Early Dental Risk Screening for Pediatric Sleep-Disordered Breathing

This is a prospective, cross-sectional observational study designed to evaluate the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ) as a screening tool for sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) risk in a pediatric dental setting. Children aged 8-13 years will be classified as low- or high-risk for SDB based on PSQ scores and compared using physiologic sleep parameters obtained from a wearable, FDA-cleared home sleep monitoring device, alongside psychosocial assessments and craniofacial measurements derived from lateral cephalometric radiographs. Findings will inform the feasibility and accuracy of incorporating validated SDB screening into routine pediatric dental care.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA); Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB); Early Risk Screening for Sleep Disordered Breathing in a Dental Setting
• Intervention / Treatment: Device: SleepImage Ring

Detailed Description

This study is a prospective, cross-sectional, single-site observational cohort study conducted in a pediatric dental clinic setting. Children aged 8-13 years receiving care at the University of North Carolina Adams School of Dentistry Pediatric Dentistry Clinic will be screened for SDB risk using the PSQ and classified into low-risk or high-risk groups based on established PSQ scoring thresholds.

Following eligibility confirmation and informed consent/assent, enrolled participants will complete all study procedures over a period of up to three weeks. Group classification is determined at enrollment and no randomization, intervention, or treatment assignment occurs.

All participants will complete baseline assessments at Visit 1 (week 0), which will occur either immediately before or immediately after their scheduled dental appointment. Baseline assessments include validated psychosocial questionnaires, vitals (height, weight), and airway assessments (Mallampati and Brodsky scores). Participants will then be provided with a wearable home sleep monitoring ring and instructed to wear the device during sleep for a minimum of three consecutive nights over a period of up to three weeks. The three-week window is included to allow flexibility for scheduling, missed nights, or device return delays, which can occur in pediatric studies despite the low burden of the wearable device. Despite this, participants will be instructed to wear the device for three consecutive nights whenever possible, with the extended window used only as a contingency to ensure complete data collection.

Objective physiologic sleep data will be collected passively through the wearable monitoring device and transmitted via a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform. Study staff will conduct brief adherence check-in phone calls at approximately one and two weeks after device distribution to support compliance and address technical questions. No study-related procedures occur during these calls beyond adherence monitoring.

Study participation will conclude at Visit 2 (week 3), during which the wearable device will be returned, and study staff will assess for any adverse events or participant concerns. Participants identified as high risk for SDB based on screening and physiologic indicators will be provided with standard referral information for further clinical evaluation, consistent with routine clinical care. No diagnostic determinations or therapeutic interventions are delivered as part of this study.

A clinically obtained lateral cephalometric radiograph within six months prior to or within 6 months after the baseline study visit or enrollment will be used when available in the electronic medical record. The radiograph closest to the baseline visit or time of enrollment will be selected for evaluation if multiple radiographs are clinically available.

This observational design allows for evaluation of the agreement of PSQ-based SDB risk classification (high vs low) and objective physiological sleep measures in a pediatric dental setting (Aim 1), BMI and airway assessment correlates of SDB risk (Aim 2), psychosocial correlates of SDB risk (Aim 3), and exploratory analysis of craniofacial features associated with SDB risk classification (Aim 4).

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 60

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Parker Norman, DMD, ML; Phone Number: 919-537-3956; Email: parkern@ad.unc.edu

Study Locations

• United States
  • North Carolina
    • Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States, 27514
      • UNC Adams School of Dentistry
      • Contact: Parker Norman, DMD, ML; Phone Number: 919-537-3956; Email: parkern@ad.unc.edu

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study will enroll children aged 8-13 years receiving care at the University of North Carolina Adams School of Dentistry Pediatric Dentistry Clinic. Participants will be classified into low-risk or high-risk groups for sleep-disordered breathing based on parent-reported Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire scores (<0.33 vs ≥0.33).

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Ages 8-13 years old
• American Society of Anesthesiologists Class I or II
• Ability to read and understand the English or Spanish language
• Ability to assent, with parent/legal guardian able to provide informed consent
• Access to a smartphone capable of supporting the wearable monitoring application

Exclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of a craniofacial syndrome or condition known to significantly alter craniofacial morphology
• Prior diagnosis of sleep disordered breathing and/or obstructive sleep apnea
• History of adenotonsillectomy
• Prior or current orthodontic treatment
• Prior orthognathic surgery

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
Cohort A; High Risk; Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire > or = 0.33	Device: SleepImage Ring; Objective physiologic sleep measures will be obtained from a wearable home monitor sent home with patients in a pediatric dentistry setting.
Cohort B; Low Risk; Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire < 0.33	Device: SleepImage Ring; Objective physiologic sleep measures will be obtained from a wearable home monitor sent home with patients in a pediatric dentistry setting.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Apnea-Hypopnea Index at 4% Desaturation, Total (events/hour)	Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) is an automated measure of Apnea/Hypopnea events per hour and is FDA-cleared to aid diagnosis of Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) in both children and adults following the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) categorization (mild, moderate, severe). SleepImage values for AHI (sAHI) at 4% desaturation and for total events will be reported. In children, AHI < 1.0 corresponds to no sleep apnea, AHI 1.0 to < 5.0 corresponds to mild sleep apnea, AHI 5.0 to < 10.0 corresponds to moderate sleep apnea, and AHI of 10 or more corresponds to severe sleep apnea. Scale starts at 0 and has no finite end point. SleepImage measured AHI will be reported (sAHI).	From enrollment to the final study visit at 3 weeks
Apnea-Hypopnea Index at 3% Desaturation, Total (events/hour)	Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) is an automated measure of Apnea/Hypopnea events per hour and is FDA-cleared to aid diagnosis of Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) in both children and adults following AASM categorization (mild, moderate, severe). SleepImage values for AHI (sAHI) at 3% desaturation and for total events will be reported. In children, AHI < 1.0 corresponds to no sleep apnea, AHI 1.0 to < 5.0 corresponds to mild sleep apnea, AHI 5.0 to < 10.0 corresponds to moderate sleep apnea, and AHI of 10 or more corresponds to severe sleep apnea. Scale starts at 0 and has no finite end point. SleepImage measured AHI will be reported (sAHI).	From enrollment to the final study visit at 3 weeks
Apnea-Hypopnea Index at 4% Desaturation, Obstructive (events/hour)	Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) is an automated measure of Apnea/Hypopnea events per hour and is FDA-cleared to aid diagnosis of Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) in both children and adults following AASM categorization (mild, moderate, severe). SleepImage values for AHI (sAHI) at 4% desaturation and for obstructive events will be reported. In children, AHI < 1.0 corresponds to no sleep apnea, AHI 1.0 to < 5.0 corresponds to mild sleep apnea, AHI 5.0 to < 10.0 corresponds to moderate sleep apnea, and AHI of 10 or more corresponds to severe sleep apnea. Scale starts at 0 and has no finite end point. SleepImage measured AHI will be reported (sAHI).	From enrollment to the final study visit at 3 weeks
Apnea-Hypopnea Index at 3% Desaturation, Obstructive (events/hour)	Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) is an automated measure of Apnea/Hypopnea events per hour and is FDA-cleared to aid diagnosis of Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) in both children and adults following AASM categorization (mild, moderate, severe). SleepImage values for AHI (sAHI) at 3% desaturation and for obstructive events will be reported. In children, AHI < 1.0 corresponds to no sleep apnea, AHI 1.0 to < 5.0 corresponds to mild sleep apnea, AHI 5.0 to < 10.0 corresponds to moderate sleep apnea, and AHI of 10 or more corresponds to severe sleep apnea. Scale starts at 0 and has no finite end point. SleepImage measured AHI will be reported (sAHI).	From enrollment to the final study visit at 3 weeks
Apnea-Hypopnea Index at 4% Desaturation, Central (events/hour)	Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) is an automated measure of Apnea/Hypopnea events per hour and is FDA-cleared to aid diagnosis of Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) in both children and adults following AASM categorization (mild, moderate, severe). SleepImage values for AHI (sAHI) at 4% desaturation and for central events will be reported. In children, AHI < 1.0 corresponds to no sleep apnea, AHI 1.0 to < 5.0 corresponds to mild sleep apnea, AHI 5.0 to < 10.0 corresponds to moderate sleep apnea, and AHI of 10 or more corresponds to severe sleep apnea. Scale starts at 0 and has no finite end point. SleepImage measured AHI will be reported (sAHI).	From enrollment to the final study visit at 3 weeks
Apnea-Hypopnea Index at 3% Desaturation, Central (events/hour)	Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) is an automated measure of Apnea/Hypopnea events per hour and is FDA-cleared to aid diagnosis of Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) in both children and adults following AASM categorization (mild, moderate, severe). SleepImage values for AHI (sAHI) at 3% desaturation and for central events will be reported. In children, AHI < 1.0 corresponds to no sleep apnea, AHI 1.0 to < 5.0 corresponds to mild sleep apnea, AHI 5.0 to < 10.0 corresponds to moderate sleep apnea, and AHI of 10 or more corresponds to severe sleep apnea. Scale starts at 0 and has no finite end point. SleepImage measured AHI will be reported (sAHI).	From enrollment to the final study visit at 3 weeks
Sleep Apnea Indicator	Sleep apnea indicator (SAI) is based on detecting cardiac reaction associated with prolonged cycles of oxygen desaturation, based on Cyclic Variation of Heart Rate (CVHR) during unstable breathing (tidal volume variability in breathing) during sleep. During each apnea event, blood oxygen decreases and is accompanied by a physiological reaction of bradycardia and, when breathing resumes, a relative tachycardia; hypoxemia is thus reflected in this cardiac response and in the SleepImage output as SAI. It is based on the American Academy of Sleep Medicine's guidelines and is reported on a scale of 0 - 100. It is categorized as mild, moderate, and severe based on threshold markers. In children, > or = 1 is the cutoff for mild, > or = 5 is the cutoff for moderate, and > or = 10 is the cutoff for severe. The scale starts at 0 and has no finite end point.	From enrollment to the final study visit at 3 weeks
Respiratory Disturbance Index at 4% Desaturation	The SleepImage measured Respiratory Disturbance Index (sRDI, RDI) includes apnea- and hypopnea events and in addition arousals that are not related to desaturations but may disrupt sleep and cause sleep fragmentation and may therefore provide information for more comprehensive evaluation of respiratory disturbances during sleep. It is categorized as mild, moderate, and severe based on threshold markers. In children, > or = 1 is the cutoff for mild, > or = 5 is the cutoff for moderate, and > or = 10 is the cutoff for severe. The scale starts at 0 and has no finite end point.	From enrollment to the final study visit at 3 weeks
Respiratory Disturbance Index at 3% Desaturation	The SleepImage measured Respiratory Disturbance Index (sRDI, RDI) includes apnea- and hypopnea events and in addition arousals that are not related to desaturations but may disrupt sleep and cause sleep fragmentation and may therefore provide information for more comprehensive evaluation of respiratory disturbances during sleep. It is categorized as mild, moderate, and severe based on threshold markers. In children, > or = 1 is the cutoff for mild, > or = 5 is the cutoff for moderate, and > or = 10 is the cutoff for severe. The scale starts at 0 and has no finite end point.	From enrollment to the final study visit at 3 weeks
Sleep Quality Index	Sleep Quality Index (SQI) is a summary index of the cardiopulmonary coupling (CPC) biomarkers of sleep quality, sleep stability, fragmentation, and periodicity, which provides a meaningful unit of measure of sleep health. The SQI is displayed on a scale of 0-100 with expected values for children. Greater than 70 is expected for children. 70 or less corresponds to decreased sleep quality.	From enrollment to the final study visit at 3 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Body Mass Index (BMI)	BMI is a person's weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters. For children and teens, BMI is interpreted using sex-specific BMI-for-age percentiles. Underweight is less than the 5th percentile. Healthy weight is the 5th percentile to less than the 85th percentile. Overweight is 85th percentile to less than the 95th percentile. Obesity is the 95th percentile or greater. Severe obesity is 120% of the 95th percentile or greater, or 35 kg/m^2 or greater. Severe obesity can be separated into Class 2 (120% to less than 140% of the 95th percentile, or BMI 35 kg/m^2 to less than 40 kg/m^2) or Class 3 (140% of the 95th percentile or greater, or BMI 40 kg/m^2 or greater).	At enrollment
Mallampati Score	Mallampati Score will be classified from I-IV. Class I: The soft palate, uvula, fauces, and pillars are completely visible. Class II: The soft palate, major part of the uvula, and fauces are visible. Class III: The soft palate and base of the uvula are visible. Class IV: Only the hard palate is visible.	At enrollment
Brodsky Score	The Brodsky Tonsil Grading System uses scares from 0-4. Grade 0: Tonsils are entirely within the tonsillar fossa. Grade 1: Tonsils occupy <25% of the oropharyngeal width. Grade 2: Tonsils occupy 26-50% of the oropharyngeal width. Grade 3: Tonsils occupy 51-75% of the oropharyngeal width. Grade 4: Tonsils occupy >75% of the oropharyngeal width.	At enrollment
Revised Children's Anxiety and Depression Scale- Short (RCADS-25) Score	Revised Children's Anxiety and Depression Scale- Short (RCADS-25) will be completed by pediatric participants and a score from 0-75 will be calculated. Each item is assigned a numerical value: 0 = Never, 1 = Sometimes, 2 = Often, 3 = Always. Anxiety Subscale score is the sum of the numerical values for items 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 17, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25. Depression Subscale score is the sum of the numerical values for items 1, 4, 8, 10, 13, 15, 16, 19, 21, 24. Total Anxiety and Depression Score is the sum of all 25 items. Raw score corresponds to a T-score from the appropriate grade level chart. Higher scores reflect increased anxiety and depression symptoms.	At enrollment
Perceived Stress Scale- Children (PSS- C) Score	Perceived Stress Scale- Children (PSS- C) will be completed by pediatric participants and a score from 0-39 using the sum of all 13 items will be calculated. Responses are scored on a 4-point Likert scale depending on the question. Each negative item (1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 11) is assigned a standard numerical value: 0 = Never, 1 = A Little, 2 = Sometimes, 3 = A Lot. Each positive item (2, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13) is reverse scored: 3 = Never, 2 = A Little, 1 = Sometimes, 0 = A Lot. Higher scores reflect greater subjective perceived stress. A score of 0-13 reflects low stress where the child perceives low levels of stress in their daily life. A score of 14-26 reflects moderate stress where the child is experiencing a manageable but noticeable level of stress. A score of 27-39 reflects high stress where the child perceives high levels of stress, which may impact school or health.	At enrollment
Children's Report of Sleep Patterns (CRSP) Sleepiness Scale Score	Children's Report of Sleep Patterns (CRSP) Sleepiness Scale will be completed by pediatric participants. The Sleepiness Scale score ranges from 5 to 25 and is calculated as the mean of all completed items, consistent with the original validation study. Responses are scored on a 5-point Likert scale depending on the question, where 1 = Never, 2 = Not very often, 3 = Sometimes, 4 = Usually, and 5 = Always. Higher scores reflect greater subjective daytime sleepiness.	At enrollment

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Parker Norman, DMD, ML, University of North Carolina Adam's School of Dentistry

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): May 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): May 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): May 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: May 5, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 5, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): May 12, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 12, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 5, 2026
• Last Verified: May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Pediatric; Screening; Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA); Apnea; Pediatric Dentistry; Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB); Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire; At-Home Sleep Study; Lateral Ceph
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Nervous System Diseases; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Respiration Disorders; Sleep Wake Disorders; Signs and Symptoms, Respiratory; Sleep Disorders, Intrinsic; Dyssomnias; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Signs and Symptoms; Sleep Apnea Syndromes; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive; Apnea
• Other Study ID Numbers: 25-3218

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: YES
• IPD Plan Description: Deidentified individual data that supports the results will be shared beginning 9 and continuing for 36 months following publication provided the investigator who proposes to use the data has approval from an Institutional Review Board (IRB), Independent Ethics Committee (IEC), or Research Ethics Board (REB), as applicable, and executes a data use/sharing agreement with UNC.
• IPD Sharing Time Frame: beginning 9 and continuing for 36 months following publication
• IPD Sharing Access Criteria: Investigator has approved IRB, IEC, or REB and an executed data use/sharing agreement with UNC.
• IPD Sharing Supporting Information Type: STUDY_PROTOCOL; ICF

Study Data/Documents

1. Introduction to SleepImage

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: Yes
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No