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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…
Dr. William Chen Shares a Clinical Mistake and the Importance of Digital Dentistry
Host: Dr. Tanya Sue MaestasGuest: Dr. William ChenEdited By: Candy Velez CRDH We had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Bill Chen, a highly successful dentist based in Sebring, Florida. Dr. Chen shares his insights and experiences, including a clinical mistake he made and how it relates to the world of digital dentistry. Building a…
How to Use Splints in Your Treatment Plan
By: Dr. Leonard A. Hess, DDSClinical Director, The Dawson AcademyThe Article Originally Appeared on TheDawsonAcademy.com Hi, everybody, my name’s Dr. Leonard Hess. I’m one of the senior faculty members at the Dawson Academy. I’d like to spend a few minutes talking with you about where splints, or occlusal splints, work into a treatment plan when…
Not Sure What To Do With Your Career in Dentistry? So, Now What?
By: Dr. Bri Torgerson I’m Dr. Bri Torgerson and I am a General Dentist working in Saint Louis, Missouri. I guess I’ll use the term “working” lightly. The truth is, I’ve been unemployed for the majority of this year, and not necessarily by choice. I went back and forth about writing this, about slicing my…
Importance of Communication & Respect in Dental Teams: From the Perspective of a Dental Assistant
Interviewer: Tanya Sue Maestas, DDSInterviewee: Ronda HolmanEdited By: Candy Velez – CRDH, BSDH Today, we explore the vital role played by dental assistants, shedding light on the often-unnoticed significance of effective communication and respect within dental teams. Our guest, Ronda Holman, shares her experiences and insights, emphasizing the impact these factors can have on the…
Why am I Experiencing Clinical Failures?
By: Dr. Leonard A. Hess, DDSClinical Director, The Dawson AcademyThe Article Originally Appeared on TheDawsonAcademy.com If we’ve been practicing for any length of time at all, we’re going to see some clinical failures. I think sometimes the perception is if we’re faculty at The Dawson Academy, that it never happens, and you should know that…
Navigating Professional Boundaries & Fair Compensation with Dental Assistant, Ronda Holman
In the intricate dance of professional boundaries & fair compensation,dental assistants often find themselves walking a tightrope. Interviewer: Tanya Sue Maestas, DDSInterviewee: Ronda HolmanEdited By: Candy Velez – CRDH, BSDH Today we explore the financial mistakes that dental assistants can make and the valuable lessons we can all learn from them. Ronda Holman shares her…
5 Best Practices to Retain the Patients in Your New Acquisition
Implementing best practices can make a substantial difference in helping retain the patients in your new acquisition and existing team loyalty and trust throughout the transition. By: Dr. David Rice Buying a dental practice is the biggest financial decision you’ll make as a young dentist. Do it well, and it will fuel your future. Buy…
What Script Do I Need To Order an MRI for a Patient?
By: Dr. Leonard A. Hess, DDSClinical Director, The Dawson AcademyArticle Originally Appeared on TheDawsonAcademy.com So what script do we need if we order an MRI on our patient? Now, it used to be, several years ago, that MRI was kind of the gold standard for us to look inside the joint. That is not the…
Dental Assistants: The Unsung Heroes of Dentistry
Today, we shine a spotlight on the often-overlooked heroes of dental care: dental assistants. Interviewer: Tanya Sue Maestas, DDSInterviewee: Ronda HolmanEdited By: Candy Velez – CRDH, BSDH Through the eyes of Ronda Holman, a seasoned dental assistant with 24+ years of experience, we explore the challenges, triumphs, and invaluable roles these professionals play in dentistry….
Sedation Dentistry in a General Dental Practice
By: Savannah Craig In a world full of dental phobia, sedation has become an increasingly popular option for dentists to offer their patients. There are many options for types of sedation that can be offered to patients, and each is carefully regulated by state dental boards. I hope to educate patients about what options are…


