The growing number of Alzheimer type dementia cases makes it a subject of utmost importance at present. In spite of intense research efforts, no curative treatment is yet available. The patient becoming less cooperative, autonomous and conscient of his health, the importance of dental care may seem rather questionable. Nevertheless, facing present therapeutic difficulties, the patients' well being including his dental health, should not be neglected. The dental practitioner has to evaluate the patients' state of dementia in order to understand how far cooperation and adaptation can still reach, distinguishing three situations : the patient is able to receive almost every normal therapy ; pure emergency measures and the patient in deep dementia. Various difficulties are encountered usually in residential homes: Insufficient financial backup and chronic overwork of the nursing teams often result in neglecting the patients' dental care on the day to day bases. A general guideline is proposed according to the state of dementia and thus the degree of cooperation.
Authors : C. ABIN-JAUNET, V. ARMENGOL, C. CHAUSSAIN-MILLER, O. RODAT, O. LABOUX
