Oral health and dental treatment for people with dementia

Alex; er Schembri

Oral health and dental treatment for people with dementia

Alexander Schembri

University of Malta, Malta

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Abstract

People with dementia may no longer have or will reach a stage when they no longer have the ability to voice their needs for oral care and treatment, carry out daily oral hygiene to a level that prevents disease, make informed choice and give valid consent for treatment. This may have a negative effect on the oral health of the individual and on the quality of life. Thus to contribute to maintain an acceptable quality of life of persons with dementia, the dental team has the specific role to keep them free of oral infections, restore their dentition so they can enjoy eating, maintain speech and aesthetics as long as possible.

Biography

Alexander Schembri has Graduated in 1989 Bachelor of Dental Surgery, post graduate diploma in Gerodontology and Geriatrics in 1993 and Masters in Gerodontology and Geriatrics in 2003 from the University of Malta. Inducted fellow of FICD in 2016. She is the founder member of the Maltese Association of Geriatrics and Gerodontology. He is the past president of the European College of Gerodontology ECG 2016/17. He is also a visiting lecturer at University of Malta and responsible for the teaching of Gerodontology; Author of the children’s book Id-dentatura tan-nanna.(Grandma’s dentures); Awarded’ Best Elderly Oral Healthcare Initiative at the Oral Health & Dentistry Awards 2018.

Publications

Gerd Göstemeyer, Sarah R. Baker, Falk Schwendicke, Barriers and facilitators for provision of oral health care in dependent older people: a systematic review, Clinical Oral Investigations, 10.1007/s00784-019-02812-4, (2019).
Clovis Mariano Faggion, Critical appraisal of evidence supporting the placement of dental implants in patients with neurodegenerative diseases, Gerodontology, 10.1111/ger.12100, 33, 1, (2-10), (2013).
Fernando F. Portella, Aline W. Rocha, Daniel C. Haddad, Carmem B.B. Fortes, Fernando N. Hugo, Dalva M.P. Padilha, Susana M.W. Samuel, Oral hygiene caregivers’ educational programme improves oral health conditions in institutionalised independent and functional elderly, Gerodontology, 10.1111/ger.12049, 32, 1, (28-34), (2013).
Beatriz Unfer, Katia O. Braun, Ana C. de Oliveira Ferreira, Gabrielle R. Ruat, Aline K. Batista, Challenges and barriers to quality oral care as perceived by caregivers in long‐stay institutions in Brazil, Gerodontology, 10.1111/j.1741-2358.2011.00475.x, 29, 2, (e324-e330), (2011).