Clinical Practice Guidelines For Dental Treatment In Patients With Dementia

Dementia refers to the decline in cognitive abilities like thinking, memory, and reasoning, significantly affecting daily life. Rather than a specific condition, it's a complex syndrome stemming from various brain disorders leading to decreased cognitive function. It often results from multiple diseases, with Alzheimer's disease being the most prevalent among the elderly. Other forms include vascular dementia, frontotemporal lobar degeneration, Parkinson's disease, and dementia with Lewy bodies. In younger adults, causes may involve traumatic brain injury or brain tumors. Symptoms typically encompass memory loss, problem-solving difficulties, language issues, and alterations in mood or behavior. Individuals with dementia often struggle to maintain personal and oral hygiene, which may be exacerbated by medications like neuroleptics or antidepressants, known to have adverse effects on oral health. Providing dental care to these patients presents unique challenges, including obtaining informed consent. Improving dental treatment for such individuals involves creating patient-centered care guidelines. Collaborating with caregivers and healthcare professionals is crucial to deliver comprehensive care. This review aims to offer clinical practice recommendations for dental treatment in patients diagnosed with dementia.