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Meet Dr. Steve

A clinician who listens first, and treats sleep like it actually matters
People come to Seattle Sleep because they are tired of being tired, tired of being rushed, and tired of being handed solutions that never quite solve the problem.
Dr. Steve Carstensen built this practice for people who want to be taken seriously and who are ready to understand what is really happening in their body.

Fellow of the AASM

Fellow standing recognizes outstanding contributions in sleep medicine, significant achievements in the field, and dedicated membership in the AASM.

Diplomate, American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine

ABDSM Diplomate
This is the highest credential in dental sleep medicine. ABDSM Diplomates have met the rigorous certification requirements of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine and have extensive education that aligns with the AADSM’s evidence-based, unbiased standards for practice.
Learn More about Dr. Steve
Why I Built Seattle Sleep

Because the old model was not enough.

For years, I watched patients move through the system the same way. They snored, stopped breathing at night, woke up exhausted, and were handed a device or a bill, often without a real explanation.
I was part of that system too, and I grew increasingly uncomfortable with it.
Sleep and airway problems affect how you think, how you feel, how your heart and brain function, and how you show up for the people you love. Treating that with rushed visits and surface-level solutions did not sit right with me. Seattle Sleep exists because I wanted to slow down, listen more carefully, test what actually matters, and build a plan with patients instead of for them.
How I Work With You

Partnership is not optional here.

If we work together, I am going to ask a lot of you. I will ask you to gather your records, reflect on your symptoms, and participate actively in your care. That is not because I want to make things harder. It is because better outcomes require shared responsibility.

In return, I will:

  • Respect your intelligence
  • Take your concerns seriously
  • Explain what I see and why it matters
  • Be honest about what will help and what will not
  • Stay involved long enough to make sure the plan works in real life
This is not quick, transactional care. It is thoughtful, collaborative care designed for people who want lasting improvement.
What I Look For

How I think about sleep and breathing.

Every patient is different, but there are patterns I pay close attention to. These include:

Airway restriction and breathing mechanics

Nasal breathing quality and obstruction

Jaw position and structural contributors

Cardiovascular and neurologic risk signals

Your lived experience of fatigue, brain fog, and daytime function

My job is to connect these pieces, explain them clearly, and help you decide what makes sense for your body and your life.

Talk With Me

Watch a short intro video to get a feel for how we work together and what you can expect from this practice.

Experience & Perspective

Depth without detachment

I bring years of experience in sleep-related dental and airway care, but experience alone is not the point. What matters is how that experience is applied.
I do not practice medicine by script or checklist alone. I practice by listening, observing patterns, and staying curious. When something falls outside my scope, I collaborate and refer. When something deserves closer attention, I slow down.
That approach is the foundation of Seattle Sleep.

A Final Word

This is about trust

If you choose to work with me, you will not be rushed. You will not be talked down to. You will not be treated like a diagnosis code.
You will be treated like a partner.
If that sounds like the kind of care you have been looking for, the next step is to see if this model fits you.
Find Out If This Is the Right Fit
Start Your Seattle Sleep Profile
Find Out If This Is the Right Fit
Start Your Seattle Sleep Profile

Steve Carstensen, DDS

Fellow, Academy of General Dentistry

Fellow, American College of Dentistry

Fellow, International College of Dentistry

Diplomate, American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine

Fellow, American Academy of Sleep Medicine

 Steve Carstensen DDS has treated sleep apnea and snoring in Bellevue, WA since 1998. He’s the Consultant to the ADA for sleep related breathing disorders and heads the ADA’s Children’s Airway Initiative. He trained at UCLA’s Mini-Residency in Dental Sleep Medicine and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine and Fellow of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. He lectures internationally with the World Sleep Society and is on the board of the World Sleep Academy. He is the primary sleep educator at the Pankey Institute, in addition to advising several breathing and sleep-related manufacturers. In 2014 he helped found Dental Sleep Practice Magazine.  He has written chapters for several related textbooks. In 2019, A Clinician’s Handbook for Dental Sleep Medicine, written with a co-author, was released, with a second edition published by Quintessence available now. The AADSM awarded him the 2023 Distinguished Service Award.