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…
Mastering Time Management in Dental Hygiene Care
By: Lee Ann Brady, DMDThis topic originally appeared on PankeyGram.org. Dr. Brady granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. Dental hygiene appointments are the first opportunity to deliver your patients high-quality, personalized dental care. They offer a unique chance to connect with patients while addressing their oral health needs. However, with limited working hours…
What Your Team Says in the First 30 Seconds Determines Everything
By: Dr. David Rice Ask most doctors or office managers what their #1 goal is when the phone rings, and you’ll get what we rarely get in dentistry: total agreement — “To schedule the patient.” Now, I would agree, with a twist, “To schedule a lifelong patient who feels compelled to tell their friends, their…
New Year, Same Mouth: A Dentist’s Realistic Approach to Resolutions
By: Dr. Sable Muntean January arrives, and with it comes the usual flood of resolutions: eat cleaner, work out more, drink less, reinvent your entire existence, etc. But as dentists, we know a universal truth: Most people make big resolutions… and their mouths stay exactly the same. So instead of another unrealistic “new year, new…
When the Same Problems Repeat, It Is Not the People
By: Garrett Wilson Let’s face it. One of your core responsibilities as a leader is navigating people and business challenges at the same time. When the same problems show up month after month, the issue is no longer external. It is internal. This is not a workforce crisis. It is an operating model problem. Dentistry…
Limitations of Digital Dentistry: When Technology Falls Short
By: Kelley Brummett, DMD This Article Originally Appeared in PankeyGram.Org. Dr. Brummet granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. As digital dentistry continues to revolutionize the way we practice dentistry, the functional capacity of the new tools, ease of use, and efficiency make them indispensable for modern practice workflows. However, even the most advanced technologies…
The Freedom Framework Week Three: The Power of Flow
Creating Freedom Through Structure, Alignment, and Leadership By: Candy Velez, CRDHIgniteDDS Dental Hygiene Coach Missed Week One or Two? Check them out here:Week One: Breaking the Invisible HandcuffsWeek Two: Releasing Money Blocks & Embracing Stewardship Once you’ve broken the invisible handcuffs and reframed your relationship with money, the next step is where everything comes together…
Meaningful Ways New Dentists Can Show Gratitude to Their Team During the Holidays
…Without Spending Much Money By: Ronda Holman The holiday season is a perfect opportunity for new dentists to strengthen team culture and show appreciation—without stretching the budget. In a dental practice, genuine gestures speak louder than expensive gifts. Here are simple, memorable ways to express gratitude that your employees will truly appreciate. Write Personal, Handwritten…
Endo Made Simple Part 3: Obturation
By: Michael Eid Missed Parts 1 & 2? Check Them Out Here: Step 1: Final Canal Check High-Yield Tip: If a 10 doesn’t pass now, it won’t after obturation. Step 2: Dry the Canal High-Yield Tip: Moisture = weak sealer seal and post-op sensitivity. Step 3: Select the Master Cone High-Yield Tip: No tug-back = poor…
How Dentists Can Navigate Holiday Parties Without ‘Talking Teeth’ All Night
By: Dr. Sable Muntean Holiday parties are supposed to be fun—good food, good music, good company. But if you’re a dentist, you know how it really goes: You walk in the door, grab a drink, and within five minutes someone is pointing at a molar and saying, “Since you’re here… can I ask you something?”…
The PPO Trap for Startups & Acquisitions: Moving into Ownership in 2026? This Is for You!
By: Angela Holland, Founder of Preferred Dental SolutionsInsurance Expert and Strategy Consultant for Dental PracticesPreferredDentalSolutions.com Insurance Decisions That Can Make or Break New Dental Practices If you’re launching or buying a dental practice, insurance decisions can make or break your first three years. Too many new owners sign onto every PPO “just to get patients…