University Park

Video: Dementia patients' oral hygiene benefits from techniques

University Park, Pa. -- People with dementia resist care when they feel threatened, according to Rita A. Jablonski, Penn State assistant professor of nursing. In general, these patients cannot care for themselves and need help.

"Poor oral health can lead to pneumonia and cardiovascular disease as well as periodontal disease," said Jablonski, even though these illnesses are not usually associated with the mouth. Nurses who care for patients with dementia now have a tailored approach to dental hygiene for their charges, thanks to a pilot study by Jablonski and other nurses.

Watch a video about Jablonski's study at /video/156652/2013/02/09/video-no-title.

A researched set of caregiver techniques can offer dementia patients better oral hygiene and more respect. Click on the image above to watch the video. Credit: Penn StateCreative Commons

"Poor oral health can lead to pneumonia and cardiovascular disease as well as periodontal disease," said Rita A. Jablonski, even though these illnesses are not usually associated with the mouth. According to Jablonski, assistant professor of nursing, Penn State, persons with dementia resist care when they feel threatened. In general, these patients cannot care for themselves and need help. Nurses who care for patients with dementia now have a tailored approach to dental hygiene for their charges, thanks to a pilot study by Jablonski and other nurses. Produced by C Roy Parker 

Last Updated July 28, 2011

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