Myofunctional Therapy for Kids 4 & Up: Interview with Dalanna Hanson, RDH, CSOM
One thing I’ve noticed when working on sleep with children preschool age and up, is that oftentimes the behavioral training aspect of sleep coaching is only one part of the puzzle. I’ve noticed some things like hyperactivity, ADHD, bed wetting, mouth breathing, teeth grinding, snoring, aggression and excessive tantruming etc. Some of these things can be helped by the firm but loving and consistent discipline and boundaries that I teach, while others can be caused or exacerbated by structural issues of the face and mouth such as tongue ties, restricted airway, improper jaw development etc.
My own children (8 and 11 at the time of this writing) are currently in treatment for these structural issues and although they have a great sleep schedule already of course we are seeing definite changes to behavior, aggression, ability to cooperate and think clearly, and even straighter smiles.
I’m collaborating with their myofunctional therapist here in Wichita, Dalanna Hanson RSH CSOM, to provide some education on how the “physical therapy for the mouth” she provides, and the behavioral solutions I provide, can be the perfect combination to ensure amazing healthy sleep for children ages 4 and older.
Meet Dalanna Hanson RDH CSOM
Q: How did you get started providing myofunctional therapy?
A: My background is in dental hygiene. Several years ago I attended a continuing education program on tongue ties and it blew my mind! It connected so many dots for symptoms I was seeing with so many of my patients and I knew I needed to know more!
Q: Can you describe in one paragraph what myofunctional therapy is?
A: Picture physical therapy for the mouth. We work together to re-train the muscles of the face and neck to function properly. It is actually a neuro-muscular re-education. Meaning through awareness and repetition, we can rewire your brain to make new habits. So many people have oral muscle dysfunction and don't realize it. But it can be corrected through myofunctional therapy.
Q: What are some of the biggest benefits experienced by the children you have worked with?
A: When our muscles aren't giving proper guidance for optimal facial development, we often end up with an under developed airway and this affects our sleep immensely. Many times a narrowed airway is also impeded by enlarged tonsils or even by the tongue as our muscles relax at night. Hundreds of kids have seen improvements in snoring, teeth grinding, ADHD like symptoms, bed wetting and restless sleep through my program.
Q: Why is myofunctional therapy so helpful for children experiencing sleep problems?
A: This is a natural approach. It's not painful. It's not invasive. It can be life changing and best of all, self sustaining for the rest of one's life. Improving facial development in a growing child has exponential health benefits. Something like mouth breathing can often lead to snoring which often leads to sleep apnea. This is highly linked to things like heart disease, stroke, depression and dementia down the road. This gives kids a great start while so much cognitive and social development is happening and sets them up for success for the rest of their lives.
Q: Can you describe what it looks like to work with you?
A: The first thing we need to do is a free consultation to see if this is a good fit. We will take measurements and discuss symptoms to make a personalized treatment plan.
Q: How can potential clients get in touch with you?
A: Most parents like to check out my website first. It has some helpful videos and links to my social media that have before and after photos. It also has a link to contact me with questions and another link to book online. http://www.myofunctionaltherapyofkansas.com. You can also call me at (316) 689-4229.
Q: What are your credentials and education?
A: I graduated magna cum laude and was inducted to the Alpha Eta Society in the dental hygiene program at WSU in 2009 and have absolutely committed to life long learning. I took my first course in Myofunctional Therapy back in 2014. Since then I have taken hundreds of hours in courses on TMJ, sleep apnea, orthodontics, frenulum inspection, and am certified in functional breathing re-education through Buteyko International. I became the first person in Kansas to become a Certified Specialist in Orofacial Myology through the Graduate School of Behavioral Health Sciences in Cheyenne Wyoming in 2018.
Q: Tell us something about yourself, what do you like to do in your free time?
A: I've been married for 20 years to the coolest guy I know, and we have a beautiful 13 year old daughter, a silly Great Dane, a crazy weimaraner and a cute betta fish. I love Wichita and all it has to offer. My favorite way to vacation is a cruise and we've always got next year’s booked!
Dalanna Hanson RDH CSOM - Myofunctional Therapy of Kansas