Equipping Australia’s dental profession for rise in dementia prevalence
The Australian Dental Association and Alzheimer’s Australia have partnered to release an education resource for dentists to help address the oral health needs of people living with dementia.
The Australian Dental Association and Alzheimer’s Australia have partnered to release an education resource for dentists to help address the oral health needs of people living with dementia.
The education modules have been jointly developed by dentists, medical practitioners and people living with dementia and their carers to educate dentists and their team on best practice care for people living with dementia.
The continuing professional development series addresses issues such as the ageing population and its impact on dentistry; simple ways dentists can adapt their practices to cater to the needs of people with dementia and their carers, and an in-depth study in the complex issue of consent with a focus on the person, not the condition of dementia.
Consumers had identified education and engagement with the dental profession as a key priority area and were represented on the project’s steering committee.
The education materials developed are also available to allied dental practitioners such as dental hygienists, therapists and prosthetists.
The project, Partnership in Practicing Care, was funded by the Alzheimer’s Australia National Quality Dementia Care Initiative with support from J.O. & J.R. Wicking Trust.
For more information on the six online education modules, click here. Dentists can also download the resources through the ADA’s CPD portal.
