​Sleep Disorders Center of Santa Maria

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The Sleep Team at the Sleep Disorders Center of Santa Maria

At the Sleep Disorders Center of Santa Maria we take a team approach to helping you with  your sleep problems. Led by a board certified sleep medicine physician (Richard P Wikholm, MD), the sleep team is expertly trained to help with the management of any sleep disorder you may have.   We are not just a lab which does sleep studies, we have a holistic integrated approach to sleep medicine.  We are an accredited sleep center by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.   

As an accredited center we have demonstrated the highest level of care, with expertly trained staff, standard policies for operations and effective protocols for every sleep disorder. The accredited sleep center is your gateway to treatment from the “sleep team”.

At the Sleep Disorders Center of Santa Maria the  sleep team  includes:   Board Certified Sleep Medicine Physician (Richard P Wikholm, MD)

As the captain of the sleep team, Dr. Wikholm has all the skills necessary to diagnose and treat sleep disorders. As a Board Certified sleep specialist, he has received special training that can prevent serious life-threatening diseases and improve your quality of life. Board certification shows a level of dedication and understanding of the field of sleep medicine.

A board certified sleep medicine physician is the medical professional with the proper training to diagnose the full breadth of sleep disorders including obstructive sleep apnea, parasomnias, narcolepsy, circadian rhythm sleep disorders and narcolepsy.

Sleep Technologists

Sleep technologists assist in the evaluation and follow-up care of patients with sleep disorders.  Sleep technologists interact directly with patients by assisting the board certified sleep medicine physician with diagnostic tests at most sleep centers. This may include in lab sleep studies, Multiple Sleep Latency Testing (MSLT) and the Maintenance of Wakefulness Testing (MWT). Sleep technologists also score sleep tests prior to the physicians interpretation, and assist patients with their home sleep tests. Each sleep technologist has completed special training and obtained certification a credentialing body such as the American Board of Sleep Medicine and the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists.

Physician Assistant- with special knowledge of sleep disorders

Physicians Assistant Lane Price (PA) may work with you to help diagnosis your sleep disorder.  He also has special skills to help patients acclimate to using CPAP and other positive airway treatment for sleep apnea. The sleep medicine physician will continue to oversee your care if you are seen by PA Price. The physicians assistant works to assist the board certified sleep medicine physician in providing care for sleep patients.  

Sleep Surgeon

A sleep surgeon is an otolaryngologist—head and neck surgeon (ENT) with a specific interest in treating snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.  Surgery may be appropriate care for patients who cannot tolerate CPAP therapy.  Dr. Wikholm is board certified in otolaryngology as we as sleep medicine  and has years of experience in surgery for sleep disorders.  Dr. Zachary Vandegriend is also a board certified specialist in Otolaryngology who has special training in nasal surgery and other surgical procedures which may be necessary in treatment of sleep apnea. If appropriate your doctor will discuss potential types of surgery to treat your snoring and obstructive sleep apnea, including the risks and benefits. After surgery, a sleep study may be necessary to evaluate results thoroughly. 

 

Medical Assistants

You may have help from several medical assistants at the Sleep Disorders Center of Santa Maria.  They will help you with equipment ordering, CPAP downloads, authorizations for sleep studies and equipment.  The medical assistants are a critical part of the sleep team who will help you have a smooth experience. 

Behavioral Sleep Medicine Specialist

Mental health professionals with training in behavioral sleep medicine can work with patients to address the behavioral, psychological and physiological factors that interfere with sleep. These specialists use cognitive-behavioral therapy to eliminate habits, behaviors and environmental disruptions that stand in the way of quality rest.  The staff at the Sleep Disorders Center of Santa Maria  may refer you to a psychologist for insomnia treatment or to help them acclimate to using CPAP for  sleep apnea. The sleep medicine physician will continue to oversee care for these patients.

 

Dental Sleep Medicine Specialist

A dentist may treat and manage your snoring and sleep apnea through the use of oral appliance therapy while the board certified sleep physician oversees care. These dentists work closely with board certified sleep physicians to provide care for patients who cannot tolerate CPAP.  The physician may refer patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea to a dental sleep medicine specialist to be fitted for an oral appliance. The physician will then work with patients to ensure the treatment is effective. The dentist will help by making any adjustments to the therapy, if necessary.