Can a Good Night Sleep Save Your Life?
In this episode, Dr. Michael Bennett hosts Staff Sergeant Josh May, who shares his powerful and emotional story of struggling with severe mental health issues and obstructive sleep apnea. Josh recounts his darkest moments, including his close encounters with suicide, and how disrupted sleep exacerbated his PTSD and other mental health conditions. He explains how treatment with Dr. Bennett, involving a special oral appliance, significantly improved his sleep and overall well-being. Josh discusses the profound impact better sleep has had on his mental clarity, emotional stability, and relationships. Dr. Bennett and Josh advocate for the importance of integrating sleep health screening into medical and military protocols to help save lives and improve mental health resilience.
00:19 Meet Staff Sergeant Josh: A Hero's Journey
02:26 The Struggles of Deployment and Mental Health
04:20 The Turning Point: Discovering Sleep Apnea
06:17 Starting Treatment: A New Hope
08:56 Life After Treatment: A New Beginning
10:04 The Impact of Good Sleep on Mental Health
16:07 Overcoming Challenges and Building Resilience
19:33 The Power of Sleep: Transforming Lives
33:19 Dealing with Family Stress and Improved Sleep
34:35 Impact of Sleep on Mental Health
34:48 Military Stress and Sleep Apnea
40:14 The Importance of Screening for Sleep Disorders
40:33 Personal Experiences with Sleep Apnea Treatment
46:51 The Science Behind Sleep and Health
56:25 Encouraging Proactive Sleep Health
If you found this episode valuable, share it with a colleague or friend who wants to breathe better, sleep deeper, and live healthier. Your support helps us expand the conversation around airway-focused care and whole-body wellness.
Together, we can move dentistry beyond the chair.
Michael Bennett, DDS, PhD
Board-Certified Dentist | Healthcare Professions Educator
Empowering total health through airway-focused dentistry
Advanced Dental Care – Dr. Bennett’s clinical practice and patient-centered services
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