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The 3 Ds: Dementia, Delirium and Depression in Oral Health

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Oral Health and Aging

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Abstract

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that over 20% of adults aged 60 and over suffer from a mental or neurological disorder and 6.6% of all disability (disability adjusted life years-DALYs) among people over 60 years is attributed to mental and neurological disorders. Oral healthcare professionals will be called to care for older adults with dementia, delirium, and depression in outpatient and inpatient settings. Poor oral health can be devastating for the older adult, compound psychosocial problems, frustrate caregivers and healthcare staff, and disrupt family dynamics. The contributing factors to poor oral health such as rapid dental decay, acute and chronic periodontal infections, compromised systemic health, xerostomia, and reduced fine motor function, in the context of declining cognition and motivation, may lead to an increase in both morbidity and mortality and negatively impact quality of life. In this chapter, we present a brief overview of cognitive and mood disorders in older adults including dementia, depression, and delirium; explore the relationship of oral health and these conditions; and offer advice on clinical interventions. We also discuss the epidemiology of these conditions among older adults with special reference to oral healthcare settings. We discuss how the assessment and management of oral conditions may be adapted to patients with cognitive and mood disorders and give oral health clinicians practical advice on how they should screen for and manage these disorders in their dental practice. Finally, we formulate an agenda for future research to obtain a better understanding of how dementia, delirium, and depression impact oral health and the interventions that may be needed to address these conditions in the older population.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Education, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami VA Healthcare System, Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), Miami, FL, USA

    Natasha Resendes

  2. Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA

    Iriana Hammel

  3. Department of Dental Services - VA Healthcare System, Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Christie-Michele Hogue

  4. Miami VA Healthcare System, Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, Miami, FL, USA

    Iriana Hammel

Authors
  1. Natasha Resendes
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  2. Iriana Hammel
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  3. Christie-Michele Hogue
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Correspondence to Iriana Hammel .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dental Services - VA Healthcare System, Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Christie-Michele Hogue

  2. Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), Miami VA Healthcare System, Miami, FL, USA

    Jorge G. Ruiz

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Resendes, N., Hammel, I., Hogue, CM. (2022). The 3 Ds: Dementia, Delirium and Depression in Oral Health. In: Hogue, CM., Ruiz, J.G. (eds) Oral Health and Aging. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-85993-0_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-85993-0_9

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

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  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-85993-0

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