Why Dr. Hare Focuses on Sleep and Airway Health
Dr. Hare has always valued the long-term relationships she builds with patients through dentistry. As her education expanded, she became increasingly interested in the connection between the mouth, airway, breathing, and sleep. Training through Spear Education introduced her to sleep apnea and sleep-disordered breathing, changing the way she approached patient care. She continued pursuing education in dental sleep medicine and airway health, eventually expanding her work to include sleep apnea treatment and other airway-focused services. That path led to Healthy Sleep Tulsa, where the practice can focus specifically on sleep and airway concerns rather than treating them as just one small part of a general dental office.
More Than 30 Years
of Dental Experience
Dr. Hare’s career began with a strong foundation in comprehensive dentistry. She attended the University of Oklahoma and graduated from the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry before completing an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency at OU.
She later opened a dental practice in Claremore that grew into Healthy Smiles Family Dentistry. Over the course of her career, she continued to expand her education and was recognized by the Oklahoma Dental Association as the Young Dentist of the Year. She also earned Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry.
Dr. Hare’s background in comprehensive dentistry gives her a broad understanding of how oral structures, jaw position, muscle function, and the airway can interact. Her work today builds on that foundation with a focused interest in breathing and sleep.
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Advanced Training for Better Sleep
Dental sleep medicine requires an understanding of both oral anatomy and the way breathing changes during sleep. Dr. Hare has continued her education in these areas to help patients better understand their treatment options.
Her professional development includes education in sleep apnea, sleep-disordered breathing, airway care, and myofunctional therapy. She is also a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine.
At Healthy Sleep Tulsa, that training supports care for patients seeking:
- Oral appliance therapy for obstructive sleep apnea
- Alternatives for patients who struggle with CPAP
- Combined CPAP and oral appliance therapy
- Home sleep study coordination
- Airway evaluation and treatment follow-up
- Myofunctional therapy
- Care for other airway-related concerns
Dr. Hare believes patients should understand not only what treatment is recommended, but why it may help.
A Thoughtful Approach to Sleep Apnea Care in Tulsa
Many people arrive at Healthy Sleep Tulsa after years of poor sleep, loud snoring, daytime fatigue, or frustration with CPAP. Others have only recently learned that obstructive sleep apnea may be contributing to the way they feel.
Dr. Hare’s approach begins with listening. She wants to understand a patient’s symptoms, previous treatment experience, health history, and goals before discussing the next step.
When oral appliance therapy is appropriate, the process does not stop when the appliance is delivered. Healthy Sleep Tulsa follows patients over time with adjustments, follow-up visits, and titration sleep studies designed to evaluate treatment effectiveness.
That ongoing relationship is an important part of Dr. Hare’s approach to dental sleep medicine.
Helping Patients Understand Their Options
Sleep apnea treatment can feel complicated, especially when patients are trying to make sense of sleep studies, CPAP, oral appliances, insurance, and different healthcare providers. Dr. Hare places a strong emphasis on education so patients can make informed decisions.
During a complimentary sleep consultation, patients can ask questions, learn how oral appliances work, see examples of the appliances Healthy Sleep Tulsa uses, and discuss whether additional sleep testing may be needed.
For patients who have not yet completed a sleep study, the team can help coordinate a home sleep study. A qualified medical provider makes the diagnosis of sleep apnea, and Healthy Sleep Tulsa provides dental treatment when oral appliance therapy is appropriate.
Coordinated Care With Your Healthcare Team
Sleep apnea is a medical condition, and treatment often involves more than one provider. Dr. Hare and the Healthy Sleep Tulsa team communicate with referring primary care physicians and sleep physicians so those providers remain informed about the patient’s progress.
The practice also uses follow-up sleep testing to help evaluate whether an oral appliance is effectively supporting the airway. This objective approach helps the team make treatment decisions based on more than comfort alone.
Patients receiving an appliance return for an in-office follow-up approximately two months after delivery. Six-month and yearly telemedicine visits provide additional opportunities to review progress and address concerns.
A Commitment to Ongoing Education
Dr. Hare has remained active in professional education throughout her career. In addition to her involvement with dental sleep medicine, she has participated in organizations and educational communities that support continued growth in dentistry and airway care.
Her professional affiliations include:
- American Dental Association
- Oklahoma Dental Association
- Academy of General Dentistry
- Academy of Laser Dentistry
- American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine
For Dr. Hare, continuing education is part of providing thoughtful care. New research, technology, and treatment approaches continue to change how healthcare professionals understand breathing and sleep, and she values opportunities to keep learning.