I just noticed some black spots on a few of my dad’s teeth near the gum line. I’m guessing this is from years of not going to see a dentist.
I feel awful that I didn’t see them before. I’ve been in charge of his care since February. Luckily he isn’t in any pain.
I’m looking for advice or info on how he can get dental care while in a wheelchair. He needs a two person assist to get in the dentist chair and the staff at the dentist office can’t help me move him. I can’t pick him up on my own. Anyone else ever dealt with this? Wondering if they could clean his teeth in his wheelchair chair or do I need to scramble to find someone to come help me lift him?
Also any advice on cavities and dental work for someone with advanced Alzheimer’s is helpful too.
If so, you should call around to all local dentists to see who is willing and able to work on such a patient preferably in the wheelchair. Otherwise you will need to get permission to bring your own 2 people to get him in and out of the chair (this is a liability issue for the practice). If so, can your father put his head back and keep his mouth open for work? Will he comply with the use of anesthetics? Or endure the discomfort?
In my state no dentist will work on a new patient without a complete exam, teeth cleaning and full set of xrays. What will your dad's insurance cover, if anything? Dental work is very expensive. Please do not attempt to pay for it yourself. You may need to come to accept a bare minimum of dental work for him, if any...not because he doesn't deserve it, but because it just won't be possible.
Luckily we have good dental insurance for him that will cover preventive care and fillings.
He can open his mouth and move his head back. He also is pretty cooperative.
This first visit is for the cleaning, X-rays and exam. I will try to stay in the room with him to make him feel better and know he is safe.
I just don’t want him to end up with an infection/abscess
My 99-yr old aunt in FL (with mod/adv dementia) has teeth that are now in bad repair. He chose to file them completely down (all her bottom fronts). I wasn't there to authorize this solution as I'm not sure what the options were. She would not have been a cooperative patient. It looks terrible but she can still eat most things and has no pain.
I Stated that I wanted functional attention ONLY, and although the end result was rather unsightly she was able to eat a typical diet for some time, until she was placed on puréed foods for other reasons.
Some Als have aides that can be hired per hour for appointments. He would need to travel via wheelchair taxi & aides drive separately, meet him there & stay to do transfers & assist. Possible... maybe... but unless they know him well, could be just too risky/too hard.