First, find a dentist who has experience working with seniors. The referral service of the Special Care Dental Association is a place to start.
If your loved ones need help when making important decisions (around healthcare or otherwise), talk to a lawyer to get a “medical authorization letter,” which will allow you to make a decision about another person’s health care (including their dental care) Decision.
Next, learn how to brush your teeth properly as a caregiver. We recommend looking at the National Institutes of Health guidelines, "Daily Dental Care: A Caregiver's Guide."
Finally, if your loved ones live in an assisted living facility, make sure you have all your Oral Care Plans. This plan should include specific information on how to brush your teeth, how to care for dentures (if applicable), and what plan to schedule/perform regular dental checkups.
