Dr. Donald R. Dexter, Jr. completed his BS in Psychology at Lewis and Clark College and earned his DMD at Oregon Health Sciences University School of Dentistry. He has advanced training in dental sleep medicine and treatment of TMD from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Dexter is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine (ABDSM), and a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, American Academy of Sleep Medicine, American Academy of Craniofacial Pain, American Dental Association, Oregon Dental Association, Lane County Dental Society, and the Academy of General Dentistry.
Born and raised in Oregon, Dr. Dexter is an enrolled member of the Klamath Tribes of southern Oregon, the first member of his family to attend and graduate from college, and the first member of any of the federally recognized tribes of Oregon to attend and graduate from dental school.
Dr. Dexter has a broad range of interests beyond the field of dentistry and medicine. He has a passion for the arts; particularly enjoying photography, architecture, and the design world. A proud supporter of local artists, he hosts quarterly photography shows in his office. Additionally, Dr. Dexter takes delight in food and cooking. He is a firm believer that food not only nourishes the body, but also the soul. Above all else though, what Dr. Dexter enjoys most is the constant joy of spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Dr. Dexter is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine (ABDSM) and the first dentist to receive this status in Eugene, Oregon and Lane County. The ABDSM is the leading testing organization in the United States for dentists who treat snoring and obstructive sleep apnea with oral appliance therapy. This designation is the gold standard in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea by dentists and represents a commitment to provide the highest level of care within this field of practice.
Out of professional curiosity, in 2008, I attended a multi-discipline medical symposium on sleep apnea. A cardiologist spoke of the cardiac risks associated with sleep apnea and recommended that attendees return home and have a sleep study. I did, and I was surprised to learn that I suffered from mild sleep apnea. I had none of the common risk factors, apart from the higher risk associated with being male. My first-hand experience of failed CPAP therapy led me into the field of oral appliance therapy for obstructive sleep apnea. My pursuit of better treatment for myself inspired me to seek and obtain the skills, knowledge, and qualifications to become a practicing sleep dentist for the benefit of others.
The medicine wheel, sometimes known as the sacred hoop, embodies the Four Directions which symbolize dimensions of health and the cycles of life. The presence of the medicine wheel in my practice is a reminder of the fact that when you live your life in a circular pattern, there is no beginning or end. Its a reminder to live in health and wellness, and treat others with the dignity and respect that you would like in return.
The four directions are represented by the four sacred colors of yellow, red, black, and white. The east represents the sun and is yellow; the south represents the warmth and vitality of life blood and is red; the west represents the stars and the darkness in the night sky and is black; the north represents the purity of snow and is white.
Closure and blockage of the airway during sleep result in disruption of sleep and a drop in oxygen. These events can cause microarousals, respiratory distress, increased heart rate and blood pressure, and disrupted non-restorative sleep.
Because of the ease and comfort of use, oral appliance therapy has a higher compliance rate when compared to CPAP therapy. This significant increase in compliance is a factor in determining the effectiveness of care.
Oral appliances are also comfortable, quiet, portable, easy to use and care for, and convenient for travel. Additionally, they do not restrict movements while sleeping, work with any sleeping position, can be used for patients who are CPAP intolerant, do not require electricity, and have no consumable parts to replace.