title: Cognitive impairment in older adults and oral health considerations: treatment and management.
abstract: Worldwide incidences of degenerative cognitive diseases are increasing as the population ages. This decline in mental function frequently causes behavioral changes that directly affect oral health. The loss of interest and ability to complete the simple tasks of brushing and flossing can cause a rapid development of hard and soft tissue diseases that result in decreased function and increased dental pain. The challenge for the dental community is to understand and to identify the early signs of cognitive dysfunction so as to develop a rational treatment strategy that allows patients to comfortably maintain their teeth for as long as possible.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Health Policy and Epidemiology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, 188 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Leonard J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Brennan
authors.affiliation: Geriatric Psychiatry, CHA Whidden Hospital Campus, Cambridge Health Alliance, 103 Garland Street, Everett, MA 02149, USA. Electronic address: Jbstrauss@challiance.org.
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Strauss
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D016321:Dental Care for Aged; D003730:Dental Care for Persons with Disabilities; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D009909:Oral Health; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010347:Patient Care Planning
keywords: Alzheimer's disease; Cognitive impairment; Delirium; Dementia; Depression; Rational care