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. To take the next step, become a member of our community or access valuable resources for your child's evaluation.Visit our website now and be a part of the positive change!https://asappathway.com/
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- 2 weeks ago1h 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
- 3 weeks ago1h 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
- Jun 16, 20261h 8m
Ep.81, Body Literacy: Teaching Kids to Understand Their Health, Brooke Quinn, RPSGT, MSc
What if many of the struggles we see in children—attention issues, behavioral challenges, learning difficulties, emotional regulation problems, and even poor academic performance—are actually symptoms of disrupted sleep and airway dysfunction?In this fascinating episode, Dr. Stacy Becker sits down with sleep scientist and educator Brooke Quinn, RPSGT, MSc, founder of Quinnspired and creator of the children's book series The Adventures of Watson and Sherlock.Brooke shares her unique journey from sleep technician to interdisciplinary sleep scientist and discusses why so many health conversations happen too late—after years of symptoms have already impacted a child's development.Together, Dr. Becker and Brooke explore:• The connection between sleep, airway development, and neurocognitive growth• Why adult sleep apnea often begins in childhood• The overlooked role of craniofacial development• ADHD, learning challenges, and sleep-disordered breathing• Why schools may be one of the most important places for sleep education• How dentists can help identify children at risk• The concept of "body literacy" and empowering children to understand their own health• The importance of moving healthcare conversations upstreamThis episode is a powerful discussion about prevention, education, and changing the trajectory of children's health before symptoms become lifelong problems.Brooke Quinn LinktreeBrooke's SubstackQuinnspired WebsiteBrooke's InstagramBrooke's LinkedInTikTok: @sleepbyquinnAmerican Dental Association's "Children's Airways" BrochureReferenced MARPE Expansion Article "RCT" Showing Improvement in Sleep DIsordered Breathing ParametersCHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to Brooke Quinn01:23 What Is a Registered Polysomnographic Technologist?03:30 Seeing Sleep Through Physiological Data06:50 How Brooke Fell in Love with Sleep Medicine09:05 Why Craniofacial Development Matters11:15 Adult Sleep Apnea Begins in Childhood14:45 The Developmental Airway Trajectory17:05 Why Early Intervention Matters19:00 The College Student Airway Story22:00 Taking Sleep Education Into Schools25:00 The Missing Link Between Sleep and Learning29:00 Teachers, IEPs, and Sleep-Deprived Children33:00 Building Sleep Awareness for Families36:00 ADHD, Executive Function, and Sleep41:00 The Role of Dentists in Airway Screening45:00 New Research Supporting Maxillary Expansion49:00 The Cost of "Watchful Waiting"53:00 Body Literacy and Children's Health Education57:00 Mold, Congestion, and Environmental Health01:02:00 Final Thoughts and Future VisionKEY LEARNINGSAdult sleep apnea often starts decades before diagnosis.The anatomy and developmental patterns seen in adults frequently begin during childhood.Sleep is not passive.Sleep drives memory consolidation, growth hormone release, neurological development, emotional regulation, and physical recovery.Craniofacial development influences airway health.The structure of the jaws and face can significantly impact breathing and sleep quality throughout life.Children rarely "grow out of" airway problems.Many children simply compensate until symptoms worsen later in life. Sleep-disordered breathing can mimic ADHD.Poor sleep may contribute to attention issues, impulsivity, emotional dysregulation, and learning challenges.Teachers may be observing sleep problems every day.Classroom behavior often reflects physiological issues that extend beyond academics.Early intervention creat
- May 31, 20261h 4m
Ep.80, Bedlessness: The Overlooked Sleep Crisis Affecting Thousands of Children, Luke Mikelson
What if one of the biggest threats to a child's health, development, and success wasn't a medical condition—but simply not having a bed? In this powerful episode of ASAP Pathway, Dr. Stacy Becker sits down with Luke Mickelson, founder of Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP), a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that no child sleeps on the floor in their town.What began as a single bunk bed built in Luke's garage for a local child has grown into a global movement with more than 400 chapters, nearly 500,000 beds delivered, and a mission that is transforming communities across the United States and beyond. Luke shares the emotional story that launched Sleep in Heavenly Peace, the heartbreaking reality of childhood bedlessness, and why something as simple as a bed can profoundly impact a child's physical health, emotional wellbeing, education, confidence, and future. The conversation also explores purpose, service, leadership, entrepreneurship, founder syndrome, and how acting on small moments can lead to extraordinary change. Whether you're a healthcare provider, educator, parent, business leader, or simply someone looking for hope and inspiration, this episode is a powerful reminder that one person truly can make a difference. To learn more or get involved, visit shpbeds.orgTo learn more about Luke Mikelson see below ⬇️ FB Luke Mikelson SHPLinkedIn Luke MikelsonIG Luke MikelsonYOUTUBE ▶️ Luke MikelsonTikTok Luke MikelsonLuke Mikelson's WebsiteCHAPTERS: 📖00:00 – Introduction to Luke Mickelson & Sleep in Heavenly Peace01:25 – From Idaho Farm Kid to Global Nonprofit Founder06:01 – Growing Up with a Single Mother and Learning Service08:31 – Success, Fulfillment, and a Search for Purpose10:40 – The Meeting That Changed Everything12:37 – Discovering Children Sleeping on the Floor13:29 – Building the First Bunk Bed with Boy Scouts16:01 – The Tiny Moment That Sparked a Movement19:44 – Meeting Haley: A Six-Year-Old Who Never Had a Bed22:22 – Why a Bed Is About More Than Sleep29:17 – The Shocking Reality of Child Bedlessness in America33:21 – How One Facebook Post Became 400+ Chapters Worldwide39:15 – Mission Creep and Staying Focused as a Nonprofit42:25 – Why Service Improves Mental Health and Perspective45:14 – Tiny Moments, Purpose, and Finding Your Passion49:04 – How to Volunteer, Donate, or Start a Chapter53:04 – Why Educators Should Care About Bedlessness and Sleep55:28 – Founder Syndrome and Leadership Evolution01:00:05 – Building Legacy Beyond Yourself01:02:48 – What 10-Year-Old Luke Would Be Proud OfKey Learnings 💡 Child bedlessness is a widespread but largely invisible problem. Thousands of children across America sleep on floors, couches, air mattresses, or piles of clothing every night.A bed is more than furniture. It impacts sleep quality, emotional wellbeing, self-esteem, school performance, and overall health.Small acts can create extraordinary change. Sleep in Heavenly Peace began with one bunk bed built in a garage. Service often reveals purpose. Luke's mission emerged not from a strategic plan but from acting on a small prompting to help.Communities are capable of solving local problems. The most sustainable solutions happen when neighbors help neighbors. Many children experiencing bedlessness are not homeless. They may have housing but still lack a safe and comfortable place to sleep. Sleep affects every aspect of childhood development. A child who sleeps poorly may struggle academically, emotionally, socially, and physically.Purpose is often discovered through action. People rarely find their passion by thinking about it—they find it by doing. Tiny moments matter. Small impressions, nudges, and opportunities can become life-changing missions when acted upon. Mission creep can destroy great organizations. Successful nonprofits and businesses must stay focused on their core mis
- May 18, 20261h 22m
Ep.79, The Hidden Connection Between Smell, Sleep & Neurodegeneration, Dr. Paule Valery Joseph
What if your sense of smell could predict brain health years before symptoms appear? In this fascinating episode of ASAP Pathway the Podcast, Dr. Stacy Becker sits down with neuroscientist and sensory science expert Dr. Paule Valery Joseph to explore the powerful — and often overlooked — role of smell, taste, and chemesthesis in human health.From Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease to sleep-disordered breathing, childhood mouth breathing, long COVID, and emotional memory, this conversation uncovers how deeply connected our olfactory system is to neurological health, cognition, metabolism, and quality of life. Dr. Joseph explains why smell loss may be one of the earliest warning signs of neurodegenerative disease, how COVID changed the medical conversation around smell and taste, and why clinicians should begin treating smell as a vital sign.The discussion also dives into:Mouth breathing and nasal disuse in childrenSleep apnea and olfactory dysfunctionSmell training and neuroplasticityThe emotional power of scent and memoryWhy dentists may be key players in early detectionThe hidden consequences of congenital anosmiaThis episode is a powerful reminder that the body does not function in silos — and that the nose may hold far more information about our health than we ever realized.Instagram: @dr_paulejosephX/Twitter: @Dr_PaulevjLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulevjoseph/Facebook: @DrPVJosephThreads: @dr_paulejosephBluesky: @drpaulejoseph.bsky.socialTikTok: @drpaulevjYouTube: @drpaulevaleryjosephWebsite: paulejoseph.bioChapters 📖00:00 – Introduction to Dr. Polly Valerie Joseph02:23 – What Is Chemesthesis?04:24 – How Smell & Taste Affect Metabolic and Brain Health07:51 – The Story That Revealed Smell as a Warning Sign09:18 – Why Doctors Rarely Test Cranial Nerve One12:14 – When Smell Loss Should Concern You14:13 – Why Smell Should Be Considered a Vital Sign16:42 – The Connection Between Smell & Neurodegenerative Disease20:09 – Early Warning Signs of Smell Dysfunction22:01 – COVID, Mouth Breathing & Loss of Smell23:43 – Cognitive Effects of Smell Loss26:15 – The Importance of Cooking, Flavor & Sensory Engagement27:20 – Post-COVID Smell Recovery Clinics & Smell Training28:34 – Olfactory Training and Neuroplasticity32:10 – Why Most People Would Give Up Their Sense of Smell33:40 – Smell, Memory & Emotional Connection35:33 – Mouth Breathing, Kids & Long-Term Brain Development39:50 – Sleep Apnea, CPAP & Olfactory Function48:10 – Sleep, Smell & Brain Activity52:21 – Smell Loss as an Early Sign of Neurodegeneration55:00 – Questions Dentists Should Start Asking Patients59:56 – The Body as an Interconnected System01:02:24 – Dr. Joseph’s Upcoming Book “Common Sense”01:05:29 – The Smell & Taste Association of North America01:06:13 – Congenital Anosmia Explained01:08:06 – Ben & Jerry’s and the Science of Flavor Texture01:11:54 – Final Thoughts & Future CollaborationLearnings 📚Smell is directly connected to the limbic system, linking scent to memory and emotion.Loss of smell may appear 10–15 years before obvious signs of neurodegenerative disease.Smell dysfunction can affect cognition, nutrition, emotional health, and quality of life.COVID highlighted how critical smell and taste are to everyday human functioning.Mouth breathing and poor nasal function in children may have broader neurological implications than previously understood.Sleep-disordered breathing and intermittent hypoxia may impact olfactory processing and brain health.Smell training can help stimulate neuroplasticity and recovery after smell loss.Dentists may play an important role in identifying smell dysfunction during routine evaluations.Congenital anosmia affects more than flavor perception — it may also influence safety, social connection, and emo
- May 12, 20261h 12m
Ep.78, Beautiful Faces, Better Breathing, Bigger Questions, Dr. Jeff Rouse
In this episode of ASAP Pathway, hosts Dr. Stacy and Dr. Tracey sit down with prosthodontist, educator, author, and disruptor Dr. Jeff Rouse for a powerful conversation about where dentistry is headed. Dr. Rouse shares how a prosthodontist became deeply involved in airway, sleep, bruxism, growth, and craniofacial development—not because it was trendy, but because the traditional explanations no longer made sense.His journey began with questions about bruxism, occlusion, broken restorations, and sleep, and eventually became deeply personal when he recognized the missed signs in his own son, Jake. Together, they discuss why dentistry may need to stop asking permission to develop healthier anatomy, why “airway orthodontics” might not be the best label, and why the real goal may simply be normalizing anatomy: better faces, broader arches, better bites, and better long-term health.This episode challenges old assumptions around orthodontics, extractions, sleep testing, literature interpretation, and interdisciplinary care. It is also a call for dentists to think more critically, read the science more carefully, and step into their role in shaping the future of airway and whole-health dentistry.Dr Jeff Rouse IgDr Jeff Rouse FB⏱ Chapters 00:00 — Welcome to ASAP Pathway00:51 — Introducing Dr. Jeff Rouse02:42 — What is a prosthodontist?05:06 — Why a restorative dentist belongs in the airway conversation08:04 — Questioning traditional occlusion and bruxism teaching10:17 — What the literature really says about sleep bruxism11:52 — “Find your Jake”: when airway becomes personal15:08 — Parenting, airway, and when “enough is enough”17:41 — Why perfect outcomes are not always possible19:00 — The danger of overpromising airway results21:26 — Why changing anatomy still matters22:31 — UPPP, CPAP, and what anatomy changes teach us25:56 — Why AHI is not the only marker that matters27:02 — Inspire, circumferential collapse, and the role of arch width30:05 — Why anatomy-based treatment affects airway31:03 — Dr. Tracey on early expansion and serial extractions33:22 — Should we stop saying “airway orthodontics”?35:20 — Facial aesthetics, arch form, and healthier development38:39 — Clear aligners and the future of early orthodontics42:02 — The general dentist’s role in early intervention43:18 — Challenging the AAO position on airway46:09 — Why dentists need better access to literature48:37 — Making the AAO position less relevant in daily practice50:50 — Why old foundational literature needs re-examination55:34 — Teaching dentists how to read the literature58:13 — Dr. Rouse’s upcoming Global Diagnosis textbook59:55 — Adding maxillary hypoplasia as a diagnostic question01:01:19 — Treatment planning airway cases in the new textbook01:02:43 — Upcoming education with Rouse, Robbins, and Kinzer01:04:08 — Rapid-fire questions: coffee, thermostat, and dancing01:10:20 — Final thoughts and ASAP Pathway shoutout🧠 Key LearningsAirway is not just for “sleep dentists.”Every area of dentistry can reveal airway-related clues, including prosthodontics, periodontics, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, and restorative care.Bruxism is more complex than traditional occlusion teaching suggests.Dr. Rouse explains that sleep bruxism is not simply about massive nighttime forces or constant grinding.Personal experience can change clinical perspective.Recognizing missed airway signs in his son, Jake, deeply shaped Dr. Rouse’s airway journey.Early intervention can improve the future, even if it does not create perfection.The goal is not always to “fix everything,” but to remove obstacles and create a better biological starting point.Overpromising airway outcomes hurts credibility.Dentistry must avoid claiming that one device or one intervention will eliminate every issue.Changing anatomy matters.Better anatomy can support better breathing, better function, better facial development, and better long-term health.AHI should not be the only measure of success.Quality of life, anatomy, breathing, and overall health markers matter too.The phrase “airway orthodontics” may create unnecessary resistance.</b
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. To take the next step, become a member of our community or access valuable resources for your child's evaluation.Visit our website now and be a part of the positive change!https://asappathway.com/
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