Bigger Risk Factor28:32 What Does a Constricted Bite Look Like?31:20 The TMD “Discovery Phase”32:05 Weaners vs. Phase Two TMD Treatment33:53 Proper Oral Rest Posture & Clenching37:45 Why Sleep and Function Still Matter40:32 Why Hormones Belong in Airway Screening42:17 What’s Coming Next From ASAP Pathway43:19 Expanded MARPE Hands-On Training45:50 Planning the Final Result Before You Start47:45 How ASAP Pathway Education Is Evolving49:17 What Is ASAP Immersion?53:01 Three Random Questions With the Founders1:02:08 Closing ThoughtsLEARNINGS: 🎓Women may experience sleep-disordered breathing differently than men. Traditional screening tools and scoring systems often emphasize characteristics more commonly associated with male obstructive sleep apnea, including oxygen desaturation and certain demographic risk factors. The founders discuss why that can leave symptomatic women unidentified.Hormonal changes may help explain why sleep problems increase around midlife. The episode discusses the dramatic hormonal transition occurring during the perimenopausal and menopausal years and how those changes may affect sleep, airway stability, mood, pain and overall health.A normal-looking AHI does not necessarily mean someone is sleeping well. Women may experience repeated breathing-related arousals without dramatic oxygen drops. Looking only at the apnea-hypopnea index can miss important sleep fragmentation.RERAs matter. A respiratory effort-related arousal is a breathing-related event that causes the brain to arouse from sleep without necessarily meeting the traditional criteria for apnea or hypopnea. Repeated arousals can severely affect sleep quality even when oxygen levels appear relatively stable.TMD and sleep should often be evaluated together. When a woman presents with jaw pain, clenching, grinding or TMD—particularly during a period of hormonal change—the founders encourage clinicians to ask about sleep rather than treating the jaw as an isolated problem.Hormonal transitions can change how much compensation the body can tolerate. A bite or airway anatomy that caused few notic
- Jul 13, 20261h 1m
Ep.83, Why Dentists Should Collaborate with Physical Therapists, Dr. Jenny Hobson
What happens when dentistry and physical therapy stop working separately? In this episode of ASAP Pathway: The Podcast, Dr. Stacy Becker welcomes airway-focused physical therapist Dr. Jenny Hobson for an eye-opening discussion about the powerful relationship between posture, breathing, TMJ, craniofacial development, and airway health. Dr. Hobson shares her unique journey training under legendary TMJ expert Dr. Mariano Rocabado and explains why successful airway treatment often requires much more than orthodontics, surgery, or oral appliances alone. Together they explore how mouth breathing, forward head posture, dysfunctional swallowing, poor body mechanics, and altered breathing patterns can influence everything from chronic pain and TMJ disorders to sleep quality and long-term health.Topics include:Why dentists and physical therapists need to collaborateHow posture changes occlusion and jaw functionWhy some patients still can't breathe through their nose after surgeryThe role of breathing retraining and functional rehabilitationMouth breathing, CO₂ tolerance, and Buteyko breathingWhy tongue posture and negative pressure matterPediatric airway development and parent involvementThe importance of gait, movement, diaphragm function, and whole-body alignmentPractical strategies clinicians can immediately apply with patientsIf you've ever wondered why some patients continue to struggle despite excellent dental treatment or why airway medicine requires a whole-body approach—this episode is a must-listen.To get in touch with Dr. Jenny Hobson:Dr. Jenny Hobson: IGDr. Jenny Hobson: FBDr. Jenny Hobson: YouTubeDr. Jenny Hobson: LinkedInDr. Jenny Hobson: Link TreeSchedule FREE 15 min Consult with Dr. Jenny HobsonSchedule 25 min Virtual Consult with Dr. Jenny HobsonSchedule 50 min Virtual Consult with Dr. Jenny HobsonDr. Jenny Hobson's Podcast with Mariano Rocabado, PT (The Breathing Lab - Episode #28 | Meet the Pioneers of Craniofacial Therapy)Dr. Jenny Hobson's Podcast: The Breathing Lab - Episode #10 | My Mentor and TMJ ExpertCHAPTERS: 📖00:00 Welcome to ASAP Pathway01:25 Meet Dr. Jenny Hobson03:30 Training with Dr. Mariano Rocabado06:20 Why Neck Position Changes Your Bite08:10 Breaking Down Healthcare Silos 10:15 The Whole-Body Connection to Airway Health12:00 Why Some Patients Can't Breathe After Nasal Surgery15:15 Retraining the Nose After Surgery18:15 Buteyko Breathing & Air Hunger Explained21:35 How PTs Work with Dentists and Orthodontists25:00 TMJ, Clenching & Airway Compensation28:30 Why Walking, Posture & Movement Matter33:45 Forward Head Posture and Airway Development37:45 The Uplocker, Tongue Posture & Functional Therapy45:40 Parents Are the Most Important Part of Treatment50:00 Teaching the Correct Swallow52:00 Airway Education for Healthcare Professionals55:30 Three Fun Questions with Dr. Jenny HobsonLearnings: 💡Airway health requires a team approach. Dentists, physical therapists, ENTs, speech therapists, myofunctional therapists, and physicians all bring unique expertise that improves patient outcomes.Posture directly affects jaw position. Forward head posture changes occlusion, increases joint loading, and can contribute to TMJ dysfunction and chronic pain.Breathing is a learned function. Many patients continue mouth breathing even after surgery because they never relearn how to use their nose effectively.Structure and function are equally important. Opening the airway anatomi
- Jun 29, 20261h 18m
Ep.82,The Oral Physician: Redefining the Role of Dentistry, Dr. Kimberly Santiago
What if Dentists are uniquely positioned to identify chronic disease before symptoms ever appear? In this conversation, Dr. Stacy Becker welcomes fellow ASAP Pathway member, educator and airway pioneer Dr. Kimberly Santiago for a deep dive into the evolving role of dentistry in airway health, craniofacial development, sleep medicine, and whole-body wellness.From breastfeeding struggles and tongue-tie misconceptions to cranial development, TMJ health, pediatric airway intervention, and the future of diagnostic technology, this episode challenges traditional silos in healthcare and asks an important question: What if dentistry has always been medicine — we just forgot?Dr. Santiago shares her journey from traditional restorative dentistry to becoming a craniofacial respiratory orthopedist focused on optimizing nasal breathing, jaw development, and sleep quality beginning as early as infancy — and even before birth. Together, Drs. Becker and Santiago discuss:Why adult sleep apnea often begins in childhoodThe difference between making room for teeth and making room for breathingWhy early intervention may protect neurocognitive developmentThe relationship between oral health and cardiovascular diseaseHow dentists and hygienists can become frontline healthcare screenersWhy anatomy alone is not enough and function matters just as muchThe emerging technologies helping clinicians better understand nasal physiology and airway functionWhy comprehensive treatment planning requires collaboration across disciplinesThis conversation isn't simply about dentistry. It's about changing the trajectory of health before disease ever has the chance to take hold.Dr. Kimberly Santiago WebsiteDr. Santiago IGDr. Santiago FBTIkTok: @airsyncwellnessEmail: Drkimblery@airsyncwellness.comCHAPTERS 📖00:00 Introduction to Dr. Kimberly Santiago02:15 Buying a Practice at 25 and Building a Vision05:10 From General Dentistry to Airway Medicine08:45 Breastfeeding Challenges That Changed Everything12:30 Why Personal Experiences Drive Clinical Passion16:00 Dentistry's Role in Whole Body Health18:20 Structure, Function, and Behavior: A New Diagnostic Model21:15 Looking Beyond Teeth: Comprehensive Airway Evaluations24:00 Anatomy vs Physiology in Airway Treatment27:00 The Wellness Bus and New Brain Technologies 31:00 Neuroplasticity, ADHD, and Brain Health34:00 Evidence-Based Medicine vs Clinical Experience37:15 Why Hygienists Are Saving Lives40:00 Oral Bacteria, Inflammation, and Cardiovascular Disease43:00 Protecting the Brain Through Craniofacial Growth45:30 Why Speed of Expansion Matters50:00 Expansion for Teeth vs Expansion for Breathing53:00 Why Nasal Breathing Grows the Face56:00 Looking for Root Causes Instead of Symptoms58:00 Ozone Therapy, Tonsils, and Preserving Anatomy01:03:00 Educating Communities and Raising Awareness01:08:00 Sleep Apnea Is a Disease, Not a Syndrome01:12:00 The Future of Comprehensive Dentistry01:17:00 Final Thoughts and TakeawaysKEY LEARNINGS 💡Dentistry is much bigger than teeth. The mouth is connected to cardiovascular health, sleep, inflammation, neurological function, and systemic disease.Adult sleep apnea often begins decades earlier. Many adult airway problems originate during infancy and childhood growth and development.Structure and function must be evaluated together. A beautiful CBCT means very little if physiology and breathing function are poor.Not all expansion is the same. Creating room for teeth and creating room for breathing are not necessarily the same treatment goal.Nasal breathing is a developmental force. The tongue, nasal breathing, and chewing all influence facial growth and craniofacial development.Earlier intervention often requires less intervention. Helping children at ages two and three may reduce the need for more aggressive therapies later.Dentists are frontline healthcare providers. The dental office may identify hypertension, inflammation, sleep disorders, reflux, airway issues, and cardiovascular risk before anyone else does.Hygienists are essential to healthcare screening. A dentist cannot build an oral-systemic program without a hygiene team that understands the mission.Clinical experience matters alongside literature. Today's observations often become tomorrow's research
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Dr. Sara Szal explores holistic health solutions through conversations with experts and patients seeking mind, body, and soul healing.
About ASAP Pathway: THE PODCAST
In a world where discussions about sleep and airway issues dominate the dental landscape, the journey to understanding and addressing these concerns has evolved drastically. Join us as we dive into the remarkable transformation of dental care over the last decade, from overlooking airway and sleep health to making it a core aspect of treatment planning. Join us as we uncover the journey of understanding and addressing sleep and airway concerns in children. Whether you're a dedicated Dentist seeking comprehensive guidance, a health care provider wanting to collaborate and Find a Provider to work with, or a concerned Parent evaluating your child's well-being, our podcast sheds light on a clear pathway forward.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Podzilla's ASAP Pathway: THE PODCAST daily summary?
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of ASAP Pathway: THE PODCAST as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
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When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
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No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by Dr. Stacy Becker, DDS.
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How often does ASAP Pathway: THE PODCAST release new episodes?
ASAP Pathway: THE PODCAST publishes biweekly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
What topics does ASAP Pathway: THE PODCAST cover?
ASAP Pathway: THE PODCAST covers topics including Education, Medicine, Fitness, Health & Fitness. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
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