This first of two volumes presents groundbreaking information on sleep apnea in children and youths. It provides easily comprehensible instruction ideal for students; practicing dental, medical, and allied medical practitioners; and researchers who wish to expand their knowledge base on this critical interdisciplinary topic. The book contains practical and well-documented case examples, which are not theoretical but illustrate common patient problems and effective, unparalleled interdisciplinary treatment strategies.

There is a disconnect on how health professions perceive and treat the causes of upper airway conditions. Various comorbidities can result from sleep apnea, oxygen deprivation, and upper airway conditions. This book connects oropharyngeal structure to metabolic disease through the practice of teledontics. Teledontics as a new interdisciplinary integrative medical–dental approach for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea is emerging rapidly. It relates oxygen needs of the body in addition to other nutritional requirements, focusing on how oxygen insufficiency can lead to multiple health comorbidities.

Joseph Yousefian was born and raised in Tehran, Iran. He completed his dental degree at Tehran University, obtained his degree in dentistry from Washington University in St. Louis, and completed three years of postgraduate training in orthodontics at Ohio State University. He received dual Master of Science Degrees in biology and physical anthropology. Always maintaining a strong commitment to continuing education and research, Dr. Yousefian has completed more than 4,600 hours of advanced medical/dental education.

He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine and Orthodontics and has a private practice in Bellevue, Washington. He has collaborated with several research projects, including NIH-funded clinical trials in the airway, open bite, and TMJ disorders. He is a lecturer nationally-internationally and presented these findings, totaling over 120 presentations. He has served as a Clinical Assistant Professor at Ohio State University and the University of Washington in graduate pedodontics and orthodontics. He is a manuscript and book reviewer for several publishing companies, including The Permanente Journal and CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group. He has worked in the Children Airway Screening Taskforce with the American Dental Association and American Orthodontic Association. He has contributed to over thirty publications in peer-reviewed journals and twelve textbooks.