Dementia Friendly for Dental Care

ACT on Alzheimer’s and our partners strive to increase the capacity of dental providers to care for the growing number of older adults living with dementia and to support their care partners. You will find training packages and resources for the entire dental team (DDS, DH, DT, DA and administrative staff).

These training resources have been developed through a collaborative initiative including the Minnesota Dental Association, the University of Minnesota Northstar Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program, Delta Dental Foundation, the University of MN School of Dentistry and ACT on Alzheimer's.

Training Programs

Training for All Dental Staff

ACT on Alzheimer’s Dementia Friendly for Healthcare provides a free 60- or 90-minute training for staff working in dental care settings. The training is conducted by volunteers who are trained by ACT on Alzheimer's to lead the sessions. The training helps workers understand dementia and learn how to create an environment that is safe, respectful and welcoming for people living with dementia.

Objectives for the Training

• Define dementia and identify early warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease.
• Employ effective strategies for communicating and interacting with patients with dementia.
• Improve patient safety and well-being by creating a dementia-friendly physical space.
• List community resources and services that support patients living with dementia.

Creating a Dementia Friendly Dental Practice: An In-depth Training Program

The number of adults with dementia in our communities is growing rapidly, affecting approximately 7 million people in the US. More strikingly, these numbers are expected to triple by 2050. Touching us all, the adults with dementia represent our family members, friends, neighbors, co-workers, colleagues, patients, and their care partners. 

As a dental professional, you can play a key role in caring for and supporting people with dementia and their care partners. You and your team can learn how to provide ongoing oral health services, promote timely detection and diagnosis, educate about dementia, and connect people with community resources that promote quality of life. As a dental care setting with dementia champions and helpful practices, you and your team can advance your community’s effort to be supportive of everyone touched by the disease.

Become a Trainer

Would you like to become a trainer for Dementia Friendly for Healthcare? You don't need any particular experience or expertise other than a desire to help make your community more dementia friendly and comfort in leading a group session.  Complete three easy self-learning steps to become a trainer.