Sleep is My Waking Passion

Exploring Sleep in Perimenopause: A Dentist’s Insight featuring Dr. Mary Burns

Alison Kole Season 4 Episode 11

 I am thrilled to have Dr. Mary E. Burns share her perspective on sleep changes in women, particularly during perimenopause and menopause. Dr. Burns is a highly accomplished, board-certified orthodontist with over 40 years of experience in the dental field. She has spent 26 years in private practice, specializing in adult orthodontics, interdisciplinary care, and the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).


In this episode, we highlight the increased risk of sleep apnea in women and the importance of addressing sleep quality. Dr. Burns explains various orthodontic approaches to airway expansion and emphasizes the need to consider sleep disorders beyond apnea events. They also discuss the underreporting of sleep symptoms in women and the need for a paradigm shift in sleep medicine.