Dr. Steve Carstensen, DDS, is the co-founder of Premier Sleep Associates, a dental practice dedicated to treating obstructive sleep apnea and snoring.
After graduating from Baylor College of Dentistry in 1983, he and his wife, Midge, a dental hygienist, started a private practice of general dentistry in Texas before moving to native Seattle in 1990.
In 1996 he achieved Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentists in recognition of over 3000 hours of advanced education in dentistry, with an increasing amount of time in both practice and classwork devoted to sleep medicine.
A lifelong educator himself, Dr. Steve is currently the Sleep Education Director for The Pankey Institute. As a volunteer leader for the American Dental Association, he was a Program Chairman and General Chairman for the Annual Session, the biggest educational event the Association sponsors. For the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine he’s been a Board Member, Secretary Treasurer, and President-Elect. In 2006 he achieved Certification by the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine.
In 2014, he became the founding Editor-in-Chief of Dental Sleep Practice magazine, a publication for medical professionals treating sleep patients. He is a frequent contributor to webinars and other online education in this field.
Breathing and Airway Support in Pediatric Dentistry
By: Steve Carstensen DDSThis Topic Originally Appeared on PankeyGram.Org. Dr. Carstensen granted permission for igniteDDS to share with…
Airway Dentistry: Making a Difference for Patients’ Wellness
By: Steve Carstensen, DDS This Topic Originally Appeared on PankeyGram.Org. Dr. Carstensen granted permission for igniteDDS to share…
Improving the Quality of Life for Patients with Sleep Apnea
By: Steve Carstensen DDSTopic originally appeared on Pankey.org: Dr. Carstensen allowed permission for igniteDDS to share with…
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment: Oral Appliances And CPAP
By: Todd Sander, DMDTopic Originally Appeared on PankeyGram.Org. Dr. Sander granted igniteDDS permission to share with our readers. Patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) look for alternatives to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or an integrated approach that would improve the quality of their lives and is easier to adapt. Clinicians struggle because most…
Ghosted by Your Dentist: When Poor Communication Becomes Patient Abandonment
Understanding Patient Abandonment – Lessons from Dr. A.R. By: Candy Velez – CRDH, BSDH Imagine calling your dentist’s office to schedule an appointment, only to discover the office is permanently closed with no way to retrieve your records. Suddenly, you are left without a provider, without guidance, and without access to your dental history. This…
No More Drama: How Clear Agreements Create a Thriving, Accountable Dental Team
By: Dawn Patrick, Dental Practice Coach + Director of Operations IgniteDDS Managing a dental practice comes with its fair share of challenges—especially when it comes to holding your team accountable. Too often, practice owners and managers find themselves frustrated when tasks aren’t completed, patient care falls through the cracks, or team members don’t meet expectations….
Mastering Panadent Dento-Facial Analyzer Technique
By: Lee Ann Brady DMDTopic Originally Appeared on PankeyGram.Org. Dr. Brady granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. Mounting the maxillary models in three reference planes to the hinge axis and acquiring the esthetic information of occlusal and incisal planes are important both diagnostically and when sending information to the lab. Achieving both…
The Most Powerful Shield in Dentistry—Is Yours Full of Holes?
Inadequate Record-Keeping – Lessons from Dr. A.R. By: Candy Velez – CRDH, BSDH In the last blog, we explored Dr. A.R.’s failure to conduct a comprehensive periodontal evaluation and how that oversight compromised patient care and legal protection. But charting alone is not enough—if documentation is incomplete, vague, or missing critical details, it fails to…
The Benefits of Accepting Dental Insurance at Your Dental Practice
By: Angela Holland In today’s competitive healthcare landscape, offering dental insurance as a payment option can be a game-changer for your practice. While it may require additional administrative work, the benefits far outweigh the challenges. Here’s why accepting dental insurance can be a win-win for both your practice and your patients. 1. Attract More Patients…
The Principles of “mise-en-place” for the Dental Office
By: Dr. Savanah Craig I have become inspired by the book “Work Clean” by Dan Charnas. The book takes a look at the idea of “mise-en-place” which is taught to cooks, culinary students, and chefs around the world. “Mise-en-place” essentially means everything in its place, but Dan Chanas’ book takes a deeper dive into how…
Feel the Difference of Innovation: OptraGate® 2 Brings Comfort and Efficiency to the Dental Practice
By: Ivoclar The Ivoclar Group, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of integrated solutions for high-quality dental applications with an extensive product and systems portfolio for dentists, dental technicians and dental hygienists, presents: OptraGate® 2: the enhanced version of their successful product, OptraGate®, which provides ample access to the treatment field and supports relative isolation…
Maximizing Insurance Reimbursement: The Power of Clinical Notes Over Narratives
By: Dawn Patrick, Dental Practice Coach + Director of Operations IgniteDDS Submitting dental insurance claims can be a time-consuming and frustrating process if not done correctly. Many practices struggle with claim rejections and delays due to missing documentation, incorrect coding, or vague narratives. These errors lead to longer wait times for payments, increased administrative work,…
Tooth Extractions: Simple vs. Surgical Procedures for Dental Students
By: Michael Eid Tooth extractions are typically a “last resort” option when there are no other better alternatives. However, you quickly realize that not all extractions are the same—understanding the distinctions between simple and surgical extractions is crucial. This article explains the indications, techniques, and importance of not only knowing how but WHEN to use…