Oral sundhed og orofacial funktion ved neurodegenerative sygdomme

Neurodegenerative disease is an umbrella term for a number of dis-orders affecting neurons in the central nervous system. Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease are the most common. The gradual and often slow degradation of the brain and its functions cause var-ious symptoms. In Alzheimer's disease, memory difficulties and per-sonality and behavioral changes are the most prominent traits and in Parkinson's disease difficulties in movement. It is important that the dentist is aware that they are long-term, progressive disorders, and that cognitive losses and the inhibition of orofacial function only become more severe over time. Consequently, there is a significant deterioration of oral health. The treatment requires special insight and needs to be adapted to the individual disease course, where gradually more assistance for the daily oral hygiene and more radi-cal treatment measures are required. Collaboration with the patient's doctor and relatives is essential for insight into the patients' situation and current disease status and medication to plan and provide the best possible dental treatment.