Why I Love My Job

Posted on October 4, 2011 by Dr. Erin Elliott

Working with sleep apnea patients has changed my life. From day one when I see a patient and they are tired, depressed and their quality of life has gone down. There is a glisten of hope in their eyes when we tell them about the wonderful appliance for sleep apnea called the Somnodent, a great treatment for sleep apnea. They will no longer need to sleep with a loud machine sounding like Darth Vador, keeping their spouse awake and losing sleep as well, or sometimes that spouse is in a whole other bedroom.  They can travel easier and live more freely and sleep next to their bed partner again. I can’t believe that by bringing up their oxygen intake and getting more sleep can add about ten years to someone’s life is jaw dropping to me!…literally!  I have had a number of patients who fell asleep in my hands, in a dental chair no less,  while I was taking a four minute impression, to seeing them at their one week follow up appointment  walking in after they have the appliance  with a new pep in their step and smiles on their faces! Hugs, laughter…life is good again! We have saved marriages, saved lives and it couldn’t bring anymore joy to my life knowing that I have a career in making people so incredibly happy and their life can be calm again knowing that they don’t have to feel tired anymore.