Treatment of patients with mild dementia in the clinic setting

When a dementia patient comes to the clinic

Abstract

With the increasing number of patients with dementia is increasing, appropriate measures are wanted in dental practice. Dementia is defined as a condition that interferes with daily life due to cognitive impairment. In the clinic settings, where outpatients with early dementia are more often seen than those with late dementia, it is necessary to recognize and appropriately respond to each and every initial symptom. If the dementia is mild, dental treatment is possible to a certain extent, taking the patient's condition into consideration. Since deterioration of the oral environment is predicted to occur as cognitive function declines with dementia, predictive management of oral function and oral hygiene is important. The causes of deterioration of the oral environment include difficulty in self-care due to higher brain dysfunction and refusal of oral hygiene management by others. Since patients with dementia are relatively more likely to accept “familiar ” actions and events performed by “familiar ” people, we believe that building such relationship through early oral hygiene management, such as regular visits, is one way to help manage the oral environment of patients with dementia. In addition, dental clinics and dental professionals can support patients with dementia and their families by collaborating with social resources, such as community comprehensive support centers, as a member of the community comprehensive care system. It is important for dentistry to provide comprehensive support for patients with dementia, not only in terms of their oral health, but also in terms of their general condition and living environment.