Lots of areas have developed care pathways and are working with memory clinics to identify those who do not have a regular dentists

Poor oral health is often linked to poor general health such as aspiration pneumonia. If you brush teeth it reduces community acquired pneumonia by 67% according to a recent rapid literature review

It’s about training and education- dementia skilled dental teams learning from those skill dementia carers and those who know the patient best and listening

If someone has always been good at oral hygiene then keep encouraging in early- moderate stages your mum will know how to clean adequately. Maintenance of independence is paramount. When this wanes - dementia dental teams have techniques to help to keep it going #DiverseAlz

In Wales we have had training of carers and mouthcare risk assessment and care plans in care homes for past 5 years ‘Gwen am Byth’and Scotland has Caring for Smiles#DiverseAlz

Dentures should be labelled for people living with dementia incase the dentures are misplaced. It is easy to do and can be added in a discrete place #DiverseAlz

Absolutely agree Mili. We have dental practices in my area who are working towards dementia friendly status recognised by Alzheimer’s Soc #diversealz

Not being able to eat may not necessarily be due to dental pain in the advanced stages of dementia. But dental pain should be ruled out by the dental team should families or carers be concerned #diversealz

The analogy I use is the kitchen floor- you need to use mop/brush to clean properly- same for teeth. #diversealz

BSG would be interested in specific issues affecting access to dental care for people living with dementia. Is such a challenge for everyone especially for vulnerable adults

Identify those when they are first diagnosed to ensure OH is embedded in overall health care and access to dementia friendly dental teams