Oral care in people with dementia living in the community.

Oral health is recognised as an essential component of a person's overall wellbeing, increasingly so in people with dementia. As dementia progresses, a person diagnosed with the condition may become more dependent on the support of the family carer to meet their personal care needs. Similarly, community nurses may be one of the first health professionals that a family carer may call on when difficulties in maintaining good oral care become a concern. An understanding of some of the main concerns and resources available can be helpful for community nurses in helping their patients and their carers. This article discusses some of the common issues using case examples to illustrate possible rationales and considerations for further action.