VUB organises symposium on sleep and sleep medicine

11/03/2024

On Thursday 14 March, World Sleep Day, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel’s University Dental Centre (UTC-VUB) is hosting the symposium “Sleep and sleep medicine: the role of the dentist, speech therapist, ENT doctor, OMF doctor and oral hygienist in the clinical care pathway”.

The full-day programme focuses on a practice-oriented approach to sleep-related orofacial dysfunctions, disorders that occur in the mouth and face during sleep. They take various forms that have a negative impact on health and well-being, such as teeth grinding and sleep apnoea.

The symposium frames these dysfunctions within a broad international context. International opinion leaders will speak and come together to develop an evidence-based platform, in collaboration with domestic and foreign universities and professional organisations. The aim of the platform is to develop and promote guidelines in post-graduate education and practice for the relevant care providers.

Programme

8.30-9.00: Registration
9.00-9.15: Introduction of UTC, VUB and UZ Brussel: common role in diagnosis and therapy of sleep dysfunction
Prof dr Miche De Meyer (VUB) & Dr Sonia De Weerdt (UZ Brussel)
9.15-10.45: Training and screening for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA): part 1 & 2
- 1. The role and training of orofacial clinicians in sleep medicine (national and international - Dutch) Prof dr Miche De Meyer (VUB)
- 2. Bio-markers in screening for OSA
  (English) Prof dr Susana Falardo (U Católica Portugal; EADSM)
10.45-11.15: Coffee break
11.15-12.45: Keynote: How orofacial dysfunctions interfere with sleep quality: from research to clinic
Prof dr Gilles Lavigne – CHUM Montréal
12.45-13.45: Lunch
13.45-15.15: Keynote: The link between sleep bruxism and OSA with oral appliance therapy
Prof dr Cibele Dal Fabbro – Université de Montréal
15.15-15.45: Coffee break
15.45-17.15: Clinical duos in therapy for OSA
- ENT doctor in evidence-based screening and therapies in OSA
  Prof dr Olivier Vanderveken (Ibedsma & UZA)
- Myofunctional therapy in OSA: dos and don’ts
  Prof dr Susana Falardo (U Católica Portugal; EADSM)
- Preventive orthodontics for OSA
  Prof dr Karlien Asscherickx (VUB)
- Preventive and curative OMF surgery for OSA
  Dr Ellen Collier (UZA)
17.15-20.30: Reception