Author: Michael Kelley

An Account of Last Weekend’s ASBA Study Club by Dr. Tim Adams Event Overview Last weekend’s ASBA Study Club in Minneapolis, MN was nothing short of exceptional. The amazing world class Doctors that atteneded this event made it something truly special. We kicked things off Thursday night with an unforgettable dinner at the world-renowned Manny’s Steakhouse — a first-class experience generously covered by the ASBA. The atmosphere, the food, and the camaraderie set the tone for an incredible weekend ahead. Lectures & Knowledge Sharing Friday and Saturday, I had the privilege of being the main lecturer, sharing real-world strategies and case studies with an incredible group of dedicated doctors. The discussions were rich, the engagement was high, and the knowledge exchange was exactly what makes ASBA Study Clubs so powerful. As I’ve often said: “The value of what you get from attending an ASBA Study Club is on a whole other level.” Special Experience: Minnesota Vikings Game To wrap it all up, on Saturday afternoon, we headed to a Minnesota Vikings preseason game — another perk of being an ASBA member and Study Club attendee. Great football, great company, and a perfect way to celebrate a weekend of professional growth and connection. I know that David Gergen is with the NFL, but we had over 30 Tickets in the same section, an outsatnding feat for teamn like the MN Vikings. We were all able to sit together and mingle and discuss the Study Club while enjoying the game. You can’t say anything about negative about the value ASBA has for its members. The Academy takes care of all its members not only professionally but also on a personal level. Final Thoughts I truly believe: “You cannot put a price on what is taught and how it is taught by real-world doctors who utilize this knowledge daily.” If you’ve never attended an ASBA Study Club, you’re missing out on an experience that’s as rewarding personally as it is professionally.   Reviews from the Top Class Doctors That Attended Dr. Cythina Wiggins “The Study Club hosted by ASBA this past weekend was an exceptional assembly of clinicians interested in expanding their treatment options for OSA. Three dimensional evaluation and treatment recommendations took all attendees to a higher, comprehensive treatment option for sleep disordered breathing – using the diagnostic tools we already have in our practices. The subject content presented enables our clinics to address the epigenetic potential of the components of breathing within our scope of practice – structurally – not just the traditional mandibular advancement appliance. Attendees were from all regions of the United States so it will be exciting to see each area implementing the skills learned. These techniques can be implemented on kids as well as adults, so the lives affected will include multiple generations. This is the future of our county’s health. Simply amazing.”   Dr. Adam Culver “My journey into sleep dentistry began unexpectedly after a shoulder injury forced me to step away from general dentistry. Determined to provide the best care for my new sleep patients, I explored various organizations for education. I completed the AADSM Mastery 1 Program, but the results in my patients weren’t what I’d hoped for. Then I found the American Sleep and Breathing Academy (ASBA) — and I was blown away. The organization is collaborative, welcoming, and full of members eager to share their knowledge and experience. I attended Dr. Jerry Hu’s Introduction to Sleep Dentistry course, and it was transformative. Dr. Hu blends his personal journey with an infectious passion for improving patient lives and a relentless mission to eradicate AHI. His course covered everything — from handling inbound calls and using effective scripts, to streamlined treatment workflows, appliance selection for various situations, taking the correct bite, physician communication, and even simplifying insurance billing into a clear, repeatable process. I learned more from Dr. Hu in that one course than I had anywhere else in sleep dentistry. This is the course I wish I had taken at the very start — it’s the ideal launchpad for implementing sleep dentistry successfully. I also attended the Advanced Study Club, where Dr. Tim Adams’ lecture on epigenetics and the Open Loop Cricket (OLC) was nothing short of mind-blowing. His ability to connect cranial distortions with TMD, airway, and neurological issues is both captivating and practical. The OLC’s results are incredible — I’ve personally used it with patients and have seen remarkable improvements in tinnitus, vertigo, TMD, migraines, sleep quality, and even facial symmetry. Many of these results appeared within 30 days and continued to improve over time. The ASBA isn’t just education — it’s the key to transforming your practice.” Donna Willey “I’ve followed my husband to more dental events than I can count, and each one has offered something new to take home and implement. But the top drawer experience happened in Minneapolis with the ASBA on August 8-9. From start to finish, everything was exceptional. The hotel accommodations were truly luxurious, and the dinner… well, it was at the number one steakhouse in the World. I’ve never seen potatoes arranged in such a perfect circular display or broccoli so vibrantly green it looked like it was created by AI — and yet the flavor exceeded even the stunning presentation. A heartfelt shout-out to Dave Gergen for going above and beyond to create such a remarkable event. We loved every moment!” Rod Willey When Dave invited me to the ASBA meeting in Minnesota, the timing could not have been more difficult. I was in the midst of launching Beyonn— Still, Dave urged me not to miss it, my respect for Dave said, “Go”  He was absolutely right. After 15 years of exclusively treating OSA and TMD, I have attended countless lectures and training programs. Yet, this meeting was different. Over two days, Tim Adams delivered an extraordinary presentation that was as practical as it was visionary. His mastery of the subject matter, combined with his groundbreaking work on the Cricket appliance, provided immediate take-home value. I have already incorporated his techniques into my daily protocols, and the impact is tangible. What impressed me most was Tim’s generosity. In an era where many guard their “trade secrets,” he shared openly, giving others the tools to achieve the same level of success he has experienced. That level of professional transparency is rare—and invaluable. Being part of ASBA from its early days, I have always admired Dave’s mission: to elevate dentistry by helping every clinician who is willing to learn. This meeting reinforced why ASBA membership is a must for any dentist ready to look beyond the teeth. The academy’s programs are not just educational—they are transformative, equipping practitioners to deliver a higher standard of care and to grow in ways they never imagined. In short, ASBA delivers on its promise. If you are serious about advancing your clinical skills, expanding your impact, and connecting with innovators who truly care about your success, there is no better place to invest your time. Dr. Jerry Hu “There are those special times in life when we feel beyond blessed to experience so much joy and enrichment at an industry meeting in our profession. The Minnesota ASBA meeting this August was simply that kind of a meeting. The atmosphere of the meeting was filled with the eagerness of learning and the sharing of knowledge. The networking, the exchanging of ideas and experiences, and the passion displayed by all of the attendees and educators exemplified the very definition of teamwork and leadership. Francisco Eraso, quite simply speaking, will advance the entire field of dental sleep medicine, period. His G Force Aligner system, his remarkable experience in CT – CONEBEAM oral radiology (Beam Readers), and his ability to incorporate the Open Loop Cricket and Quantum physics into the clear aligner system all make the future of dental sleep medicine so exciting. Moreover, he will carry that torch and light up the industry worldwide from Asia to South America. Our Academy truly will make a global impact, and what an incredible journey this will be due to the knowledge and expertise of Francisco. Tim Adams with the OLC, delivered as he always does. He captured the attention of the attendees and turned on their bright thinking lights. His lecture style really allows people to connect to his way of thinking, and he gets them prepared to do the OLC responsibly and thoroughly. The industry needs his intelligence and passion – teaching real solutions and methods that work. Thinking outside the box, avoiding the same old pit falls and issues that old school practitioners limit themselves with, Tim provides a breath of fresh air and a methodology that elevates our profession. Dave Gergen, without a doubt, poured his heart into this Minnesota gathering. On top of being the one who truly makes things happen, such as this wonderful meeting, he goes above and beyond. It wasn’t enough for him to just have the best educational experience for the attendees, he wanted all of us to have meaningful life journey activities and memories. He invited all of us to go to a pre season NFL game and invited legends such as Chuck Foreman and Stu Voigt to visit us in our meeting. Additionally, he took people out to Manny’s – one of the best steak houses in the world. Dave simply is an exceptional leader and what is most dear to all of us is his big heart. That heart of his is full of love. ASBA, without a doubt, is the future of dental sleep medicine. This academy is truly the best of the best!” Register for the Next Study Club Event Please register now for the next ASBA Study Club — Click here to register Editors note: a testimonial was mistakenly attributed to Dr. Suzanne Thai. Many reviews were submitted after the event, and one was attached to her name in error. This article has been updated, and we apologize to Dr. Thai and to our readers for the mistake.

When Dave invited me to the ASBA meeting in Minnesota, the timing could not have been more difficult. I was in the midst of launching Beyonn— Still, Dave urged me not to miss it, my respect for Dave said, “Go”  He was absolutely right. After 15 years of exclusively treating OSA and TMD, I have attended countless lectures and training programs. Yet, this meeting was different. Over two days, Tim Adams delivered an extraordinary presentation that was as practical as it was visionary. His mastery of the subject matter, combined with his groundbreaking work on the Cricket appliance, provided immediate take-home value. I have already incorporated his techniques into my daily protocols, and the impact is tangible. What impressed me most was Tim’s generosity. In an era where many guard their “trade secrets,” he shared openly, giving others the tools to achieve the same level of success he has experienced. That level of professional transparency is rare—and invaluable. Being part of ASBA from its early days, I have always admired Dave’s mission: to elevate dentistry by helping every clinician who is willing to learn. This meeting reinforced why ASBA membership is a must for any dentist ready to look beyond the teeth. The academy’s programs are not just educational—they are transformative, equipping practitioners to deliver a higher standard of care and to grow in ways they never imagined. In short, ASBA delivers on its promise. If you are serious about advancing your clinical skills, expanding your impact, and connecting with innovators who truly care about your success, there is no better place to invest your time.      

Submitted by: Doris A Ferres, DMD, AMD, D-ASBA Practice Name: Ferres Dentistry/Airway and Sleep Solutions Date: 7/22/25 Patient: Laura Starkweather, Female, Adult Condition: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), chronic pain secondary to multiple back surgeries Appliance: HERBST Sleep Appliance Fabricated by: Gergen’s Orthodontic Lab Lab Contact: David Gergen, Owner Clinical Background: Laura is a patient diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and a complex medical history including multiple spinal surgeries resulting in persistent, often debilitating chronic pain. Conventional CPAP therapy has been challenging for her, both in terms of compliance and comfort. Seeking an alternative approach that could manage her OSA while minimizing discomfort, she was fitted with a custom HERBST sleep appliance fabricated by Gergen’s Orthodontic Lab. Night One: Immediate Positive Response Following the initial fitting, Laura wore the HERBST appliance on the first night without simultaneous use of her CPAP. She did not alter any other aspect of her nighttime routine or medication protocol. Despite being in extreme discomfort earlier in the day, she experienced the following: Significant reduction in night wakings: Woke only twice, compared to her usual fragmented sleep. Complete absence of pain: Reported waking up pain-free for the first time in memory. Discontinued pain medication: Remarkably, she did not require any pain medication the entire day following the first use. Sustained comfort: Throughout the following day, even during periods of prolonged sitting (typically painful), she remained free of discomfort. “Despite not changing anything else about my nighttime routine, other than wearing the appliance, I only woke up twice last night… but my utter shock — I was not in pain. I haven’t taken any pain medication today — NONE!!” Night Two: CPAP Reintroduction & Setback The second night, Laura used both the HERBST appliance and her CPAP concurrently. Unfortunately, she experienced: Neck pain and a migraine upon waking Return of discomfort, in stark contrast to her experience with the appliance alone Immediate rejection of CPAP: She proactively contacted her sleep provider and Lincare to discontinue CPAP therapy based on this negative experience Despite the return of upper body pain, her hip pain remained absent, which she described as a tremendous relief. “After waking up so miserable this morning, it was glaringly obvious that CPAP is not for me… The good news is my hips still don’t hurt — for which I am incredibly grateful.”   Summary & Clinical Significance: Laura’s experience with the HERBST sleep appliance has been nothing short of transformative in just two nights of use: Dramatic reduction in chronic pain symptoms Improved sleep quality Elimination of dependency on pain medications (at least temporarily) Clear preference for the appliance over CPAP due to comfort and therapeutic effect Her case exemplifies the broader systemic benefits of airway-centered dental therapy and the potential of mandibular advancement appliances, not only to manage OSA but also to positively impact chronic pain syndromes in select patients. This testimonial underscores the real-world efficacy of the HERBST appliance and highlights its value as a primary therapy for patients who are CPAP-intolerant or who present with complex comorbidities. Doris A Ferres, DMD, AMD, D-ASBA Feres Dentistry/Airway & Sleep Solutions

Sometimes in life, we are given patient cases that bring so much meaning and purpose to what we do in life. Of course, we cannot expect to have slam dunk cases all the time, we cannot guarantee anything in terms of treatment outcome, and we cannot chase unrealistic expectations; however, if we always aim to take our time, do a thorough follow through, and work hard with our patients, the sheer number of successful cases that we will attain will become reality. A Case That Changed Everything I want to share one of the most rewarding and unbelievable dental sleep medicine cases I’ve been blessed to do in my life. This is one of those cases that seemed so complex and difficult, and I had no idea how much this was going to change the patient’s health and quality of life. Yep, this is one of those goosebump magnifying and emotionally charged cases. I hope the reader understands that all of us who put our patients as top priority can duplicate this in their own practice. We are not only saving lives, but we are also making life purpose and meaning with what we do in our profession. (Note: this patient wanted me to share all of his medical history, records, and journey. He knew I’m an educator and wants his story shared and only use his initials to refer to him) Meet D.P. D.P. came to see me early January 2025. He came from the Department of Labor, Nuclear Test site facilities near Area 51 in Southern Nevada. He came in with such a complex medical history and stories that were so intriguing, they can make the listener want to eat popcorn and hear him out for days (better than a movie!) He is a veteran and worked for the Federal Government with top security access and those very, very interesting accounts of the projects he was involved with (only ones he’s permitted to share of course). Sadly, though, 90% of his colleagues have already passed away, especially working at nuclear weapon testing sites. Most had cancer and unusual pulmonary and other rare systemic diseases due to their work. His Condition D.P. had untreated sleep apnea, polycythemia, silicosis, severe daytime sleepiness, brain fog, memory loss, and several blood panel issues. His quality of life was poor, and he presented almost hopeless feelings about his health conditions. He had a disturbing experience he shared regarding his PAP therapy journey. He had been diagnosed with sleep apnea by a local sleep physician in Las Vegas years ago. This sleep physician was the only choice given to the Department of Labor. After so many failed CPAP, BiPAP, etc. trials, the sleep physician lied to him and told him it’s his only choice and that he was doing just fine. On PAP therapy, his oxygen still desaturated to 81%, and he was told by the physician that it was normal. The physician also told him that it’s his fault for not trying hard enough with CPAP and to just do better with using PAP therapy. Gaslighting and Frustration D.P. googled about hypoxemia and oxygen desaturation, and he confronted the physician about 81%. The physician double downed and told him he has no other choice and again, he had to try harder with the PAP machine. In addition to the sleep physician, he had seen a pulmonologist and an ENT for all his breathing problems. The pulmonologist had done several scans and comprehensive tests, like rhinomametry and airflow tests. With his blood panel issues and polycythemia record due to hypoxia and all his breathing issues, he also had seen an excellent cardiologist at the Department of Labor. A Promise and a Plan So, with no promises, except that I will do everything I possibly can for him, I told him to please be patient with me and that we will work together through it all. He was emotional when I told him that. I also spent much time discussing his brain fog and memory issues. I cited studies from Stanford Medical and other universities regarding beta and tau amyloid proteins, alpha-synuclein proteins, and meningeal wash with cerebral spinal fluid in connection with sleep apnea to memory, dementia, and other neurological issues like Parkinson’s. When I explained the studies to him, his eyes lit up and it was like he had newfound hope. He said to me, “Doc, my wife has been noticing that I have been deteriorating. She has to send me reminders more often, and I am so tired and getting more forgetful all the time.” We explained about all the fragmented sleep and oxygen desaturations disrupting the meningeal wash and what the literature says about the proteins that build up in the brain. We also told him there’s no promises about improving his memory, brain fog, morning headaches, but it sure helps if we can successfully address his sleep apnea and oxygen issues. Since he already explained he is completely PAP therapy intolerant, and he can’t use it for more than 3–4 hours and only a few nights per week anyway, we recommended he use supplemental oxygen at setting of 2 with his customized PDAC-approved Herbst oral appliance. He made a new appointment with his pulmonologist and was able to obtain that. A Life-Changing First Week The first week after delivery of his Herbst appliance, he and his wife both made a surprise visit to our office. They wanted to share how dramatic of an improvement he had with the following: Snoring gone No more gasping No more choking Wakes up refreshed Memory and clarity improved substantially His wearable (watch with sleep app) all showed dramatic improvements They couldn’t believe that such a difference was possible. The Follow-Up That Gave Us Goosebumps Fast forward to two months later — I was lecturing at an event held by Cold War Patriots and Veterans, and he came up to me and said: “Boy, do I have news for you! I am going to send you all the reports and scan results I got with my pulmonologist and cardiologist. They were blown away. I also have lost nearly 20 pounds and I followed all of your sleep hygiene and nutrition tips.” He reiterated that his pulmonologist and cardiologist were both baffled by all the test results and how incredible his health has improved. His red blood cells, hematocrit levels, erythrocytes — all normalized as his hypoxia issues completely resolved. The Sleep Test That Said It All Being overly excited, we wanted him to do an efficacy and titration sleep test before the usual 90-day wait. His results were mind blowing: Lowest O2: 91.4% AHI: 0.0 REM Sleep: Improved to 25% He remembers vividly dreaming Please note that we also titrated his appliance once, on the third week after delivery — but it was only 1 mm anteriorly. We did so at that point because he reported his wife told him his snoring improved a lot, but still had a tiny little bit. So, this shows the power of titration. The Clinical Pearls The pearls of this case show the power of titration, the power of Herbst arm appliances, and the power of Rickett’s sibilant phonetic bite. D.P.’s headaches and TMJ all improved with this appliance, and the added supplemental O₂ made his oxygen levels stay above 91.4% throughout the night. He had been tracking his sleep on his watch app as well, and the oxygen levels remain consistent on the reports. Also, his heart rate remained calm throughout sleep at night, with the highest being in the upper 70s — allowing him to stay in parasympathetic tone rather than in a sympathetic overload with fight-or-flight response. (See reports – photos he had brought over to our office – with his name blocked out)   Closing Reflections D.P. and his wife have both become such advocates for dental sleep medicine. He wants me to teach, share, and write about his life-changing story. It is with such pleasure that I am able to do so. It is also because I have the American Sleep and Breathing Academy (ASBA) — a group of the most talented and brilliant dentists in sleep medicine — working hand in hand with me to get the word out. I am more than happy to share my recipe at ASBA courses and study club.There are over 1 billion people worldwide who are underdiagnosed and undertreated for OSA. Let’s make a difference! Therefore, I hope to see all of you who will join me in that effort at the next study club course I’m teaching in Minnesota — coming up in August, 2025! I credit David Gergen, the Federal Government for PDAC Herbst studies, and Mark Brnovich. — Dr. Jerry Hu

For Our Children By Dr. Jerry Hu As responsible parents, there’s nothing we wouldn’t do for the health of our children. Sometimes, when it comes to finding the best treatment plan in airway and sleep for kids, it can be difficult, challenging, and even confusing to navigate the field of pediatric sleep medicine. For example, orthodontists for years did serial extractions and distalization claiming that process has no effect on airway and sleep breathing. Moreover, to this day, there are still pediatricians who believe children will just “grow out” of their breathing problems, and recommend simply monitoring conditions as best option. Depending on what specialty of field, there are doctors who also advocate for invasive surgery as best course of action. Sadly, due to the entire healthcare industry and landscape becoming more and more corporate controlled, the “quick, easy, and volume- quota” model will only expand in the future. That being said, there are also hero’s who carry the torch of non- invasive treatment options and try to educate the masses on predictable and effective choices for pediatric airway treatment. The ASBA, with the background and history of Rickett’s genius inventions and treatment modalities, (plus the skills and talent of Gergen’s Orthodontic lab, which pioneered the fabrication process of the best made airway and epigenetic appliances) is the leading dental sleep academy in the world. Currently, countries such as India, Chile, and Australia have government officials and/or doctors working with the Academy to expand education internationally. Additionally, the Federal government, Department of Veteran Affairs, and Active Duty TriCare all regard the Academy as the recognized accreditation body for dental sleep medicine. Therefore, I am so very honored to teach among the best, such as Dr. Francisco Eraso, Timothy Adams and Felix Liao. In this positive reflection, I want to share the airway treatment journey of one of my own kids, my youngest, Warren. As a premature baby, he had an uphill battle from the get go. With severe retrognathia, mouth breathing, midface and skeletal deficiencies, cranial strain/distortion, and torsion issues, he needed much care and a complex plan of treatment. Not every night, but almost all from 3-6 years old, I witnessed him gasping, choking, and suffocating in bed. He had rampant allergies, allergic shiners and extensive daytime sleepiness. Wanting him to keep up in school, be able to join sports and improve his memory, I worked on his nutrition, took him to the Amen clinic, and tried everything I could find, including trying those rubber starter appliances with myofunctional therapy. The Amen clinic identified with his brain scans that he has a diamond shaped presentation around his basal ganglia, and they recommended certain type of memory exercises and reflex activities- like jump rope, ping pong and paddle ball. Also, they recommended serotonin, GABA, and other homeopathic supplements. All that did help improve his quality of life, but it didn’t really “fix” the main problems and breathing – airway problems, which stemmed from his own phenotype, anatomy, and physiology. As my own knowledge and experience was growing hand in hand with his growth and development, I tried so many modalities of treatment. It wasn’t until I worked with Gergen’s Orthodontic Lab and looking into Rickett’s creations that something really started to work. It changed the trajectory of his growth. David Gergen also designed, fabricated and customized Warren’s Bionator, doing all the appropriate rolling, bending and adjustments of the wires and looking at proper fit and comfort to make sure he is compliant and progressing biomimetically. Only three months into treatment using Gergen’s appliance with Rickett’s principles, Warren finally started to have restful sleep. Those gasping issues, sleep fragmentation issues and daytime sleepiness problems all disappeared! His grades in school also had gone up, as well as standardized tests. He developed a deep interest in soccer, and as a proud dad, I write that most recently, he won the Alaska Airlines state championship with his team and he played the entire game. His coach said that he couldn’t even recognize Warren on the field. He gave him the “most improved player ” of the year award. I couldn’t be more proud. Mainly, I am so thankful, I was able to make this life trajectory change in my own son, using non-invasive, biomimetic treatment from Gergen’s Ortho Lab. (See before and after photos below) It is important for those reading this article to do proper due diligence in working with people and companies in dental sleep medicine. Some charge exorbitant fees and make false promises or overpromise. Some are pushy and great at sales pitch, and some just want volume and speed. We owe it to our kids, the future and generations to come to provide healthcare with sound ethics and accountability. Often times when it comes to airway expansion and growth treatment in kids, the long term failures come due to greed, fame recognition, and perpetuation of false claims. I know that ASBA will educate responsibly and be a shiny light and example as a dedicated anatomy to improve sleep medicine worldwide. Working with Gergen’s Lab and Ricketts appliances , the world is set for all of us to move the needle forward. Dr. Jerry Hu