Prosthodontic treatment for elderly outpatients with cognitive decline

Abstract

It is estimated that older adults with dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) account for nearly 30% of the elderly population. Although individuals with dementia are unlikely to seek outpatient dental care on their own initiative, a substantial number of patients with MCI, as well as those whose cognitive function is expected to decline over time, continue to attend outpatient clinics.

Therefore, assessment of cognitive function prior to the initiation of dental treatment is considered essential. When cognitive decline is identified, it is necessary to determine—through shared decision-making involving not only the patient but also family members or legal representatives—whether invasive or long-term treatment is feasible. However, treatment decisions should not default to overly conservative approaches that may disadvantage the patient. Furthermore, as the difficulty of providing dental prosthetic treatment increases after the onset of cognitive impairment, appropriate oral management through dental visits before cognitive decline is strongly recommended.