Hi everyone , I got a report from the dental hygienist that goes to my father’s nursing facility that he needs to be seen by an outside dentist for two fractured teeth and a crown. My father is in a wheelchair only now and also has contractures in his legs making it so that when he lays down the legs are always bent towards his chest this makes it difficult for him to lay down in a dentist chair Im guessing I would have to hold onto his legs if they dropped to the side which I’m sure they would also I would need someone to help me move him from the wheelchair to the dentist chair. Should I take him anyway despite all of this?
Yes
Two suggestions,
There are dentists that make crowns in their office so only one 2 hour trip after the exam that would be needed to see a dentist for their opionion. You can ask about his problems there to see if he can be accomodated.
The other suggestion is to get the teeth extracted which will take less time to do
But your father would need to cooperate and keep his mouth open, and stay perfectly still. I'm honestly not sure it is worth the effort. Many years ago I attempted to get my then-still-mobile MIL and her husband with Parkinsons to a dental school hygiene appointment and it was a nightmare. You may be able to take pictures or a video of your Dad and his mouth and then discuss it over the phone with a dentist to see if they're even willing or able. If your Dad is on Medicaid, or doesn't have dental insurance they probably won't take him, either.
Don't make an appointment without researching this thoroughly.
My husband took the day off once to help me schlep mom, in a wheelchair with dementia, to the oral surgeons office to extract 2 molars. When I tell you she was crying and carrying on the whole ride down there, sweating, with over the top anxiety, I and dh were the ones who needed a Xanax by the time she sat down in the dentist chair! Then she Showtimed it right up and schmoozed the dentist! I felt like screaming. It took him 10 min total to numb her up and extract the teeth.
So I vowed there would be no "next time" with driving mom to a dentist or oral surgeon, and took the traveling dentist route. I didn't even have to be there to witness the scene, I just told the nurse to give mom an Ativan an hour before the dentist arrived. The dentist did the work in moms recliner! Numbed her up, pulled the tooth, and stitched her gum up too. Mom was out in the activity room doing crafts an hour later! And I had no anxiety, just a large bill to pay from her money. Yes, it's expensive but worth every penny! I highly recommend you ask the nursing facilty which travel dentist they use, and go from there. Just to save poor dad (and yourself) the potential nightmare of what I went thru. The dentist even came back and did a follow up with mom, who'd had no complications.
I also suggest you minimize the work done on dad's mouth. Ie: pull the tooth instead of a crown. Anything to keep procedures short and minimal. If dad is non compliant, he may have to be sedated, which would require you take him somewhere (I think), so check out the details thoroughly.
The other thing to consider is, is dad in pain and/or able to tell you he's in pain? If he cannot vocalize his pain, I think you must have the work done, otherwise he could be suffering. If he tells you he's fine, consider doing nothing, that's an option too.
Good luck!