Presented by: Dr. Seema Agarwal, DDS, BSc, CYT

Introduction to the Menopause Airway

A Continuing Education Course for Dental Hygienists

CE Hours: 1.5

Online Date:

Wednesday, October 7th, 2026 - 7:00 PM - 8:30PM EST

Course Description:

This introductory course equips dental hygienists to recognize the connection between menopause and airway health, and to confidently identify early warning signs of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) during routine hygiene visits. Grounded in peer-reviewed research, the course translates the physiology of menopause-related airway change into practical chairside screening skills and patient conversations.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Define obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and distinguish it from central sleep apnea.

• Explain how menopause-related hormonal and physiological changes — visceral fat gain and tongue fat

deposition — affect the airway.

• Describe the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) and its severity classification (normal, mild, moderate, severe).

• Identify the six major risk factors and six major symptoms of OSA relevant to chairside screening.

• Recognize oral indicators of airway compromise — including scalloped tongue, tooth wear, and bruxism

patterns — during a routine hygiene assessment.

• Perform a Mallampati score assessment as a clinical exam tool for visualizing and grading the airway.

• Describe the physiological relationship between bruxism, GERD, and airway obstruction (the “airway

triangle”).

• Incorporate at least three airway-screening questions into patient intake or hygiene visits.

• Apply evidence-based lifestyle and self-care strategies — for yourself as you age and for your patients — to

help reduce OSA risk.

• Empower patients to bring up and discuss suspected OSA with their primary care provider