Dentists

[turk]

Hello I recently took my partner Dianne to the dentist for a check up. Dianne has early onset dementia and is at the severe end of the disease with little communication skills or speech. Although her Hygienist is a caring soul she was a bit put out when Dianne bit her finger, well I did tell her it was unwise to go poking around in her mouth with her actual digit.
On this occasion she was ok but this got me thinking has anybody had to take there partner at the severe end of the disease for dental work was this done at there dentist or did thay have to go to hospital so a general anaesthetic could be used so the patient wasn't stressed.

[Christin]

Hello Turk, I do think it depends a lot on the dentist, some will do home visits and some will not. Certainly our dentist was prepared to do this.

This is a link to the AS factsheet re Dental Care and Dementia. It may be of some help. It does explain how to find a specialist, if care becomes beyond your own dentist.

I am sure others will be along soon with other experiences.

Very best wishes to you x

[Vivienne3]

My husband will not go out of the house now and I was worried about his teeth as I do not want him to get any infections. I spoke with my dentist and they referred him to the community dentist. They will come round to the house, which can be alot less stressful, and give the person a check up. They would not carry out any work there but would if it was needed refer to the dental hospital where they may sedate them if work was required. They were very nice and understanding and my husband, amazingly did as they asked him and his teeth were fine.
Hope this helps.