Recognising Changes and Understanding Stages
Dementia often develops gradually and differently in each person. Some patients keep social skills but struggle to learn new information. Others become anxious, suspicious, withdrawn, impulsive, or easily overwhelmed. Dental nurses should not diagnose, but they can notice changes that affect safe dental care.
Symptoms that led to my mother being diagnosed with dementia
Changes that may affect dental care
- Repeated missed appointments or arriving on the wrong day.
- Difficulty following instructions that used to be understood.
- New anxiety, irritability, suspicion, or withdrawal.
- Worsening oral hygiene, unexplained caries risk, or denture neglect.
- Difficulty describing pain, medical history, medicines, or home routines.
Stages can be a simple shorthand but should not replace individual assessment. A person in early dementia may still make many decisions and attend alone. Later on they may need help with travel, communication, consent discussions, daily mouth care, eating, denture care, and post-treatment instructions. Appointments should be adjusted to the patient's needs on the day.
Dental nurses should not diagnose dementia, but they should not ignore changes that affect safety, consent, dignity, or access to care.
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