the ideal time to take care of all necessary dental treatments is soon after the person has been diagnosed with dementia. this way only easier maintenance treatments will be needed as the person ages. however the elderly with moderate levels of dementia can be treated and can receive anesthesia. setting a dental appointment early in the day when the person with dementia is most alert may be best. also the caregiver needs to communicate to the person with dementia that he or she is going to the dentist and state the reason for the visit.
can dentists treat the elderly if they have moderate dementia?