Richard D. Downs, DDS, FAGD, FICOI, DGMDIA, DASBA
The Authors
Richard Downs
Dr. Downs is retired from the private practice of general dentistry. He graduated from the University of Iowa, earning a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in 1971. Dr. Downs attended the University Of Iowa College Of Dentistry with an HR2 military scholarship and, in 1975, attained a Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) degree. He spent three years as a Navy dental officer at the Great Lakes Naval Base.
Dr. Downs is a Diplomate of the Global Mini Dental Implant Association and a Diplomate of the American Sleep and Breathing Academy. He has attained a Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry, a Fellowship in the Misch International Implant Institute, and a Fellowship in the International Congress of Oral Implantologists.
He is a member of the American Dental Association, the Iowa Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, and the Fortune Practice Management - Platinum Circle division. He is a past member of the American Straight Wire Orthodontic Association, the Misch Implant Institute, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the American Academy of Implantology, the American Society of Osseointegration, and the International Association of Breath Odor Research. Dr. Downs was the editor of the Iowa Academy of General Dentistry newsletter for four years and is past President of the Iowa Academy of General Dentistry.
He has lectured and authored publications on several topics, including cytokine immune response and wound healing, diagnosis and treatment of halitosis and periodontal diseases, nitric oxide and microbiome balance in the oral cavity, the chemistry of oxidative molecule therapeutics, and bacterial and viral cytokine inflammatory modulation pathways in periodontitis.
Dr. Downs co-founded the ProBreath MD, LLC dental products company and website at www.oracareproducts.com. This most recent Oracare products website is a dental products company formed primarily around the technology of delivering optimal chlorine dioxide therapy in fresh unit doses since chlorine dioxide has a very short duration of action and must be produced fresh each time it is to be used. Its first product is the mouth rinse "Oracare." New products have been produced, including an orthodontic plaque control mouth rinse and a new hyper-cleaning plaque control toothpaste.
Dr. Downs has also formed a company for sleep dentistry social media marketing, www.sleepbalanceacademy.com, www.onlinehomesleepstudcy.com, and other related sites, forming a new alliance of chiropractors, physicians, other allied healthcare professionals, and dentists to diagnose and treat obstructive sleep apnea.
He is also the founder of USA-Guard HOCL nasal rinse products at ww.USA-Guard.com. His most recent projects include building a charitable teaching and treatment clinic called the Haiti International Dental Institute in Haiti. This project is associated with Hosean Ministries International at www.hosen.org.
Dr. Joseph R. Zelk, DNP, FNP, BC, CBSM, DBSM
Joseph Zelk
Clinic Director - Diplomate of the American Board of Sleep Medicine
Dr. Zelk, DNP, FNP, BC, CBSM, DBSM, is double board certified in Behavioral Sleep Medicine. He is a nationally known speaker on sleep disorders, snoring, and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). He has completed a residency and mini-fellowship training focusing on Sleep Disorders and Dental Sleep Medicine. He has over 20 years of experience treating patients with oral appliance therapy for snoring and OSA. He has patented oral appliance technology and is the creator of Hybrid Positive Airway Pressure (HPAP) therapies to be used on those rare occasions when CPAP is needed.
Sleep Medicine Group has focused on removing barriers to care for snoring and OSA by integrating home sleep monitoring. He and his team have been providing home sleep testing since 2005. He has taught dentists and other providers nationwide in oral appliance therapy and medical management for dental sleep medicine providers.
Dr. Zelk, DNP, FNP, BC, CBSM, DBSM, is a Doctor of Nursing Practice and Sleep Specialist who earned his Doctorate of Nursing Practice at Oregon Health and Sciences University. He is also a Diplomate of the American Board of Sleep Medicine and holds a board certification in Behavioral Sleep Medicine.
Dr. Zelk is passionate about furthering the implementation of home sleep diagnostics and home CPAP titration and training medical and dental clinicians in mandibular advancement therapy.
•Medical Director – Sleep Balance Academy, AIR Institute and Sleep Medicine Group
•Sleep Medicine Educator for Dentists and allied health professionals 2005-present
•Sleep Medicine Group 2003-Present
•Licensed in Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Arizona, and California
•OHSU adjunct faculty for 7 years
•Dental Sleep Medicine Lecture for Sleep Fellowship VAMC - Portland
•Sleep Disorders Residency
•Sleep Medicine/Dental Sleep Medicine Fellowship
•Research in oral appliance therapy, hybrid therapies, and co-inventor of oral appliances