Hi all, it's been ages since I posted, but now something has come up and I need your advice please.
Mum who has vascular dementia and by all accounts is quite advanced is now unable to respond when attending her regular dental check. She has always been fastidious when it comes to her dental routine and spent a pretty penny on dental work in the good old days. I have been sure to keep up her 6 monthly check-ups, but this time it became quite obvious to myself and the dentist, that she is now at the stage where she is unable to respond to his basic requests to openwide etc. He said that she has a build up of plaque and when he tried to remove it she couldn't stand it and became quite anxious.
How on earth does someone like mum with dementia get their teeth treated and where do we go when she needs treatment like a filling for example? Her dentist has told me that he would be unable to do any work for her if needed. When I asked the manager of her care home as to what happens to residents in this case, she basically said that the teeth detiriorate and its then dentures.
It might sound stupid, but I refuse to let bloody dementia get her teeth as well!
Mum who has vascular dementia and by all accounts is quite advanced is now unable to respond when attending her regular dental check. She has always been fastidious when it comes to her dental routine and spent a pretty penny on dental work in the good old days. I have been sure to keep up her 6 monthly check-ups, but this time it became quite obvious to myself and the dentist, that she is now at the stage where she is unable to respond to his basic requests to openwide etc. He said that she has a build up of plaque and when he tried to remove it she couldn't stand it and became quite anxious.
How on earth does someone like mum with dementia get their teeth treated and where do we go when she needs treatment like a filling for example? Her dentist has told me that he would be unable to do any work for her if needed. When I asked the manager of her care home as to what happens to residents in this case, she basically said that the teeth detiriorate and its then dentures.
It might sound stupid, but I refuse to let bloody dementia get her teeth as well!