Meet the Doctor
Sue Ellen Richardson, DDS
Dr. Sue Ellen Richardson became interested in the science of dental sleep medicine after sleep apnea disturbances caused her mother to fall out of bed, cracking one of her vertebrae. Her mother proved to be CPAP (Continuous Positive Air Pressure) intolerant. After intense research on sleep apnea and its treatments, Dr. Richardson fabricated an oral appliance that allowed her mother to sleep safely and restfully. Dr. Richardson was grateful that her own field of expertise, dentistry, could help her mother and eliminate the significant dangers associated with her mother’s untreated condition.
Later, Dr. Richardson accepted as a patient a young married woman whose snoring kept her husband awake and forced her to sleep on a couch. Dr. Richardson fabricated an appliance that reduced her snoring to the point that she could return to sharing a bed quietly with her husband. Her loud snoring no longer kept him awake.
These experiences proved so successful that Dr. Richardson started to treat more and more patients and soon realized what a valuable option Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) was to her patients. In 2009, Dr. Richardson joined the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine and received Diplomate status in 2013. She is also a Fellow in The American Academy of Craniofacial Pain.
Dr. Richardson follows the recommended guidelines for treatment with intra-oral appliances in Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and snoring management. Before recommending a specific brand of appliance to a patient, Dr. Richardson has first tried the appliance on herself. Dr. Richardson only works with FDA-approved appliances for the treatment of snoring and OSA. Other types do exist, but can be limiting. At present, Dr. Richardson prefers to work with several types of adjustable appliances, the choice of which is dependent on many patient factors.
Dr. Richardson is devoted to the well-being of her patients and keeps in communication with referring members of the medical and dental fields. Her commitment to offering patients an option to treat their OSA and snoring is saving lives and marriages every day. Dr. Richardson is following the disturbing new evidence of a correlation between obesity and sleep disorders.
She has presented to the Texas Society of Sleep Professionals, the Houston City Wide Sleep Conference, the Greater Houston Dental Society, and to many sleep physicians and sleep laboratories. Dr. Richardson has been featured in Time magazine and chosen as one of H Texas Magazine’s Top Dentists of 2023, Houstonia Top Dentists of 2023, and Texas Monthly’s Super Dentists of 2023, and has been winning these accolades for years. She completed her undergraduate studies at Rice University. She went on to study dentistry at the University of Texas Dental School at Houston and graduated in 1980. The Academy of General Dentistry honored her with a Mastership for her completion of its rigorous comprehensive post-doctorate education.
Member Spotlight
I am honored to be recognized by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine for inclusion in their 2024 Member Spotlight.
Learn more about my career and some of my memorable highlights practicing sleep medicine.
– Sue Ellen Richardson, DDS, D.ABDSN, MAGD
CURRICULUM VITAE
SUE ELLEN RICHARDSON, DDS, MAGD, FICD, FAACP, D. ABDSM, D. ABCDSM
7000 Fannin Street, Suite 1660, Houston, TX 77030
(713) 796-9600 Office
EDUCATION
American Academy of Craniofacial Pain
Mini Residency in Craniofacial Pain 2010
The University of Texas School of Dentistry, Houston, TX
Mini Residency Full Mouth Reconstruction 2004
Mini Residency Functional Anterior Esthetics 2004
Mini Residency Endodontic Therapy 1986
Mini Residency Periodontal Therapy 1984
The University of Texas School of Dentistry, Houston, TX
Doctor of Dental Surgery 1980
Rice University, Houston, TX
Bachelor of Arts, Biochemistry 1976
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Private Practice, Houston, TX 1980 – Present
Took over existing general dental practice in 1982. Now exclusively focusing on Dental Sleep Medicine.
ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS
The University of Texas School of Dentistry Houston 2022
AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DENTAL SLEEP MEDICINE (AADSM)
COMMITTEE AND VOLUNTEER POSITIONS
AADSM Chair of the Practice Management and Patient Resource Review Committee 2019-2023
AADSM Professional Ethics Committee 2022-2023
AADSM Task Force on Temporary Appliances 2022
AADSM Accreditation Committee 2018-2020
AADSM Task Force Screening and Treating Patients with Oral Appliance Therapy 2019
AADSM Task Force Communication with Treating Physicians 2019
AADSM Speaker Essentials, Board Review, and Practical 2016-2018
AADSM Annual Meeting Committee 2014-2016
AWARDS
Approved by the Veterans Administration as Their Vendor for Providing Veterans with Oral Appliance Therapy 2021
American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine Facility Accreditation 2018
Diplomate, American Board of Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine 2014
Diplomate, American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine 2013
Fellow, American Academy of Craniofacial Pain 2011
Master, Academy of General Dentistry 1992
Fellow, International College of Dentists 1991
1st Place Edward Cooksey Award Table Clinic, Star of the South 1990
Recognition Award, Greater Houston Dental Society 1989
Fellow, Academy of General Dentistry 1989
President’s Award for Community Service, Greater Houston Dental Society 1988
Table Clinic Award Winner, Greater Houston Dental Meeting 1985
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
University of Texas McGovern Medical School in Houston: Sleep Medicine Fellowship
Teach Fellows 2013 to Present – “Oral Appliance Therapy”
Baylor College of Medicine: Sleep Medicine Fellowship
Teach Fellows 2013 to Present – “Oral Appliance Therapy”
City Wide Sleep Conference 2020
“Oral Appliance Therapy:
Working Together for the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea”
Annual Meeting Academy of General Dentistry Speaker Combination Therapy 2019
Taught Dentists about Combination Therapy
Sleep Show National Sleep Foundation Speaker Oral Appliance Therapy & Narcolepsy 2019
Teacher with The Sleep Education Consortium Dental Sleep Medicine Conference 2019
Teach Dentists Oral Appliance Therapy
AADSM Practical Course 2016, 2017
Oral Appliance Therapy: Insertion, Follow-up, and Sequelae
AADSM Board Review Course 2017
Indications, Contraindications, Possible Complications and Side Effects and Long-Term Follow-up
AADSM Essentials Course 2016
Oral Appliance Therapy: Insertion, Follow-up, and Sequelae
Houston Women of Sleep 2016
Lecturer – “Oral Appliances for Treatment of Sleep Apnea”
American Dental Association 2014 Annual Meeting San Antonio 2014
Lecturer – “Dental Sleep Medicine in Your Practice”
A.W.A.K.E. Meeting Baylor College of Medicine 2015
Lecturer – “Oral Appliances for Treatment of Sleep Apnea”
Greater Houston Dental Society Tale and Ale
Lecturer – “Sleep Medicine and Dentistry: The Connection” 2013
Lecturer – “TSBDE Rule 108.12: Dental Treatment of Sleep Disorders – What Is It and Why the Controversy?” 2014
Houston City-Wide Sleep Medicine Conference 2013
Lecturer – “Multidisciplinary Sleep Medicine Care: Where Does the Oral Appliance Fit In?”
Texas Society of Sleep Professionals 2013
Lecturer – ‘Multidisciplinary Sleep Medicine Care: Where Does the Oral Appliance Fit In?’
Kelsey-Seybold Clinic Pulmonary and Sleep Conference 2012
Lecturer – “Mandibular Advancement Devices for Obstructive Sleep Apnea”
Greater Houston Dental Meeting 1991
Lecturer – “Lasers or Neon Dentistry…Media Hype or the Newest Answer to for Restorative Dentistry”
The University of Texas School of Dentistry 1990
Lecturer – “Home Bleaching- History and Efficacy”
Greater Houston Dental Meeting 1990
Lecturer – “Home Bleaching – A Blessing or A Curse?”
RELATED EXPERIENCE
The City-Wide Sleep Medicine Conference Monthly Presentations, Baylor, and UT Sleep Medicine Residents
Attendee 2012-2013
Houston Community College, Coleman College for Health Sciences
Member, Polysomnography Steering Committee 2010-2011
Greater Houston Dental Society
Member, Media Relations Committee 1987-1990
Houston International Initiatives, chaired by Houston City Council member Eleanor Tinsley
Lecturer, Seminar to Mexican Dentists, in Monterrey and Guadalajara 1990
Greater Houston Dental Society
Chair, Dental Assistants’ Training Program 1986-1990
KPRC-TV Medical Board
Member 1986-1990
DeBakey High School for Health Professions, Houston Independent School District
Board Member 1985-1990
The University of Texas Dental Branch Building Fund
Founder Member 1989
Leadership Houston, Houston Partnership
Class VII Member 1988-1989
Some of Dr. Richardson’s notable mentions and associations include:
- FAGD: Fellow in The Academy of General Dentistry 1989
- FICD: Fellow in The International College of Dentists since 1991
- MAGD: Master in The Academy of General Dentistry since 1991
- FAACP: Fellow in The American Academy of Craniofacial Pain, received Fellowship in 2011
- DABDSM: Diplomate in The American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine 2013
- H Texas Magazine’s Houston’s Top Dentists since 2005
- Texas Monthly “Super Dentist” since 2006
- America’s Top Dentists Award from Consumers’ Research Council since 2008
- Time magazine since 2011
- Houstonia Top Dentist since 2016
She has traveled the country and spent hundreds of hours in seminars, study clubs, and other continuing education courses in order to stay current on advances in the field. As a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, Dr. Richardson is able to help diagnose and treat both snoring and sleep apnea. Whether it’s “just snoring” that is disturbing a bed partner, or the more dangerous Obstructive Sleep Apnea that puts you at higher risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke and diabetes, she can treat these situations with the use of a customized oral appliance.
Schedule an Appointment With Us Today
Dr. Richardson is serious about helping you achieve a good night’s sleep. To schedule a consultation with us, call Sue Ellen Richardson, DDS, in Houston, TX, today at 713-796-9600. We also serve patients who live in Bellaire, River Oaks, Southside Place, and all surrounding communities.