Table 3.52.
Key considerations for dental management in end of life care (see text)
| Management modifications* | Comments/possible complications | |
|---|---|---|
| Risk assessment | 3/4 | Related to the systemic condition; aspiration pneumonia |
| Appropriate dental care | 3–5 | Individualised oral health care plan |
| Pain and anxiety control | ||
| – Local anaesthesia | 2 | |
| – Conscious sedation | 3–5 | |
| – General anaesthesia | 3–5 | |
| Patient access and positioning | ||
| – Access to dental office | 2/4 | Possibly domiciliary care |
| – Timing of treatment | 1 | |
| – Patient positioning | 1 | |
| Treatment modification | ||
| – Oral surgery | 3/4 | Only simple procedures at home |
| – Implantology | 5 | |
| – Conservative/Endodontics | 5 | |
| – Fixed prosthetics | 5 | |
| – Removable prosthetics | 1/5 | Individualised evaluation |
| – Non-surgical periodontology | 3–5 | Individualised evaluation |
| – Surgical periodontology | 5 | |
| Hazardous and contraindicated drugs | 2 | Antibiotic selection; some patients receive anticoagulants or corticosteroids |
0 = No special considerations. 1 = Caution advised. 2 = Specialised medical advice recommended in some cases. 3 = Specialised medical advice mandatory. 4 = Only to be performed in hospital environment. 5 = Should be avoided.