A Loved One’s Dementia and Dental Care: A Family’s Options

When dementia makes dental visits impossible, families still have options. A caregiver’s guide from The Dental Anesthesia Center in St. Louis.

Perhaps it started with missed hygiene at home, or a canceled appointment after your parent refused to get out of the car. Perhaps a visit ended early when the sounds and strangers of a dental office became too frightening. If dementia has made dental care impossible for someone you love, you are facing a problem thousands of families quietly struggle with, and there are more options than you may realize.

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The Dental Anesthesia Center: Sedation and Sleep Dentistry4.9

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Lauren E.

Dr Thoms and his team are phenomenal. No question, the absolute best possible option for my child when he needed work done while sleeping (age based). While this option is not inexpensive, this set up of have anesthesiology in-house allowed us to get his mouth healthy when a traditional pediatric dentist could/would not. I am a parent that asks a lot of questions on behalf of my toddler’s care and at no point did I feel judged for this, nor was I rushed during my evaluation process during the consultation. Although the procedure is not one I would like to repeat for my child, my husband and I were both so pleased with how well Dr. Thoms communicated and how he clearly cared for our son’s wellbeing (both physical and emotional during a less than comfortable visit). Cannot recommend the back of house team more highly. My one detraction is the FOH staff (not everyone) were not nearly as pleasant. I would like to communicate that while their day-to-day is very routine for them, being in that office as a parent is very scary for some people in their office and a little bit of kindness goes along way. I do recall, having a very pleasant conversation with Rebecca, but otherwise everyone else was on the apathetic side, in my personal opinion. That said you’ll notice that I still am leaving a five star review because the dental staff really just knocked out of the park, but as a parent I want to encourage you to look past any rudeness you may experience over email or on the phone because Dr. Thom’s is really that excellent.

steven D.

Very nice very convenient for me great people working

Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad you had a positive experience with our team. We truly appreciate your 5-star review!

Curtis V.

The staff is always compassionate and explain all the steps of the procedure. This office has been a God send for me because otherwise I would have let my teeth fall into further disrepair. I highly recommend this office!!!!!

Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and recommendation! We’re so glad our team could help make your experience feel comfortable and supportive. We truly appreciate your 5-star review!

Cindy R.

Searching for a new dental clinic is challenging for someone who has dental anxiety, fear, and traumatic experiences in a dental chair. The staff and doctors at the Dental Anesthesia Center were immediately very welcoming. Dr. Thoms put together a very detailed plan to repair and replace the previous work that I had in the past that was now causing problems. Putting my faith in him was the best thing that I could have done for my situation. I am more than completely satisfied with all of the extensive dental work that I’ve had with Dr.Thoms. I had my fourth sleep dentistry experience yesterday and I’m very happy with my results. I highly recommend this practice and truly want to give them more than five stars! Thank you for giving me back my health and confidence. I adding to this post because of my visit today with the best dental hygienist Delaina and my exam with Dr. Biehl. I have truly never been to such a caring and supportive dental group. Everyone is always conscientious of my needs and knows that I have issues with anxiety. I am always calm when I am sitting in the chair because of their kindness. I am so pleased with the Dental anesthesia center. There needs to be more than five stars. Thank you, everyone.

Response from the owner:We know it isn’t always easy to find a dental office where you feel at ease, so your words mean the world to us. We’re so glad you feel comfortable with our team and truly appreciate your trust and recommendation!

Patricia R.

I am unusually tense about my appointments. However, from the moment I checked in I relaxed. The staff was welcoming and assuring, and helped me to relax completely. Dr. Hofmann is superb. He is by far the best dentist and dental surgeon I have ever ever experienced.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad our team helped create a welcoming and comforting experience. We appreciate you sharing your feedback!

Why Dementia and Dental Care Collide

Dementia undermines dental health in several ways at once. Daily brushing fades as the routine is forgotten or resisted. Mouth pain often goes unreported because the person can no longer describe it; instead, it may show up as refusing food, pulling at the face, increased agitation at mealtimes, or changes in sleep. And the dental office itself, with its unfamiliar faces, bright lights, reclining chair, and instruments, can trigger fear or resistance in someone who cannot understand what is happening or why.

Meanwhile, the dental problems keep growing. Many people with dementia also take medications that cause dry mouth, which accelerates decay. By the time families reach us, there are often years of accumulated need: deep decay, gum disease, broken teeth, and infection.

Untreated dental disease is not a cosmetic issue for a person with dementia. Mouth pain they cannot express may drive behaviors that get attributed to the dementia itself, and infection burdens overall health. Eating, nutrition, and comfort all depend on a functional, pain-free mouth.

Why Traditional Approaches Often Fail

Families usually try everything before looking for alternatives: shorter appointments, familiar hygienists, mid-morning scheduling, a spouse holding hands through a cleaning. These are worth trying in early stages, and some dentists manage mild dementia well. But as the disease progresses, cooperation-based dentistry reaches its limit. A patient who cannot hold still, keep their mouth open, or tolerate strangers’ hands cannot safely receive treatment in a standard chair, no matter how patient the dentist is. Pushing past that limit risks injury and deepens distress.

This is not a failure, yours or theirs. It is simply the point where a different model of care makes sense.

How Treatment Under Anesthesia Works

Dental care under sedation or general anesthesia removes cooperation entirely from the equation. Your loved one rests comfortably while our doctors complete a full examination, X-rays, cleaning, and all needed treatment, often in a single visit. There is no struggle, no fear to manage, and no series of appointments to repeat the ordeal. Our doctors monitor the patient continuously, and the anesthesia plan is tailored to their age, medications, and overall health.

For families, the single-visit approach matters enormously. One prepared day, one recovery, and a mouth restored to comfort, rather than months of difficult appointments a person with dementia cannot understand or remember between visits.

What Families Should Prepare

A consultation comes before any treatment. It helps to bring a complete list of medications and medical conditions, contact information for their physician (we may coordinate on the anesthesia plan), documentation if you hold power of attorney or guardianship for medical decisions, and notes on behaviors that might signal mouth pain. This is also the time to ask hard questions, including what treatment makes sense at this stage of the disease. Sometimes the right plan is comprehensive; sometimes it prioritizes comfort and the removal of infection. We will give you an honest assessment either way.