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…
The Tip Of The Iceberg
By: Eric Recker You get that call. Again. Lately, it feels like it’s every week. Your hygienist isn’t coming in because of a migraine, a sick kid, another illness, a family emergency, a last-minute appointment they forgot to tell you about, or some other vague reason. You look at your schedule and realize you have…
How Dentistry Affects the People You Love: Part 3
The Guilt Dental Professionals Feel Toward Their Partners and Families By: Dr. Sable Muntean Guilt is a common, yet often unspoken, challenge for dental professionals. It creeps in when you miss family events, work long hours, or feel emotionally unavailable at home. Over time, this guilt can quietly affect your mental health and strain your…
Oral Appliance Therapy for Sleep-Disordered Breathing
By: Mark T. Murphy, DDS This article originally appeared on PankeyGram.Org. Dr. Murphy granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. Dentists are in a unique position to recognize the critical role sleep plays in systemic health. Research has confirmed that untreated sleep apnea significantly increases the risk of: With more consumer wearables tracking sleep…
Top 5 Mistakes New Dentists Make When Buying Their First Practice & How to Avoid Them
By: Dr. David Rice Buying your first dental practice is one of the most exciting — and daunting — decisions you’ll ever make. When you do it right, it’s your launchpad to fulfillment, wealth, and a self-determined future. When you do it wrong, it can trap you in stress, burnout, and financial struggle. As we…
How Dentistry Affects the People You Love: Part 2
Why Dental Professionals Struggle With Emotional Availability By: Dr. Sable Muntean After a long day at the office, it’s natural to feel drained. But when fatigue becomes emotional distance, relationships begin to suffer. Emotional availability—the ability to be fully present and engaged with the people you love—is critical for maintaining strong connections, yet it’s often…
The Year-End Bonus Headache No One Warned You About
By: Garrett Wilson As we head into the start of 2026, it’s worth reflecting on what happened in 2025 so we don’t repeat the same mistakes. Few topics created more tension at year-end than bonuses and holiday gifts. If you spend any time in dental social media groups, you saw it firsthand—frustration from employees and…
Beautiful Smile Design Case using a Fully Digital Workflow
By: John C. Cranham, DDS This topic originally appeared on Pankey.org. Dr. Cranham granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. My professional journey in dentistry has been deeply influenced by my time in the Pankey Institute and other continuing education courses. My early career focused on integrating cosmetic digital dentistry with sound occlusal concepts….
Want Better Results? Make It Easier
Remove Friction – Unlock Consistency By: Candy Velez, CRDH, BSDH, IgniteDDS Dental Hygiene Coach The Question That Changes Everything How Are We Making It Easy? Most dental teams want to do excellent work. They want to accurately diagnose, thoroughly document, and provide care that truly supports long-term health. Yet despite good intentions, consistency often slips….
How Dentistry Affects the People You Love: Part 1
How Dentistry Quietly Changes Your Relationships By: Dr. Sable Muntean Dentistry is a deeply rewarding profession. Every day, you transform smiles, ease pain, and build trust with your patients. But behind the satisfaction lies a hidden cost—your personal relationships. If you’ve ever felt tension at home after a long day, noticed that your partner seems…
Busy ≠ Profitable: The February Reality Check Every Practice Owner Needs
By: Dr. David Rice While January often feels like a fresh start – schedules filling fast – production firing on all cylinders – and that sense that this is the year everything finally clicks … Like our diet and gym new year’s resolutions – February arrives and … The practice is still busy, but stress…