Improving quality of life in palliative care: palatal lift prosthesis in a patient with periodontal disease.

A man in his late 50s was referred by a speech and language therapist for consideration of a palatal lift prosthesis (PLP) to improve his speech intelligibility. He presented with hypokinetic dysarthria characterised by reduced loudness, breathy voice and hypernasality. The patient had a diagnosis of progressive muscular dystrophy and mobilised in a motorised wheelchair. He was dependent for dressing and bathing, but independent for grooming. He had no cognitive impairment and provided his own consent. He was partially dentate and presented with generalised periodontal loss. This case report details the provision of a PLP in an individual with a terminal diagnosis to improve speech quality despite a poor periodontal state and worsening physical disability.