Behavior management and communication strategies for dental professionals when caring for patients with dementia

Abstract

The impact of dementia and associated behavioral problems on the oral health of long-term-care-facility residents is increasing. The provision of oral hygiene care for these cognitively impaired residents is difficult and complex. Dental professionals and carers need good communication skills with cognitively impaired residents, and specific strategies for the management and prevention of their behavioral problems. Newer philosophies of dementia care enable dental professionals and carers to use more individualized and non-pharmacological approaches for dental treatment and preventive oral care provision. This paper reviews behavior management and communication strategies from the dental literature, and newer techniques and interventions from dementia research and literature.