Cognitive Decline and the Dental Patient: Geriatric Dental Medicine Perspective

Mrs. X has been your patient since you first took over your dental practice, she’s always on time, has excellent compliance but she missed her 6 month recall appointment. Her daughter called to say that she has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, what will do next? 

The older adult population in the United States is growing rapidly, and more than 80% of adults aged 65 years and older live with at least one chronic medical condition, while nearly 70% have two or more. Many of these conditions including Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, Parkinson's disease, cerebrovascular disease, and other neurodegenerative disorders are associated with varying degrees of cognitive decline, creating new challenges for the delivery of safe, effective, and patient-centered dental care.

Cognitive decline can significantly affect oral health through progressive impairments in memory, executive function, communication, behaviour, and the ability to perform daily oral hygiene. These changes often lead to increased rates of dental disease while complicating diagnosis, treatment planning, informed consent, and the provision of routine dental care. As the number of older adults seeking dental treatment continues to rise, dental professionals must be equipped with practical strategies to recognize and manage the unique needs of this growing patient population.

This course will focus on the dental management of patients experiencing cognitive decline (among other chronic conditions), including the oral health implications of cognitive impairment and commonly prescribed medications, modifications to clinical care and communication, treatment planning across the spectrum of cognitive decline, and evidence-based approaches for delivering safe, compassionate, and patient-centered dental care.