Compassion and extra care go a long way to make people with dementia comfortable at the dentist. Sedation is an option for some patients who are particularly anxious or unco-operative. But the frail health condition of dementia patients sometimes precludes sedation. Dr. Mary McNally, a professor at Dalhousie University's School of Dentistry, is passionate about improving dental care for seniors at the school's elder care clinic. She spearheaded a large research and training project, called Brushing up on Mouth Care, which outlines what dementia is and how it can affect a patient's behaviour during dental care visits. McNally thinks consistent dental care is important given the prevalence of dental diseases such as cavities among people with dementia in long-term care, as well as the decreasing incidence of dentures among seniors generally.
The oral care manual houses information on all of the hands-on and educational tools developed as part of this project. It includes: Toolkits; Care Cards; Daily and annual oral health assessments; Posters;Information Sheets on topics such as proper technique for brushing and flossing; Oral care products and aids; and Educational Videos.