awAIR unfiltered

Hilary Fritsch, DMD & Kevin Goles, DDS
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The awAIR Sessions are a clinical podcast for dentists, physicians, allied health providers and patients who are done accepting the status quo on sleep-disordered breathing and airway dysfunction. Hosted by Dr. Hilary Fritsch and Dr. Kevin Goles, each episode cuts through the noise with evidence-based discussion on airway assessment, treatment outcomes, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the science that mainstream medicine has been slow to adopt. Whether you're rethinking the orthodontic cases you've been managing for years, questioning why your patients aren't getting better on CPAP, or looking for the clinical framework that actually connects the airway to systemic health — this is the conversation you've been missing. New episodes drop weekly. Subscribe wherever you listen.

Episodes

  1. 2 days ago

    A Normal AHI Is Hiding Your Patient's Sleep Apnea

    A normal AHI is the most reassuring number in sleep medicine, and it is hiding apnea in your patients right now. Kevin Goles and I go through four different ways that number lies. Kevin Goles is an airway-focused dentist, my co-instructor on 3 Days to Airway, and the person I go to when a case doesn't add up. This is the full conversation. Expect to learn: → The 30-second in-chair screening test Kevin has his referring practices running on every patient, and why straight teeth tell you nothing → The Journal of Clinical Medicine study on intermolar distance and palatal height, and the 38mm line where obstructive sleep apnea effectively disappears → Why the roof of the mouth is the floor of the nose, and how a four-year-old ends up with a moderately deviated septum without ever being hit in the face → Why acrylic coverage on a fixed expander stops the palate dropping and caps the width you can create → Why young and middle-aged women are the most underdiagnosed population in sleep, precisely because their AHI reads normal → How progesterone and estrogen protect the airway, why incidence triples at menopause, and when a hormone complaint is really a breathing problem → What happened when I tested a CPAP patient with the machine on and with it off, and why nothing changed but his deep sleep → Why the AHI a CPAP reports is estimated by an algorithm rather than measured by oximetry, and the gap that opens against a SleepImage ring → How REM sleep regulates the amygdala, and what Matthew Walker's puppy analogy explains about anxiety and depression STUDY MENTIONED Correlation Between Severity of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Dental Arch Form in Adults — Journal of Clinical Medicine, 14(20), 7183 https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/14/20/7183 BOOK MENTIONED Why We Sleep — Matthew Walker KEVIN GOLES Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/airway_goles/ TRAIN WITH ME 3 Days to Airway — the hands-on course Kevin and I teach for doctors adding airway to their practice: https://www.3dayairway.com/ WORK WITH ME Book a 30-minute 1:1 consult: https://tr.ee/Sxn_v17K9G Book at Saddle Peak Dental: https://saddlepeakdental.com/contact/ Everything else: https://linktr.ee/hilaryfritschdmd LISTEN INSTEAD Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033v3dzI7lf95VkfTAzvQC BUSINESS INQUIRIES DM me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/hilaryfritschdmd ABOUT THE SHOW awAIR Unfiltered — 20 years in dentistry, Diplomate of the International Academy of Sleep, covering airway, sleep and breathing for the clinicians treating it. This channel is clinical discussion between practitioners. It isn't medical advice, and nothing here is a reason to stop using a device your doctor prescribed. #airwaydentistry #sleepapnea #dentistry

  2. 11 Jun

    Lower Expander Truths

    The conversation delves into the frustration and emotional impact of slow progress in orthodontic treatment, particularly in relation to the use of expanders and the reluctance to embrace new methods. The focus is on the impact of orthodontic treatment on airway, breathing, and sleep quality, with a strong emphasis on the need for open-mindedness and a willingness to challenge traditional orthodontic practices. The conversation covers a range of topics related to orthodontic treatment, airway health, and the impact of expansion on patients. It also delves into the challenges and misconceptions surrounding orthodontic and airway treatments. Takeaways Orthodontic treatment has a significant impact on airway, breathing, and sleep qualityOpen-mindedness and willingness to challenge traditional orthodontic practices are crucial for progress Orthodontic expansion can have a significant impact on airway health and can lead to life-changing improvements in breathing and sleep.The conversation highlights the importance of a comprehensive approach to orthodontic treatment, considering airway health, nasal breathing, and myofunctional therapy. Chapters 00:00 The Emotional Impact of Slow Progress07:30 Challenging Traditional Orthodontic Practices14:20 The Frustration of Closed-Mindedness21:06 The Reluctance to Embrace New Methods27:21 Orthodontic Expansion and Tooth Pillow Guide33:26 Challenges with Invisalign and Aligner Systems39:00 Orthodontic Treatment and Airway Health Considerations

  3. 8 Jun

    Palatal Anatomy & OSA Risk

    This conversation delves into the intricate relationship between dental health and sleep disordered breathing, particularly obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The discussion highlights the significance of the cotton roll test in assessing airway space, the correlation between dental arch form and OSA severity, and the importance of palatal height and intermolar width in maintaining proper airway function during sleep. The speakers also explore the role of dental practices in identifying and managing sleep health issues, as well as the complexities of sleep stages and their impact on apnea events. In this conversation, Hilary Fritsch, DMD, and Kevin Goles, DDS discuss various aspects of dentistry, particularly focusing on sleep disordered breathing and its implications for patient care. They explore personal experiences in dentistry, the impact of hormones on sleep apnea, the effectiveness of CPAP machines, and the critical role of REM sleep in mental health. The discussion emphasizes the need for a more nuanced understanding of sleep disorders and their treatment, particularly in underrepresented populations such as young to middle-aged females. Takeaways The cotton roll test is essential for assessing airway space. Narrow intermolar distance correlates with higher OSA probability. Palatal height affects the ability to breathe during sleep. Dental arch form is linked to obstructive sleep apnea severity. Proper airway space is crucial for REM sleep quality. Dental practices play a vital role in sleep health management. Understanding sleep stages helps in diagnosing apnea events. Airway collapse often occurs during REM sleep due to muscle paralysis. The cotton roll test simplifies the screening process for sleep issues. Expanding the palate can improve airway function and sleep quality. Most doctors are also the worst patients. Young to middle-aged females are drastically under treated for sleep disorders. CPAP machines may not always be effective and can sometimes harm patients. Quality of REM sleep is crucial for mental health and emotional regulation. Hormonal changes, especially around menopause, significantly impact sleep apnea severity. Patients often report drastic improvements in quality of life after treatment for sleep disorders. The AHI measured by CPAP machines may not accurately reflect a patient's condition. Sleep studies should evaluate more than just the presence of apnea events. REM sleep is essential for processing traumatic events and emotional healing. Many patients do not remember their dreams, indicating poor sleep quality. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Sleep Disordered Breathing 02:56 Understanding the Cotton Roll Test 06:03 Correlation Between Dental Arch and Sleep Apnea 08:57 Palatal Height and Intermolar Width 11:53 The Role of Dental Practices in Sleep Health 15:04 Analyzing Sleep Stages and Apnea Events 17:53 The Importance of Airway Space in REM Sleep 21:06 Navigating Personal Experiences in Dentistry 22:53 Understanding Sleep Disordered Breathing 24:43 The Impact of Hormones on Sleep Apnea 26:05 Evaluating CPAP Effectiveness 30:07 The Limitations of CPAP and Alternative Solutions 35:28 The Connection Between REM Sleep and Mental Health

  • 3 Episodes

About

The awAIR Sessions are a clinical podcast for dentists, physicians, allied health providers and patients who are done accepting the status quo on sleep-disordered breathing and airway dysfunction. Hosted by Dr. Hilary Fritsch and Dr. Kevin Goles, each episode cuts through the noise with evidence-based discussion on airway assessment, treatment outcomes, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the science that mainstream medicine has been slow to adopt. Whether you're rethinking the orthodontic cases you've been managing for years, questioning why your patients aren't getting better on CPAP, or looking for the clinical framework that actually connects the airway to systemic health — this is the conversation you've been missing. New episodes drop weekly. Subscribe wherever you listen.

Information

  • Creator
    Hilary Fritsch, DMD & Kevin Goles, DDS
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    3
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Hilary Fritsch, DMD & Kevin Goles, DDS

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