Early Risk Screening for Sleep Disordered Breathing in a Dental SettingNCT07581938
Early Dental Risk Screening for Pediatric Sleep-Disordered Breathing
An observational study of Early Risk Screening for Sleep Disordered Breathing in a Dental Setting and Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB), run by University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 8 to 13 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Early Risk Screening for Sleep Disordered Breathing in a Dental Setting, Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB), Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
- What is being tested?
- SleepImage Ring
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 2 Jun 2026to May 2027
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 8 to 13 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child
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).
Who may be able to join
- 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
Who cannot join
- 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
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
UNC Adams School of Dentistry
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27514
Parker Norman, DMD, ML, 919-537-3956, parkern@ad.unc.edu
About this study
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.
Read the 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).
- Conditions
- Early Risk Screening for Sleep Disordered Breathing in a Dental Setting, Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB), Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
- Being tested
- SleepImage Ring
- Keywords
- Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire, Apnea, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB), Pediatric Dentistry, At-Home Sleep Study, Pediatric, Screening, Lateral Ceph
- Medical subject headings
- Sleep Apnea Syndromes, Sleep Apnea, Obstructive, Apnea
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
SleepImage RingDevice
Objective physiologic sleep measures will be obtained from a wearable home monitor sent home with patients in a pediatric dentistry setting.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Cohort A | High Risk; Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire > or = 0.33 Receives: Device: SleepImage Ring | |
| Cohort B | Low Risk; Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire < 0.33 Receives: Device: SleepImage Ring |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
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).
Measured: 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).
Measured: 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).
Measured: 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).
Measured: 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).
Measured: 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).
Measured: 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. 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.
Measured: 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.
Measured: 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.
Measured: 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.
Measured: From enrollment to the final study visit at 3 weeks
Secondary outcomes (6)
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).
Measured: 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.
Measured: 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.
Measured: 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.
Measured: 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.
Measured: 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.
Measured: At enrollment
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted12 May 2026
- Study start2 Jun 2026
- Primary completionMay 2027 (estimated)
- Study completionMay 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Early Risk Screening for Sleep Disordered Breathing in a Dental SettingStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Other
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Parker Norman, DMD, ML, Principal investigator, University of North Carolina Adam's School of Dentistry
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07581938
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 25-3218
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 5 May 2026
- Last updated
- 23 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- Yes
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: 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.
Publications
Norman P, Bain J, Sangalli L, Levine M, Sawicki CM. Screening for Sleep-Disordered Breathing Risk in Pediatric Dental Care: A Protocol Combining Questionnaire-Based Stratification and Wearable Home Sleep Monitoring. Methods Protoc. 2026 Aug 1;9(4):115. doi: 10.3390/mps9040115.
PubMed 42646510
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 23 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Early Dental Risk Screening for Pediatric Sleep-Disordered Breathing
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07581938
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 25-3218
- Conditions
- Early Risk Screening for Sleep Disordered Breathing in a Dental Setting, Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB), Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
- Keywords
- Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire, Apnea, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB), Pediatric Dentistry, At-Home Sleep Study, Pediatric, Screening
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University of North Carolina, Chapel HillUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 2 Jun 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- May 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- May 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 12 May 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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.
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 design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Other
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Cohort A | – | Device: SleepImage RingHigh Risk; Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire > or = 0.33 |
| Cohort B | – | Device: SleepImage RingLow Risk; Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire < 0.33 |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 8 to 13 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child
- 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).
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- 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
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- 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
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| SleepImage RingObjective physiologic sleep measures will be obtained from a wearable home monitor sent home with patients in a pediatric dentistry setting. | Device | Cohort A, Cohort B |
Primary outcome
Apnea-Hypopnea Index at 4% Desaturation, Total (events/hour)
Time frame: From enrollment to the final study visit at 3 weeks
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).
Apnea-Hypopnea Index at 3% Desaturation, Total (events/hour)
Time frame: From enrollment to the final study visit at 3 weeks
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).
Apnea-Hypopnea Index at 4% Desaturation, Obstructive (events/hour)
Time frame: From enrollment to the final study visit at 3 weeks
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).
Apnea-Hypopnea Index at 3% Desaturation, Obstructive (events/hour)
Time frame: From enrollment to the final study visit at 3 weeks
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).
Apnea-Hypopnea Index at 4% Desaturation, Central (events/hour)
Time frame: From enrollment to the final study visit at 3 weeks
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).
Apnea-Hypopnea Index at 3% Desaturation, Central (events/hour)
Time frame: From enrollment to the final study visit at 3 weeks
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).
Sleep Apnea Indicator
Time frame: From enrollment to the final study visit at 3 weeks
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. 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.
Respiratory Disturbance Index at 4% Desaturation
Time frame: From enrollment to the final study visit at 3 weeks
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.
Respiratory Disturbance Index at 3% Desaturation
Time frame: From enrollment to the final study visit at 3 weeks
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.
Sleep Quality Index
Time frame: From enrollment to the final study visit at 3 weeks
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.
6 secondary outcomes
Body Mass Index (BMI)
Time frame: At enrollment
Mallampati Score
Time frame: At enrollment
Brodsky Score
Time frame: At enrollment
Revised Children's Anxiety and Depression Scale- Short (RCADS-25) Score
Time frame: At enrollment
Perceived Stress Scale- Children (PSS- C) Score
Time frame: At enrollment
Children's Report of Sleep Patterns (CRSP) Sleepiness Scale Score
Time frame: At enrollment
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 23 Sep 2026.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 42646510Norman P, Bain J, Sangalli L, Levine M, Sawicki CM. Screening for Sleep-Disordered Breathing Risk in Pediatric Dental Care: A Protocol Combining Questionnaire-Based Stratification and Wearable Home Sleep Monitoring. Methods Protoc. 2026 Aug 1;9(4):115. doi: 10.3390/mps9040115.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. 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.
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Parker Norman, DMD, ML principal investigator
University of North Carolina Adam's School of Dentistry
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Early Risk Screening for Sleep Disordered Breathing in a Dental Setting and Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB), run by University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 23 Sep 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Parker Norman, DMD, ML (919-537-3956, parkern@ad.unc.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Apnea-Hypopnea Index at 4% Desaturation, Total (events/hour) (time frame: From enrollment to the final study visit at 3 weeks). The study lists 10 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07581938, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 23 Sep 2026.