• Dr. Arun Kumar M
• Dr. Vandana Shenoy
• Dr. K. Mohamed Afradh
• Dr. C.S.C. Satish kumar
• Dr. Anjana.B

Background: Dentists play an important role in the detection and management of patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and referring them to general physicians or sleep specialists or even handling these patients through a multidisciplinary approach. Recent studies have shown higher hesitancy of dental professionals towards the diagnosis and treatment of OSA patients. Aim: The present study was aimed to assess the level of awareness towards treating OSA patients among undergraduate dental students of Tamil Nadu, India. Methodology: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based online survey was conducted through Google forms among the undergraduate dental students in and around Tamilnadu. Statistical Package for Social Sciences software (SPSS version 22.0) was used to analyze the statistical data. The p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result: A total of 142 respondents participated among which the majority (60%) admitted unfamiliarity towards the role of all 3 disciplines (ENT, Dentistry, and Neurology) in identifying and managing OSA patients. 65% of our participants were unaware of the investigatory methods nonetheless 2/3rd of undergraduate dental students are willing to intervene in the management of OSA patients if they are given required training. Conclusion: Thus it is essential for the dental community including undergraduate dental students to incorporate sleep medicine in dental curriculum, participate in the continuing medical/dental education programs, interdisciplinary courses focusing on sleep medicine in association with sleep specialists, sleep pathologists, neurology, and ENT departments, and assist handling this severe and inevitable health condition.

Keywords: Awareness, Continuous positive airway pressure therapy, Dental Students, Polysomnography, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Oral Appliances.

"AWARNESS ON OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA AMONG UNDER GRADUATE DENTAL STUDENTS-AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY.", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.8, Issue 12, page no.a363-a369, December-2021, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2112042.pdf

"AWARNESS ON OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA AMONG UNDER GRADUATE DENTAL STUDENTS-AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY.", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.8, Issue 12, page no. ppa363-a369, December-2021, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2112042.pdf