Dr. Galvan looks after checkups, fillings and crowns, and jaw joints and night guards. She speaks Spanish and English.
Dentists and a sleep coordinator · Bellingham
A dental office that works alongside your sleep physician
Chuckanut Dental is two dentists and a sleep coordinator. We care for teeth and jaws, and when your physician has recommended an oral appliance for snoring or sleep apnea, we make it, fit it and report back to them.
The sleep path
Three ways to treat sleep apnea, and who decides
Your physician makes the diagnosis and helps you choose. This is where a dentist fits in, and where one doesn't.
| Who does what | Oral appliance | CPAP | Surgery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who diagnoses sleep apnea | Oral applianceA physician, from a sleep test. Not a dentist. | CPAPA physician, from a sleep test. | SurgeryA physician, from a sleep test. |
| Who decides which option fits | Oral applianceYour physician recommends it for your diagnosis, and you choose together. | CPAPYour physician prescribes it, and a supplier sets it up with you. | SurgeryA surgeon and your physician, once you have weighed the other options. |
| Who makes or performs it | Oral applianceA dentist makes the appliance from impressions or a scan and fits it. | CPAPA medical equipment supplier provides the machine and mask. | SurgeryA surgeon, in a hospital or surgery center. |
| Who follows up | Oral applianceThe dentist checks fit, teeth and bite. Your physician reads your sleep test. | CPAPYour physician and the supplier, using the machine's own records. | SurgeryThe surgeon and your physician. |
How it goes
From your physician's note to a fitted appliance
Most people come through their physician. A few call us first, and we send them back to their physician before anything is made.
- 01
Step 1: Your physician recommends an appliance
You bring the diagnosis and the recommendation, or Zaria asks your physician's office for them with your permission.
- 02
Step 2: A dentist looks at your mouth
Dr. Nishimura checks your teeth, gums, bite and jaw joints. X-rays only if he needs them.
- 03
Step 3: The appliance is made
We take impressions or a scan. A dental lab makes the appliance to fit your teeth.
- 04
Step 4: You try it, and your physician follows up
Usually three to five visits over a few months to fit it and check your bite. A repeat sleep test is your physician's call.
What we do
General dentistry, with a focus on jaws and airway
The people
Two dentists and a sleep coordinator
A small office, so you see the same faces each visit.
Dr. Nishimura makes and fits oral appliances for patients whose physician has recommended one, and checks how they fit over time.
Zaria Lampkin
Sleep coordinator
Zaria is your point of contact for referrals. She writes to your physician's office, books your visits and writes your estimate.
The office
Add your photos
This is where the practice shows its own work and its own rooms. Anything that shows a patient's results is the practice's own, and shared only with the patient's written permission.
Sample photos.
For physicians
Refer a patient
Send the diagnosis and your recommendation through our secure referral form. Zaria confirms receipt and keeps you updated after each visit.
Phone(360) 555-0103
Referral questionshello@
In patients' words
What patients tell us
“Zaria sent my sleep doctor everything before I thought to ask. I didn't chase a single form.”
Odessa T.Sent by her physician
“It took a few weeks to get used to the appliance. Dr. Nishimura looked at my bite at every visit.”
Wendell P.Appliance patient
“I came in for a cleaning and Dr. Galvan noticed how worn my teeth were. The night guard fits.”
Imelda S.Patient
Sample reviews.
Questions
Before you call
Do you diagnose sleep apnea?
No. A physician diagnoses it, usually from a sleep test. If you snore and haven't been evaluated, we ask you to see your physician first.
Do I need a referral?
For an oral appliance we ask for your physician's diagnosis and recommendation. For checkups, cleanings and fillings you can call us yourself.
Can I stop using my CPAP?
That is a decision for your physician. We never ask you to stop or change a treatment they prescribed.
Do you take my insurance?
We send claims to many dental plans, and we tell you before your first visit what we can bill, to a dental plan or to a medical plan. See how fees work.
What if I'm nervous about the dentist?
Tell us when you book. We explain each step before it happens, and you can raise a hand and we stop.
Ask for a visit
Send a request and Zaria will call or text you back with a time. Please leave out health details; for anything urgent, call us.