The Faculty of General Dental Practice UK (FGDP[UK]) has published new guidance on the practice of dentistry for patients with dementia.

With around 850,000 people in the UK with the condition – 5% of the population – the Faculty says that dental professionals need to understand it, and adapt their patient management and clinical decisions accordingly. The result of a multidisciplinary collaboration, notably with the Alzheimer's Society, Dementia-friendly dentistry: Good practice guidelines covers:

  • The epidemiology and diagnosis of dementia, and its implications for dental professionals

  • Principles of care management, including patient identification, competence and referrals, communication, consent and capacity

  • Clinical care, including history taking, treatment planning, care delivery and prescribing

  • Site-specific considerations for dental practices, care homes and domiciliary care.

The new book also signposts readers to local support, educational programmes and resources for patients, and contains over 50 recommendations for practitioners, categorised using the Faculty's 'ABC' (Aspirational, Basic, Conditional) notation.

Paul Batchelor, Vice-Dean of FGDP(UK) and Editor of the new guidelines, said: 'Dementia affects many aspects of an individual's life, and these guidelines are designed to help the profession understand the condition and its implications for dental practice. By ensuring high standards of care, dentists can help minimise some of dementia's potential effects, particularly those also associated with poor oral health, such as worsening of diet and social isolation, and a concomitant decline in general wellbeing'.

To help mark its 25th anniversary, the Faculty will be sending a complimentary copy of the book to its 4,500 members, as well as all new members who join this year.

Non-members can buy it at www.fgdp.org.uk/shop.