In this episode, host Finn Geoghegan, EOS Honorary Secretary and 2026 Past-President, speaks with Ben Pliska, Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia, to discuss craniofacial growth, airway health and the orthodontist’s role in sleep-disordered breathing.
Key topics include:
From orthodontics to airway research – Prof. Pliska reflects on his academic and clinical journey and how an interest in obstructive sleep apnoea led him to explore the relationship between craniofacial development, orthodontics, and airway health.
Recognising sleep-disordered breathing in children – The signs and symptoms orthodontists should be aware of, from snoring and restless sleep to unusual sleeping positions and daytime behavioural changes, and how simple screening questions can help identify patients who may need further investigation.
The orthodontist’s role in multidisciplinary care – Why orthodontists can play an important role in recognising potential problems and referring patients appropriately, while definitive diagnosis and management should remain part of a physician-led, multidisciplinary approach.
Expansion, treatment timing and evidence – A careful look at maxillary expansion and other orthodontic interventions, emphasising that treatment should be driven by a genuine orthodontic indication rather than promises to prevent or cure obstructive sleep apnoea.
Tune in for an evidence-focused conversation about growth, airway and clinical responsibility — and how orthodontists can contribute to better patient care while remaining clear about the limits of orthodontic treatment.
