Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
What is
Alzheimers?
Alzheimers disease is a progressive irreversible
brain disorder characterized by intellectual and
cognitive disturbance, behavioral changes, and
eventually a state of complete dependence
Alzheimers is the most common form of dementia
Accounts for 60-80% of all dementia cases
Dementia is the general term for a decline in mental
ability severe enough to interfere with daily life
Etiology
Etiology: UNKNOWN
could be affected by genetics, environment, nutrition,
free radicals, and infectious agents
Average duration is 8 to 10 years from onset of symptoms
to death
Occurrence
Alzhemiers affects
There are 2 types:
Early onset: very rare seen in patients in the 30s and 40s
Late onset: most common, seen in patients over 65
Symptoms (7 stages)
3. MILD COGNITIVE DECLINE (EARLY
1. No impairment (normal function):
person does not experience any memory
problems
2. Very mild cognitive decline (may be
normal age related changes in memory or
early stages of Alzheimer's disease:
forgetting familiar words or the location of
everyday objects
Person may feel as if he or she is
having memory lapses
No symptoms of dementia can be
detected during a medical
examination
Difficulty of personal
history
Know own name
Trouble remembering
caregiver or spouse name
Need help dressing
properly
Frequent problem
controlling bladder or
bowels
Experience major
changes in sleep patterns
Treatment
No proven treatment to preventor cure.
Medications slow the progression of the
disease and temporarily improve
cognitive function.
Medications used for mild to moderate
symptoms:
Cholinesterase inhibitors
DH
Early
Stages
CONSIDERATIONS
Review of patients M/D history at each
maintenance appointment may reveal lapses in
memory and other signs of early disease
An early sign may be a slow decline of interest in oral hygiene and
personal care
DH CONSIDERATIONS
Late Stages
Routine intraoral examination to assess lesions due to
cancer, medications, or injury
Sedation may be required
Possible need for mouth prop and physical restraints
Power toothbrushes may improve dental biofilm
removal
Caregivers assume daily oral care
Patient may reside in a long term facility, dental
hygienists who specialize in the treatment of this
population may oversee primary oral care
Caregiver Instructions
Brush teeth twice a day
Floss teeth once a day
Clean mouth and dentures after every meal
Visually inspect the patients teeth and
gums once a month
Schedule regular dentist visits
Pre med
Patient postioning
Ultrasonic use
recall intervals
appointment lenght
References
Friedlander, A. H., Norman, D. C., Mahler, M. E., Norman, K. M., & Yagiela, J. A. (2006).
Alzheimer's disease. Psychopathology, medical management and dental implications. The
Journal Of The American Dental Association, 1371240-1251.
doi:10.14219/jada.archive.2006.0381
Moore, K. D. (2000). Book Review: There's Still a Person in There: The Complete Guide to
Treating and Coping with Alzheimer's. American Journal Of Alzheimer's Disease & Other
Dementias, 15(2), 72. doi:10.1177/153331750001500202
Gruetzner, H. (2001). Alzheimer's : A Caregiver's Guide and Sourcebook. New York: John Wiley
& Sons, Inc. [US].
Martande, S. S., Pradeep, A. R., Singh, S. P., Kumari, M., Suke, D. K., Raju, A. P., & ... Chatterji, A.
(2014). Periodontal health condition in patients with Alzheimers disease. American Journal Of
Alzheimer's Disease And Other Dementias, 29(6), 498-502. doi:10.1177/1533317514549650
Votruba, K. L., Persad, C., & Giordani, B. (2015). Patient mood and instrumental activities of
daily living in Alzheimer disease: Relationship between patient and caregiver reports. Journal Of
Geriatric Psychiatry And Neurology, 28(3), 203-209. doi:10.1177/0891988715588829
Abbayya, K., Puthanakar, N. Y., Naduwinmani, S., & Chidambar, Y. S. (2015). Association
between Periodontitis and Alzheimer's Disease. North American Journal Of Medical Sciences,
7(6), 241-246. doi:10.4103/1947-2714.159325
Monastero, R., Caruso, C., & Vasto, S. (2014). Alzheimer's disease and infections, where we
stand and where we go. Immunity & Ageing, 11107-114. doi:10.1186/s12979-014-0026-4
Wilkins, E., (2013). Clinical Practice of the Dental Hygienist. 802-803