Learn with SBA
Grow your skills with expert-led courses
Available Courses
Already Enrolled?
Meet the Team
-
![Dr. Richard D. Downs, DDS, Founder of Sleep Balance Academy and expert in dental sleep medicine.]()
Dr. Richard Downs
FOUNDER
-
![r. Joseph Zelk, DNP, Medical Director of Sleep Balance Academy and board-certified sleep specialist.]()
Dr. Joseph Zelk
CO-ADMINISTRATOR
-
![Dr. Shane Smith, DC, Chiropractic Faculty at Sleep Balance Academy specializing in TMJ and vertebral care.]()
Dr. Shane Smith
FACULTY
-
![Shirley Gutkowski, RDH, Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist and Buteyko breathing educator.]()
Shirley Gutkowski
FACULTY
-
![Dr. Geoffrey Skinner, DDS, creator of the Portland Protocol for treating sleep apnea and snoring.]()
Dr. Geoffrey Skinner
FACULTY
-
![Dr. Russell Kort, DC, Lead Clinician of the Doctor EMF Research Team and Sleep Balance Academy faculty.]()
Dr. Russel Kort
FACULTY
-
![Kandra Sellers, RDH, Founder of Pristine Interprofessional Academy and oral-systemic health coach.]()
Kandra Sellers
FACULTY
-
![Joanette Biebesheimer, MS, Research Specialist and educator on the biological effects of EMF radiation.]()
Joanette Biebesheimer
FACULTY
Academy
Write an introduction that summarizes the expected outcomes of this course.
-
-
Why Choose SBA
No organization does what Sleep Balance Academy does. EPAP, Myofunctional, Combination, HSTs, Titration and Department of Transportation Solutions for obstructive sleep apnea care.
No organization does what Sleep Balance Academy does. EPAP, Myofunctional, Combination, HSTs, Titration and Department of Transportation Solutions for obstructive sleep apnea care.
-
-
FAQs
-
Many traditional programs focus primarily on appliance therapy for obstructive sleep apnea. In contrast, the Sleep Balance Academy emphasizes a deeper, airway-centered approach. Our curriculum, developed by Dr. Richard Downs and Dr. Joseph Zelk, bridges the gaps often found in standard training by focusing on airway development, interdisciplinary care, and non-CPAP alternatives.
We cover a broad range of treatment philosophies including orthodontic airway expansion, EPAP therapy, NightLase®/Naselase®, and jaw-development devices (such as MyoMunchee®). Additionally, we teach a unique medical-billing collaboration model, enabling clinicians to seek medical reimbursement rather than operating solely as DME providers.
-
The Air Institute Core Course is our most comprehensive educational offering. While it includes all standard sleep-medicine frameworks, it expands significantly into advanced airway-focused education.
Developed in collaboration with Dr. Geoff Skinner, this course incorporates upper-airway expansion strategies (both oral and nasal), Invisalign-based approaches to airway development, MARPE (Miniscrew-Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion), and laser therapies. It is designed for practitioners who want to move beyond symptom management toward a developmental, preventative model that addresses craniofacial growth, facial aesthetics, and functional breathing patterns.
-
Yes, the Sleep Balance Academy offers over 46 hours of PACE-approved continuing education. Our courses are fully online and designed for clinicians committed to efficient learning.
The programs feature a blend of:
In-depth video instruction
Comprehensive written support materials
Formal and informal teaching methods
Integrated quizzes to reinforce learning
Whether you are looking to meet the minimum 20 hours of documented sleep-medicine education or seeking advanced adjunctive training, our platform allows you to learn at your own pace while ensuring you gain the practical skills needed to improve patient outcomes.