UP Manila Introduces Dental Sleep Medicine Courses
The University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) has taken a pioneering step by integrating dental sleep medicine courses into its undergraduate program and continuing education. This move makes UPM the first institution in the Philippines to offer a formal curriculum in this emerging dental field.
Dr. Michelle Segarra, the recently reappointed dean of the UP College of Dentistry (UPCD), shared these developments during a lecture-workshop. She emphasized that UPM, as the country’s premier health sciences university, is uniquely positioned to lead in dental sleep medicine, an area focused on treating sleep-related breathing disorders.
Building Expertise and Collaboration in Dentistry
According to Segarra, incorporating dental sleep medicine will enrich the college’s curriculum and equip future dentists to work closely with physicians and allied health professionals. This collaboration aims to enhance patient care and outcomes.
In January 2026, six UPCD faculty members will undergo intensive training in sleep medicine at Khon Kaen University in Thailand. Upon their return, the university plans to launch short dental sleep medicine courses by August next year.
Understanding Dental Sleep Medicine
Dental sleep medicine, first recognized in 1999, addresses sleep-related breathing disorders such as snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) using oral appliances. The specialty also covers conditions like sleep-related orofacial pain, dry mouth (xerostomia), excessive saliva production (hypersalivation), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and bruxism, which is teeth grinding or jaw clenching.
These disorders, often unnoticed in their early stages, can lead to serious health problems including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and even premature death if left untreated.
Support and Vision from Experts
The initiative enjoys strong support from faculty, alumni, and health experts. Dr. Agnes Tirona-Remulla, director of the Philippine Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, highlighted the essential role of dentists in sleep health. She explained, “In a perfect world, everybody will go to the dentist, but not everybody will go to an ENT or sleep physician. By the time they refer to us, the patient is very symptomatic and we had missed that earlier part where prevention can still be done.”
Remulla advocates for dentists to help bridge the gap between diagnosis and treatment through early detection. She envisions a comprehensive program involving dentists, psychologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists to provide multidisciplinary care for sleep disorders.
Alumni Leading the Charge
Dr. Maria Therese Galang-Boquiren, a UPCD alumna and internationally recognized expert in orthodontics and dental sleep medicine, is also a key contributor. She said, “For the Philippines, I wanted to give back to UP because UP has led me to the career that I have right now. So, when I had the chance to take a sabbatical, I didn’t really have to think much; I knew that I wanted to share what I could share with my alma mater.”
Boquiren currently serves as professor and director of Predoctoral Orthodontics at the University of Illinois Chicago’s College of Dentistry. She is among a select few dual Diplomates of the American Board of Orthodontics and the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine.
Future Prospects for Dental Sleep Medicine in the Philippines
If fully implemented, UPCD’s program could open doors for research, training, and the certification of dental sleep medicine specialists. This would position the university as a leader in dental innovation alongside other Southeast Asian countries.
For more news and updates on dental sleep medicine, visit Filipinokami.com.
