31: Why Women's Sleep Apnea Goes Undiagnosed with Dr. Kristen Geist, DDS

Dr. Kristen Geist went to six doctors before anyone thought to check her sleep. Today she's an airway-focused dentist specializing in sleep apnea therapies and adult tongue-tie releases, and she joins Toni-Ann for a conversation every clinician and every exhausted woman needs to hear. In this episode, Toni-Ann and Dr. Geist cover: Why women with sleep apnea rarely present with the classic symptoms and how that leads to years of being dismissed The difference between UARS and obstructive sleep apnea, and why a "normal" home sleep test doesn't mean you're fine AHI vs. RDI: what providers need to understand when a patient's sleep test comes back borderline Soft palate laser treatment (LightScalpel): what it is, who's a candidate, and why it's worth knowing about Why tongue tie releases without myofunctional therapy prep are almost always a waste of time Adult palatal expansion (MARPE) and Dr. Geist's own ongoing treatment journey How to respond when a patient asks why their previous provider missed something Whether you're an SLP, myofunctional therapist, or airway-focused provider, this episode gives you language and confidence for the hard conversations. And if you're a woman who keeps being told you're fine when you know something's wrong, Dr. Geist is talking directly to you. Dr. Geist is also hosting a fall wellness retreat for women in dentistry (October 1-4, Catskills, 12 CE credits). https://retreats.drshivasana.com/brea... Connect with her in Instagram   / pranawithdrkristen   CHAPTERS: 0:00 Introduction 1:30 Dr. Geist's Sleep Journey 7:00 Building Collaborative Practice 9:30 Soft Palate Laser Treatment 14:00 Adult Tongue Tie Releases 16:00 Not Taught in School 18:00 Responding to Dismissed Patients 21:00 Treatment Progress and Results 24:00 Women and Sleep Apnea Symptoms 27:30 UARS, AHI vs. RDI 31:00 CPAP and Alternatives 34:00 Adult Palatal Expansion 41:00 Women in Dentistry Retreat