FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — November 5, 2026. Media contact: partnerships@gem.health
White Bear Lake, MN — GEM SLEEP, an all-virtual sleep clinic, and Dental Sleep Solutions (DSS) today announced a referral partnership that gives dental patients a faster, at-home option for patients to get diagnosed and treated for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Dentists are frequently the first clinicians to notice the signs of sleep apnea. What they have not had is a way to close the loop. A referral to a traditional sleep clinic can mean months on a wait list, an overnight stay in an unfamiliar facility, and a cost that ends the conversation before it starts. Many screened patients are never diagnosed at all.
“GEM SLEEP’s mission is to help people sleep better and live healthier by removing the barriers to sleep apnea diagnosis, treatment and support. We’re thrilled to ensure dental patients have easy options for diagnosing and treating obstructive sleep apnea. This partnership ensures patients don’t face dead-ends in getting the treatment they need for sleep apnea.”
— Brian Sauer, CEO GEM SLEEP
How Patients Benefit
Patients referred through the partnership test at home rather than in a lab, and receive a clinical diagnosis followed by a treatment plan matching their severity. GEM SLEEP provides ongoing CPAP treatment adherence coaching so patients stay on therapy after the initial fitting or setup.
The company serves patients in all 50 states and Washington D.C. and is in-network with major national health plans including UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, BCBS PPO, and Surest, along with a set of state-specific plans. Transparent cash-pay pricing is available for uninsured and out-of-network patients. GEM SLEEP reports its pathway running 70–80% less expensive than a traditional sleep clinic.
Sleep Apnea: A Widening Patient Population
OSA is increasingly being diagnosed in younger women, a group historically under-screened because their symptoms often present as fatigue, insomnia, or headache rather than the classic loud-snoring picture. A virtual, at-home diagnostic pathway reaches patients who may not otherwise book a sleep clinic overnight test. GEM SLEEP also reaches patients who gravitate towards virtual visits or faster health care paths.
Oral Appliance Therapy Stays with the Dentist
Under the GEM SLEEP and Dental Sleep Solutions partnership, DSS providers enter a referral in their practice management system and hand the patient a Get Started flyer or QR code. The patient completes a 30-second risk assessment, a brief telehealth visit, and a single night of at-home testing with a disposable WatchPAT ONE device. GEM SLEEP clinicians review the study, issue a diagnosis, and present treatment options.
For patients diagnosed with mild-to-moderate OSA, oral appliance therapy is frequently the appropriate first-line treatment — and it is treatment the referring dentist delivers. Across the rest of the severity spectrum, GEM SLEEP presents CPAP alongside oral appliance therapy and supports whichever option the patient and clinician choose.
“Our providers have never lacked the clinical eye to catch sleep apnea — they have lacked a diagnostic pathway that moves as fast as their patients need. This partnership closes that loop.”
— Frances Romero-Briscoe, Director of Operations at Dental Sleep Solutions
Availability
The referral pathway is available to DSS providers now. Provider materials, patient handouts, and full coverage details are available at the DSS provider resource page. Interested patients can learn more and begin the process by visiting here.
About GEM SLEEP
GEM SLEEP is an all-virtual sleep clinic providing at-home sleep apnea testing, clinical diagnosis, and treatment including CPAP and oral appliance therapy, with ongoing patient support. GEM SLEEP serves patients in all 50 states and Washington D.C.
About Dental Sleep Solutions
Dental Sleep Solutions (DSS) is dedicated to simplifying dental sleep medicine through innovative technology, expert medical billing solutions, exceptional customer service, and comprehensive education. Founded by dentists for dentists, DSS provides the tools, resources, and support practices need to streamline workflows, maximize reimbursement opportunities, grow their dental sleep programs, and deliver better patient care.
Through DS3 software, 4 Pillar Billing, and DS360 mentorship, Dental Sleep Solutions empowers practices to achieve sustainable success in dental sleep medicine.
