Parkinson's Disease and Oral Care

From Volume 27, Issue 2, March 2000 | Pages 58-65

Authors

Janice Fiske

MBE

Senior Lecturer/Honorary Consultant, Department of Special Care Dentistry, Kings, Guy's and St Thomas' Dental Institute of King's College London

Articles by Janice Fiske

Karen Hyland

Dip Diet, MHM SRD

Senior Dietician for the Elderly and Mentally Ill, Barnet Healthcare NHS Trust

Articles by Karen Hyland

Abstract

Parkinson's disease is a relatively common, progressive, neurological disorder. Its key features of resting tremor, bradykinesia, akinesia, restricted mobility and postural instability militate against independence for daily living, mobility, good nutrition and oral health. The successful management of the disease requires a multi-disciplinary approach in which the dietician, speech therapist, nurse and dental staff are pivotal members of the care team.

Article