Sleep Apnea Treatment Near Dana Point, Orange County

Finally sleep through the night — without a CPAP machine.

Dana Point's harbor sunrises are worth waking up for — but not if sleep apnea leaves you too exhausted to enjoy them. Our Irvine office is 22 minutes north on the 5, with specialized expertise, medical insurance billing, and Saturday hours that make the drive well worth it.

Free 15-minute consultation with Thomas D'Acquisto, Sleep Director — even at 2am when you can't sleep

5/5 StarsInsurance Verified Before First Visit22 minutes from Dana Point

Sleep Apnea Treatment Options for Dana Point Residents

Dana Point residents live surrounded by some of Orange County's most stunning coastline — the harbor, Strands Beach, the Headlands, and whale-watching season. But if chronic snoring, morning headaches, or CPAP frustration is part of your nightly reality, sleep apnea may be stealing the energy you need to enjoy it all. An estimated 1 in 4 adults has obstructive sleep apnea, and treatment doesn't have to mean a CPAP machine. Our Irvine office at 14982 Sand Canyon Avenue is 22 minutes north on the 5, and Dr. Joseph Passamano provides oral appliance therapy — a custom, silent alternative that's ideal for the coastal lifestyle. He bills through medical insurance, not dental, for significantly better coverage.

Learn more about how oral appliance therapy works or explore your CPAP alternatives.

Local Impact: An estimated 6,500 adults in Dana Point may have undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea, based on American Academy of Sleep Medicine prevalence data applied to the city's population of approximately 34,000. In a coastal community with a higher proportion of older residents, sleep apnea prevalence may exceed the national average.

Why Treating Sleep Apnea Matters

Untreated obstructive sleep apnea doesn't just rob you of sleep — it increases your risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, and motor vehicle accidents. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine estimates that untreated sleep apnea costs the U.S. economy $149.6 billion annually in healthcare costs and lost productivity. The sooner you get tested, the sooner you can protect your health — and start waking up rested.

How Sleep Apnea Treatment Works

Three simple steps — starting with a free conversation, not a sales pitch.

1

Free Phone Consultation with our Sleep Director

Start with a free 15-minute consultation with Thomas D'Acquisto, our Sleep Director with 40 years of experience. He'll review your symptoms, answer your questions, and determine your best next step. No pressure, no commitment — call or text (619) 880-8774.

2

Try an at Home Sleep Study

If a sleep study is needed, we provide an FDA-cleared home sleep test. Pick up the device from our Irvine office, sleep with it one night in your own bed, and have results reviewed by a board-certified sleep physician within days. No overnight lab visit.

3

Experience Restful Sleep & Improved Quality of Life

Thomas connects you with the right specialist for your needs. For most patients, that's a custom-fitted oral appliance — silent, portable, and covered by most medical insurance. Most patients notice improvement within the first week.

Book Your Free Consultation

Or call/text (619) 880-8774 — Thomas answers personally

Why Dana Point Residents Choose Us

Dana Point residents who visit our Irvine office discover specialized care that justifies the short drive. Dr. Joseph Passamano is an AADSM Accredited Member who has sleep apnea himself and wears an oral appliance every night — bringing personal experience to every fitting and adjustment. Thomas D'Acquisto, our Sleep Director with nearly 40 years of experience, conducts free initial consultations that are thorough but never pushy. Home sleep testing means the diagnostic step happens at home in Dana Point, minimizing office visits. Dr. Passamano bills through medical insurance rather than dental, providing better coverage. And the oral appliance itself is perfectly suited to the coastal lifestyle — compact for boat weekends, silent for shared bedrooms, and no electricity needed. Saturday appointments from 9 AM to 1 PM let you combine the drive with errands.

40 Years Experience

Thomas D'Acquisto, Sleep Director

Doctor Uses OAT Himself

Dr. Gamache treats his own sleep apnea nightly

Insurance First

We verify coverage before your first visit

No Pushy Sales Process

Free consultation — zero pressure, zero commitment

Struggling with CPAP? You Have Options

If you've been diagnosed with sleep apnea and prescribed a CPAP machine but can't tolerate it, you're not alone. Research shows that 30–50% of CPAP users abandon therapy within the first year. The mask discomfort, air leaks, noise, dry mouth, and claustrophobia are real — and they're the reason millions of people live with untreated sleep apnea.

Oral appliance therapy is an FDA-cleared alternative that the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends as a first-line treatment for mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, and as an option for severe cases when CPAP is not tolerated. It's a custom-fitted mouthpiece — similar to a retainer — that gently repositions your jaw to keep your airway open. No mask, no machine, no noise.

CPAP

  • Mask and headgear required
  • Machine noise
  • Requires electricity
  • ~50% compliance rate
  • Dry mouth and skin irritation common

Oral Appliance

  • Custom-fitted mouthpiece
  • Completely silent
  • No electricity needed
  • ~90% compliance rate
  • Fits in your pocket for travel

Already have a CPAP diagnosis? You don't need a new sleep study to switch to an oral appliance. Learn why 50% of CPAP users quit within a year. Call Thomas at (619) 880-8774 to discuss your options.

What Patients Are Saying

5/5 Stars

He took care of my tooth even though his office was closed and all his staff were gone. He even called the next morning to follow up. The world needs more doctors like Dr. Joe.

R.T., Irvine, CA
Yelp

I am actually a dentist myself. Dr. Passamano was able to conservatively repair the fractured tooth and matched the color excellently. I highly recommend Dr. Joe Passamano.

K.R.
Yelp

After 3 months of tooth pain, 3 different dentists, 6 appointments and a dozen different pricy treatments — Dr. Joe concluded I had a very bad infection. How none of the other dentists caught this is beyond me!

L.M.
Yelp

Dr. Passamano gave my grandmother her smile back! She is happier now, can eat better, and my family is so grateful for all his work.

C.M., Long Beach, CA
Google

He answered my call on 4th of July, himself. He calmed me down and told me what I should do. His compassion was 10x better and his work just as perfect if not better. 10/10 would recommend.

P.Y., Irvine, CA
Yelp

I've always dreaded going to the dentist until I met Dr. Passamano! Dr. Joe and his wonderful staff stayed late so they could begin the procedure and relieve some of my pain.

L.M.
Google

Dr. Joe is different from other dentists — he actually cares about my teeth and studies the issues with you before actually suggesting fillings.

J.C., Antioch, CA
Google

I usually don't enjoy the dentist, but Dr. Passamano and his team are exceptional. They create a comfortable environment and provide exceptional care.

E.H.
Google

He is very skilled, really cares about your outcomes, and is a really great guy. It was some of the finest dental work I've ever had done.

D.W., Irvine, CA
Google

If I were able to provide more than 5 stars, I'd happily do so. Dr. Joseph treats my family and has always been painless, considerate, and has always done the right thing for us.

Y.W.
Google

Your Irvine Sleep Apnea Specialist

Dr. Joseph Passamano, DDS

Dr. Joseph Passamano, DDS

My Dentist Joe

AADSM Accredited Member

Dr. Joseph Passamano is an AADSM Accredited Member who understands sleep apnea on a personal level — he has sleep apnea himself and uses oral appliances personally. This firsthand experience drives his commitment to helping patients find comfortable, effective alternatives to CPAP. He leads My Dentist Joe in Irvine, providing sleep apnea consultations, home sleep testing, and custom oral appliance therapy. Dr. Passamano bills through medical insurance, making treatment accessible for patients throughout Orange County.

Dr. Joseph Passamano treats his own sleep apnea with an oral appliance every night. He doesn't just prescribe the treatment — he lives with it.

AADSM Accredited Member
View Full Profile

My Dentist Joe

14982 Sand Canyon Avenue

Irvine, CA 92618

(949) 572-7708

Start with a free consultation with Thomas D'Acquisto. He'll review your situation and connect you with Dr. Joseph Passamano if treatment is right for you.

Ready to Sleep Better, Dana Point?

Start with a free consultation with Thomas D’Acquisto — he’ll review your situation and connect you with the right specialist. Call or text (619) 880-8774.

Call or text (619) 880-8774 to schedule your free consultation

(619) 880-8774

Most Patients Pay

$0–$200 Out of Pocket

Most Insurance Accepted

Oral appliance therapy is billed through your medical insurance — not dental. This includes Medicare, TRICARE, and most major carriers. Our team verifies your benefits before treatment begins.

MedicareTRICAREOptum / UnitedHealthKaiserBlue ShieldAnthem Blue CrossAetnaCigna

Serving the Dana Point Community

Dana Point is a coastal resort community built around its harbor — home to whale-watching tours, Doheny State Beach, the annual Festival of Whales, and the Headlands Conservation Area with its dramatic coastal bluffs. Strands Beach and Salt Creek Beach attract surfers and beachgoers year-round, while the Monarch Beach and Lantern District neighborhoods draw affluent families and retirees who value the coastal pace. For Dana Point residents, the fatigue and brain fog from untreated sleep apnea can feel like a natural consequence of salty air and early mornings — but it's actually a treatable medical condition. Our Irvine office is 22 minutes north on the 5, and the drive is straightforward.

22 minutes from Dana Point

From Dana Point, take Pacific Coast Highway to the 5 north and exit at Sand Canyon Avenue. Turn right — our office is at 14982 Sand Canyon Avenue, Irvine, CA 92618. The drive is approximately 22 minutes from Dana Point Harbor and the Lantern District.

Get Directions →

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Sleep Apnea Treatment Near Dana Point: FAQs

Our Irvine office at 14982 Sand Canyon Avenue is approximately 22 minutes from Dana Point via the 5 north. We provide oral appliance therapy, home sleep testing, and free consultations — no referral needed. Call (949) 572-7708 to schedule.
While there are general dentists and sleep medicine physicians in South County, few specialize exclusively in oral appliance therapy with the credentials and personal experience Dr. Passamano brings. He's an AADSM Accredited Member who has sleep apnea himself and bills through medical insurance for better coverage. The 22-minute drive to Irvine is well worth the specialized expertise. Call (949) 572-7708.
Yes. Dr. Passamano bills oral appliance therapy through your medical insurance, not dental — providing significantly better coverage for most patients. We accept Medicare, Optum/UnitedHealth, Kaiser, Blue Shield, Anthem Blue Cross, Aetna, Cigna, and most major medical carriers. We verify your benefits before treatment begins. Call (949) 572-7708.
An oral appliance is ideal for boat life and the coastal lifestyle. It's small enough to fit in a toiletry bag, requires no electricity or water, makes no noise, and works anywhere you sleep. Unlike CPAP — which needs power, distilled water, and creates noise — an oral appliance is truly portable. Dr. Passamano travels with his own and can speak to the convenience firsthand. Call (949) 572-7708.
Yes. Dr. Passamano offers Saturday hours from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM (call for availability at (949) 572-7708). For Dana Point residents, a Saturday drive up the 5 takes about 22 minutes — you can combine your appointment with Irvine-area errands.
From Dana Point, take PCH to the 5 north and exit at Sand Canyon Avenue. Turn right — our office is at 14982 Sand Canyon Avenue, Irvine, CA 92618. The drive is approximately 22 minutes from the harbor area. Call (949) 572-7708 if you need directions.
You should never stop CPAP without a plan for alternative treatment. Untreated obstructive sleep apnea increases your risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. If CPAP is not working for you, talk to your provider about transitioning to an oral appliance or another clinically validated alternative. The goal is continuous treatment, not no treatment.
Yes. If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and are struggling with CPAP, you are a strong candidate for oral appliance therapy. Your sleep physician can write a prescription for an oral appliance, and most insurance carriers cover the switch. You typically do not need a new sleep study — your existing diagnosis is sufficient.
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where your breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. The most common type, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), happens when the muscles in your throat relax and block your airway. This can happen dozens or even hundreds of times per night, preventing you from getting restful sleep and putting strain on your heart.
Common signs include loud snoring, waking up gasping or choking, excessive daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, difficulty concentrating, and irritability. Your partner may notice that you stop breathing during sleep. The only way to confirm a diagnosis is with a sleep study, which can now be done at home with a simple device.

Take the First Step Tonight

Call or text Thomas D’Acquisto at (619) 880-8774 — even at 2am when you can’t sleep. Or book your free consultation online.

Call or text (619) 880-8774 to schedule your free consultation

(619) 880-8774