Episodes

  • Episode 156: The Hidden Way Your Teeth Impact Sleep with Dr. Robert Kerstein

    Episode 156: The Hidden Way Your Teeth Impact Sleep with Dr. Robert Kerstein
    Jan 26 2026
    In this episode of The Healthy Sleep Revolution, we speak with Dr. Robert Kerstein, prosthodontist and leading authority in computerized occlusal analysis, about how bite alignment and jaw function can interfere with sleep quality. We explore how excessive tooth contact and poor disclusion can overactivate swallowing and airway-related muscles, gradually narrowing the airway and contributing to non-restorative sleep, clenching, grinding, headaches, and facial tension. We also discuss why bite-related sleep issues are so often overlooked in standard dental exams and medical evaluations. Dr. Kerstein explains why primary care providers, neurologists, and even many dentists may miss the connection, and how traditional bite assessment tools fail to capture the timing, force, and friction patterns that drive neuromuscular overload and sleep disruption. Finally, we walk through what patients can do if they experience grinding, jaw soreness, morning headaches, or restless sleep. Dr. Kerstein outlines how computerized bite analysis using T-Scan and EMG can identify whether bite alignment is contributing to symptoms, what the Disclusion Time Reduction process looks like, and why working with a properly trained provider is essential for meaningful, lasting results. What You Will Learn How an unhealthy bite or jaw alignment can interfere with airway function and sleep Why headaches, TMJ symptoms, facial tension, and poor sleep often share a common bite-related cause Why bite problems affecting sleep are frequently missed in dental and medical settings What computerized bite analysis reveals that traditional methods cannot The most important first step in determining whether bite alignment is contributing to sleep disruption About Dr. Robert B. Kerstein Dr. Robert B. Kerstein earned his D.M.D. in 1983 and his Prosthodontic certificate in 1985 from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, where he later served as a clinical professor of Fixed and Removable Prosthodontics for 13 years. Beginning in 1984, he has studied every generation of T-Scan technology, from the original T-Scan I to the current T-Scan 10 Novus, and over the past four decades has become the leading authority in Computerized Occlusal Analysis. Dr. Kerstein has published extensively in leading dental journals and edited nine research volumes on T-Scan applications. A pioneer and academic advocate for digital occlusal technology, he teaches a measured, data-driven approach that improves bite-related treatment outcomes, enhances patient comfort, reduces prosthesis failure and remakes, and shortens overall treatment time. Connect with Dr. Robert B. Kerstein Website: https://www.drrobertkerstein.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-kerstein-dmd-0b01b410/ About Dr. Meghna Dassani Dr. Meghna Dassani is a high-performance strategist, biologically-driven leadership expert, and award-winning dentist who helps women stop living overwhelmed and start leading with clarity, strategy, and science. For over two decades, she built and scaled a thriving dental practice, became a nationally recognized airway sleep expert, and trained thousands of clinicians across the world. But her deeper calling emerged in the conversations happening behind closed doors — with women doctors who were exhausted, overextended, and silently questioning whether this version of success was worth the cost. Meghna saw a pattern: Burnout wasn't a mindset issue. It was a biology issue. And leadership wasn't a personality trait — it was a learnable system. That's when The Making of Her was born. Today, Meghna blends neuroscience, physiology, business strategy, and real-world leadership to help women doctors and leaders operate at their highest level — without grinding themselves into the ground. Her frameworks support women in making better decisions, executing at a higher level, and reclaiming ownership of their time, energy, and results. Through her mastermind, The Expansion Collective, her newsletter The Audacity Edit, and now The Making of Her Podcast, Meghna is on a mission to give women the tools, language, and systems to rise without burnout — and build the kind of lives they don't need a vacation from. This isn't self-help. This is science-backed leadership for women who are done settling. Meghna lives in Houston with her husband and their two daughters who are her greatest reminders of legacy, courage, and possibility. The Making of Her is where strategy meets real talk. Where biology meets leadership. Where women stop shrinking and start becoming the version of themselves they always knew existed. Welcome home. Connect with Dr. Meghna Dassani Website: https://www.meghnadassani.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/healthysleeprevolution Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meghna_dassani/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@meghna-dassani
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    31 mins
  • Episode 155: The "Small Jaw Pandemic" Affecting Children's Learning and Development with Dr. Leslie Pasco

    Episode 155: The "Small Jaw Pandemic" Affecting Children's Learning and Development with Dr. Leslie Pasco
    Jan 19 2026
    In this episode of the Healthy Sleep Revolution podcast, we sit down with Dr. Leslie Pasco, a general dentist with over 25 years of clinical experience who has dedicated her career to early airway intervention in children. Our conversation explores why sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBD) often begin far earlier than most families and providers realize, and how modern lifestyle changes have contributed to what Dr. Pasco describes as a global "small jaw pandemic." We discuss why waiting until adulthood to address airway issues is too late, and how prevention-focused care can fundamentally change long-term health outcomes. We dive into the early signs and symptoms of pediatric SRBD, including chronic mouth breathing, snoring, bedwetting, poor sleep quality, and ADHD-like behaviors such as inattention, hyperactivity, and emotional dysregulation. Dr. Pasco explains how compromised breathing and sleep can impact a child's neurocognitive development, behavior, and ability to thrive both academically and socially. We also explore why crowded teeth and facial growth patterns are not merely cosmetic concerns, but important indicators of airway restriction and functional imbalance. Finally, we explore the role of myofunctional therapy and early, non-invasive intervention through MyoWay Centers for Kids, which Dr. Pasco founded to focus exclusively on airway-centered pediatric care. She shares how guiding jaw growth, correcting oral muscle function, and addressing mouth breathing during critical developmental windows can dramatically improve sleep, behavior, and overall health. This episode is a powerful reminder that children do not need to "grow out of" sleep and breathing issues — with the right awareness and collaboration, we can intervene early and change the trajectory of a child's life. What You Will Learn: Early signs and symptoms of sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBD) in children How mouth breathing and poor jaw development affect sleep, behavior, and brain function The connection between pediatric SRBD and ADHD-like symptoms Why early intervention is critical for healthy neurocognitive development How myofunctional therapy supports airway health and facial growth The mission and model behind MyoWay Centers for Kids About Dr. Leslie Pasco With over 25 years of experience as a general dentist, healthcare consultant, and professional speaker, Dr. Leslie Pasco has witnessed firsthand the widespread impact of underdeveloped jaws and restricted airways. After treating hundreds of thousands of patients, she recognized a growing public health issue linked to mouth breathing, poor jaw development, and sleep-related breathing disorders. As a trained orofacial myologist and certified Buteyko Breathing Instructor, Dr. Pasco now dedicates her work to early, preventive care for children. Driven by research showing that airway dysfunction in childhood is connected to ADHD-like symptoms, poor sleep, and long-term health risks, Dr. Pasco founded MyoWay Centers for Kids. Her programs focus on non-invasive, early myofunctional therapy using FDA-approved appliances to guide healthy jaw and airway development during critical growth periods. Through both in-person and virtual care, Dr. Pasco's mission is to help children breathe better, sleep better, and build a healthier future from the very start. Connect with Dr. Leslie Pasco Website: https://myowaycenters.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlesliepasco/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrLesliePasco/ About Meghna Dassani Dr. Meghna Dassani is passionate about promoting healthy sleep through dental practices. In following the ADA's 2017 guideline on sleep apnea screening and treatment, she has helped many children and adults improve their sleep, their breathing, and their lives. Her books and seminars help parents and practitioners understand the essential roles of the tongue, palate, and jaw in promoting healthy sleep. Connect with Dr. Meghna Dassani Website: https://www.meghnadassani.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/healthysleeprevolution Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meghna_dassani/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@meghna-dassani
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    30 mins
  • Episode 154: What Dentists Are Missing About Sleep, Pain, and the Airway with Dr. Mayoor Patel

    Episode 154: What Dentists Are Missing About Sleep, Pain, and the Airway with Dr. Mayoor Patel
    Dec 22 2025
    In this episode of Healthy Sleep Revolution, we're joined by Dr. Mayoor Patel, DDS, MS, a leading expert in dental sleep medicine and co-editor of Dental Sleep Medicine: A Clinical Guide, a comprehensive textbook used by clinicians to understand the intersection of dentistry and sleep medicine. Dr. Patel has spent decades focused on TMJ disorders, orofacial pain, and sleep-disordered breathing, bringing a depth of clinical experience and academic insight that challenges how many dental and sleep practices currently operate. Boswell Books+1 We discuss the significant gaps that exist between traditional dental practice and effective sleep medicine, including why sleep-disordered breathing often goes unrecognized in dental settings and how expanding screening protocols can change patient outcomes. Dr. Patel explains practical approaches for dentists and sleep clinicians to better identify, assess, and manage sleep-disordered breathing, emphasizing the role of thorough airway evaluation, collaboration across disciplines, and taking patient symptoms seriously rather than overlooking them. Boswell Books We also delve into the clinical realities that are frequently missed, including the nuanced presentation of airway issues in patients, and why oral appliance therapy and comprehensive management strategies need to be more widely adopted. Dr. Patel further explores the often-overlooked connection between pain and sleep, highlighting how unresolved orofacial pain and airway dysfunction can create a cycle of poor sleep, increased pain sensitivity, and systemic health consequences. This episode equips listeners with a clearer framework for bridging dental care and sleep health, empowering both providers and patients to pursue more holistic, effective solutions. About Dr. Mayoor Patel Dr. Patel received his dental degree from the University of Tennessee in 1994. After graduation he completed a one-year residency in Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD). In 2011 he completed a Masters in Science from Tufts University in the area of Craniofacial Pain and Dental Sleep Medicine. Dr. Patel is Board certified in Orofacial pain and Dental sleep medicine. Presently, Dr. Patel is a co-founder of the British Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, Ben-Pat Institute and a visiting faculty at Tufts University. He also served on the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain as secretary, board member of the British Society of Dental Sleep Medicine, and a board member and as examination chair for the American Board of Craniofacial Pain and Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine. In the past has served as a founding and board member of the Georgia Association of Sleep Professionals. Since 2003, Dr. Patel has limited his practice to the treatment of TMJ Disorders, Headaches, Orofacial Pain and Sleep Apnea. Additional contributions have been published: a textbook for Dental Sleep Medicine and numerous textbook chapters on orofacial pain and dental sleep medicine, consumer books, one on treatment options for sleep apnea and the other on understanding temporomandibular disorders, and various professional and consumer articles. Dr. Patel speaks nationally and internationally on topics of dental sleep medicine, Orofacial pain and TMJ disorders. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cpcgeorgia/ and https://www.instagram.com/benpatinst/ Websites: https://mpateldds.com/ and https://benpatinstitute.com/ About Meghna Dassani Dr. Meghna Dassani is passionate about promoting healthy sleep through dental practices. In following the ADA's 2017 guideline on sleep apnea screening and treatment, she has helped many children and adults improve their sleep, their breathing, and their lives. Her books and seminars help parents and practitioners understand the essential roles of the tongue, palate, and jaw in promoting healthy sleep. Connect with Dr. Meghna Dassani Website: https://www.meghnadassani.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/healthysleeprevolution Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meghna_dassani/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@meghna-dassani
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    32 mins
  • Episode 153: Weight, Metabolism & Breathing: Myth vs Reality

    Episode 153: Weight, Metabolism & Breathing: Myth vs Reality
    Dec 15 2025

    In this episode of Healthy Sleep Revolution, we challenge one of the most common misconceptions in sleep medicine: that weight loss alone can resolve sleep apnea. We explain why this belief is scientifically incomplete and often leads to frustration and self-blame for patients. Many individuals with sleep apnea are not obese, including children, athletes, and women undergoing hormonal changes, which highlights that body weight is not the primary driver of disordered breathing during sleep.

    We break down the critical role of airway anatomy and physiology, including jaw position, palate structure, tongue posture, nasal obstruction, muscle tone, and chronic mouth breathing. We also explore the bi-directional relationship between sleep apnea and metabolic dysfunction, showing how fragmented sleep can worsen insulin resistance, hormonal balance, inflammation, and energy regulation, even independent of weight. At the same time, metabolic instability can further impair airway stability and sleep quality.

    What you will learn:

    • Why sleep apnea is not simply a weight-related condition

    • How airway anatomy drives obstructive sleep apnea

    • The connection between fragmented sleep and metabolic dysfunction

    • Why calorie restriction alone rarely resolves sleep apnea

    • How airway-first treatment supports metabolic and sleep health

    About Meghna Dassani

    Dr. Meghna Dassani is passionate about promoting healthy sleep through dental practices. In following the ADA's 2017 guideline on sleep apnea screening and treatment, she has helped many children and adults improve their sleep, their breathing, and their lives. Her books and seminars help parents and practitioners understand the essential roles of the tongue, palate, and jaw in promoting healthy sleep.

    Connect with Dr. Meghna Dassani

    Website: https://www.meghnadassani.com

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/healthysleeprevolution

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meghna_dassani/

    Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@meghna-dassani
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    13 mins
  • Episode 152: Kids, Screens & Sleep – Are We Overlooking the Airway?

    Episode 152: Kids, Screens & Sleep – Are We Overlooking the Airway?
    Dec 8 2025

    In this episode, we dive into a conversation every parent, teacher, and clinician needs to hear: how screens, posture, mouth breathing, and airway development are all deeply connected. While most discussions focus on blue light and screen limits, we explore how modern tech habits are quietly reshaping children's facial growth and long-term sleep health.

    We break down how forward head posture and constant downward gazing narrow the airway, encourage mouth breathing, and interfere with deep, restorative sleep. We also explain how poor tongue posture and underdeveloped palates contribute to sleep-disordered breathing and why today's tech neck can become tomorrow's airway compromise.

    We also unpack the powerful overlap between sleep deprivation and ADHD-like symptoms in children. Many behaviors labeled as attention or behavioral issues may actually be signs of fragmented sleep and restricted breathing. Most importantly, we share simple, practical steps families can start using immediately to protect their child's airway, sleep, and development.

    What you will learn:

    • How screen posture directly impacts airway space and breathing

    • Why mouth breathing changes facial growth and narrows the palate

    • The role of tongue posture in healthy airway development

    • How sleep deprivation can mimic ADHD symptoms

    • The three main ways screens disrupt sleep quality

    • Early warning signs of airway and sleep issues in children

    • Practical steps parents can start using right away

    About Meghna Dassani

    Dr. Meghna Dassani is passionate about promoting healthy sleep through dental practices. In following the ADA's 2017 guideline on sleep apnea screening and treatment, she has helped many children and adults improve their sleep, their breathing, and their lives. Her books and seminars help parents and practitioners understand the essential roles of the tongue, palate, and jaw in promoting healthy sleep.

    Connect with Dr. Meghna Dassani

    Website: https://www.meghnadassani.com

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/healthysleeprevolution

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meghna_dassani/

    Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@meghna-dassani
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    11 mins
  • Episode 151: How Screens Secretly Sabotage Your Sleep & Airway Health

    Episode 151: How Screens Secretly Sabotage Your Sleep & Airway Health
    Dec 1 2025

    In this episode of the Healthy Sleep Revolution Podcast, Dr. Meghna Dassani breaks down one of the biggest, and most overlooked, disruptors of modern sleep: screens.

    We all know we should put our phones away before bed, but few people understand why it matters so much. Dr. Dassani explains how blue light, digital overstimulation, notifications, and nighttime scrolling impact melatonin, cortisol, airway stability, and your nervous system's ability to shift into deep, restorative sleep.

    You'll learn:

    • How blue light signals your brain that it's daytime

    • Why melatonin drops and cortisol rises with screen use

    • What "social jet lag" is and why your nervous system thinks you flew from Houston to Tokyo

    • How late-night scrolling worsens snoring and sleep apnea

    • The link between digital dopamine hits and a hyperactive nervous system

    • The real science on EMFs and sleep

    • Simple, practical device rules for families

    • The 90-minute "digital sunset" Dr. Dassani teaches in her practice

    Plus, Dr. Dassani shares her favourite screen-time hacks: warm lighting, bedroom boundaries, charging baskets, and behavioural shifts that turn chaotic evenings into calmer nights for the whole family.

    If your nights feel restless, your mornings feel punishing, or you suspect technology is taking a toll on your sleep, this episode will give you the tools you need to take back your evenings — one habit at a time.

    About Dr. Meghna Dassani

    Dr. Meghna Dassani is passionate about promoting healthy sleep through dental practices. In following the ADA's 2017 guideline on sleep apnea screening and treatment, she has helped many children and adults improve their sleep, their breathing, and their lives. Her books and seminars help parents and practitioners understand the essential roles of the tongue, palate, and jaw in promoting healthy sleep.

    Connect with Dr. Meghna Dassani

    Website: https://www.meghnadassani.com
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/healthysleeprevolution
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meghna_dassani/
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@meghna-dassani
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    6 mins
  • Episode 150: Redefining Dentistry: Airway, Sleep, and Whole-Patient Care with Dr. Sofya Kats

    Episode 150: Redefining Dentistry: Airway, Sleep, and Whole-Patient Care with Dr. Sofya Kats
    Nov 24 2025

    In today's episode, I sit down with the incredible Dr. Sofya Kats, a Milwaukee-based general dentist whose practice takes a whole-patient approach to health. From infants to older adults, she focuses on airway, sleep, growth, and function — because the mouth is more than teeth; it's the gateway to lifelong health.

    This conversation has been months in the making, and it was so worth the wait. Dr. Sofya and I explore how early oral function, feeding, and nasal breathing shape a child's development — and how airway issues continue to affect adults who may not even realize they're struggling.

    Whether you're a parent, a patient searching for answers, or a provider wanting to better understand the dental–airway connection, this episode is full of clarity, insight, and direction.

    • How Dr. Sofya's son led her into airway-focused dentistry

    • Early signs of airway issues in infants and children

    • Why breastfeeding challenges play a major role in growth and development

    • Key symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing in kids and adults

    • What an airway-focused dental exam actually includes

    • Treatment options: therapy, releases, expansion, referrals

    • Dr. Sofya's top advice for both parents and adults seeking answers

    Dr. Sofya Kats is local to Milwaukee, WI. She grew up in Bayside and attended Nicolet HS, UW-Milwaukee and Marquette University School of Dentistry. She received her DDS degree in 2007 and then completed a two year General Practice residency program in Brooklyn, NY at NY Methodist Hospital.

    Dr. Kats is passionate about the artistry of her profession. She helps patients understand the link between beauty and health and restores smiles with an airway focused-approach. Outside of the office, she enjoys volunteering her time to treat patients both locally, nationally and internationally, and she has participated in many mission trips.

    Dr Kats is the proud Mom of two sons and her free time is dedicated to her family and friends.

    Dr. Kats is a member of:

    • Greater Milwaukee Dental Association

    • Wisconsin Dental Association

    • American Dental Association

    • The Forum Study Club (oldest Dental Study Club in the United States)

    • American Academy of Physiological Medicine & Dentistry

    • American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine Member

    • American Laser Study Club

    • Dental Online Training

    • Mommy Dentist in Business: Official Member


    Connect with Dr. Sofya Kats
    Website: https://www.riverwalkdentistry.com/team/sofya-kats-dds
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katsdentistry/
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sofyakatsdds/?hl=en


    About Meghna Dassani

    Dr. Meghna Dassani is passionate about promoting healthy sleep through dental practices. In following the ADA's 2017 guideline on sleep apnea screening and treatment, she has helped many children and adults improve their sleep, their breathing, and their lives. Her books and seminars help parents and practitioners understand the essential roles of the tongue, palate, and jaw in promoting healthy sleep.

    Connect with Dr. Meghna Dassani

    Website: https://www.meghnadassani.com

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/healthysleeprevolution

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meghna_dassani/

    Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@meghna-dassani
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    29 mins
  • Episode 149: The Future of Sleep Medicine with Dr. Aarthi Raghavan

    Episode 149: The Future of Sleep Medicine with Dr. Aarthi Raghavan
    May 19 2025

    In this empowering and eye-opening episode of The Healthy Sleep Revolution, Dr. Meghna Dassani is joined by the passionate and insightful Dr. Aarthi Raghavan—a trailblazing dentist who is redefining what it means to provide whole-patient care. Together, they dive into the exciting innovations transforming the sleep and airway space, from cutting-edge tech to collaborative care models that center patient wellbeing. With warmth, wisdom, and real-world experience, Dr. Raghavan shares how her practice blends clinical excellence with education and empathy to improve sleep health, especially for those who often go undiagnosed. Whether you're a provider looking to stay ahead of the curve or someone curious about how to get better sleep, this episode is packed with practical tips and thought-provoking insights that will inspire you to take action.

    In this episode, you'll learn:

    • The latest in sleep and airway tech: from wearables like the Oura Ring to sleep-tracking apps and direct-to-consumer tools

    • Why sleep tech is best used as a screening and monitoring tool, not a replacement for diagnosis

    • How technology is empowering both providers and patients to take control of their health

    • The unique role dentists play in screening for sleep-disordered breathing

    • The challenges (and breakthroughs) of collaborating with MDs in today's healthcare landscape

    • How sharing bite-sized education—via email, social media, and team conversations—can spark life-changing awareness

    • Dr. Raghavan's top 3 sleep hygiene tips everyone should follow

    "We spend a third of our lives sleeping. A sleep study should be as routine as blood work once you hit 35." – Dr. Aarthi Raghavan

    This episode is a must-listen for clinicians, caregivers, and anyone who wants to better understand how innovation, collaboration, and patient empowerment are reshaping sleep care.


    Connect with Dr. Aarthi Raghavan
    Www.ddentalgroup.com
    Www.dupagesleepsolutions.com
    Instagram: @dupagedentalgroup
    Facebook: @dupagedentalgroup
    Instagram: @ad.ventures.of.a.sleepdentist
    Instagram@an_empath_s_diary_

    About Meghna Dassani

    Dr. Meghna Dassani is passionate about promoting healthy sleep through dental practices. In following the ADA's 2017 guideline on sleep apnea screening and treatment, she has helped many children and adults improve their sleep, their breathing, and their lives. Her books and seminars help parents and practitioners understand the essential roles of the tongue, palate, and jaw in promoting healthy sleep.

    Connect with Dr. Meghna Dassani

    Website: https://www.meghnadassani.com

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/healthysleeprevolution

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthysleeprevolution/

    Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9Lh_n7xmbhQVPGQrSjBIrw

    Get a copy of Airway is Life: https://www.airwayislife.com
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    33 mins