RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Globally, the number of people living with dementia (PLwD) is projected to increase substantially. Dentists will encounter an increasing number of PLwD retaining natural teeth who need dental care. Dental treatment planning can be complex for PLwD as both oral diseases and dental treatment can be detrimental to patients' oral and social function and comfort. In addition, patients may lack the capacity to make decisions about their treatment, posing further challenges for dentists. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore dentists' approach to treatment decision-making with or for PLwD. METHODS: Semistructured one-to-one interviews were completed with 22 dentists between April 2020 and March 2021. Data generation and analysis followed the principles of constructivist grounded theory with data being collected and analyzed simultaneously using a maximum variation sample. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and then analyzed, leading to a theoretical understanding of how dentists approach treatment decisions for PLwD. RESULTS: Four data categories describe dentists' approaches to treatment decision-making for PLwD. Dentists sought to provide individualized care for PLwD. However, they described planning care based on risk-benefit analyses that primarily considered biomedical factors and generic assumptions. There was an underemphasis on the psychological or social implications of dental care or its delivery. Furthermore, while some dentists attempted to involve patients in treatment decisions, they reported fewer attempts to identify the views and preferences of PLwD identified as lacking decisional capacity. In this scenario, dentists reported leading the decision-making process with little regard for patients' known or identified preferences and minimal involvement of PLwD's family. CONCLUSIONS: Dentists acknowledge the complexity in treatment decision-making for PLwD yet focused heavily on biomedical considerations, with an underemphasis on individuals' preferences and autonomy. Considering psychosocial aspects of care alongside biomedical factors is essential to support holistic person-centered care for this growing patient cohort. KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER STATEMENT: This study highlighted that dentists may only be considering biomedical aspects of care when considering what treatment is appropriate for people living with dementia. When making or supporting treatment decisions, dentists should explore patients' preferences and actively consider relevant psychosocial factors. These can be actively identified through considered discussions with patients as well as their family members. Gathering this information should support more person-centered and value-concordant decision-making for people living with dementia.
RESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the impact of periodontal status on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: 61 patients with T2DM and 74 non-diabetic patients matched for age, gender and periodontal status (health, gingivitis, chronic periodontitis) were recruited. The oral health impact profile (OHIP)-49 was self-completed by all participants at baseline and by the patients with periodontitis at 3 months and 6 months after non-surgical periodontal therapy. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the overall OHIP-49 summary scores between patients with T2DM (median; interquartile range; 37.0; 19.5-61.0) and without T2DM (30.4; 16.8-51.0) (p>0.05). Among non-diabetic patients, there were significantly higher OHIP-49 scores (indicating poorer OHRQoL) in patients with gingivitis (41.0; 19.7-75.7) and periodontitis (33.0; 19.9-52.5) compared to patients who were periodontally healthy (11.1; 7.1-34.5) (p<0.05), though such an effect was not observed in the patients with diabetes. In the non-diabetic patients with periodontitis, statistically significant reductions in OHIP-49 scores were noted in the psychological discomfort and psychological disability domains following periodontal treatment, indicating an improvement in OHRQoL. In contrast, there were no statistically significant changes in OHIP-49 scores following periodontal treatment in the patients with diabetes. CONCLUSION: T2DM does not impact on overall OHRQoL as measured by OHIP-49. Chronic periodontitis and gingivitis were associated with poorer OHRQoL in non-diabetic patients, with evidence of improvements following periodontal treatment, but no such effects were observed in patients with diabetes. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Gingivitis and periodontitis are associated with reduced OHRQoL compared to periodontal health in non-diabetic patients, with improvements following treatment of periodontitis. No impact of type 2 diabetes on OHRQoL was noted; this may be related to the burden of chronic disease (diabetes) minimising the impact of oral health issues on OHRQoL.
