CDA Essentials 2019 • Volume 6 • Issue 7

I ssues and P eople Related Resources Dentists’ Views on Providing Care for Residents of Long-Term Care Facilities jcda.ca/j8 Changes in Oral Health and Treatment Needs for Elderly Residents of Long-Term Care Facilities Over 10 Years jcda.ca/j7 Sometimes just discussing the pros and cons of an oral health treatment can be very helpful, both practically and emotionally, for a family member who needs to make a decision for a loved one. ➜  Social workers can provide information, especially related to decision-making and finances, that may be necessary to providing care. Social workers often know useful information about residents’ legal, social, and financial circumstance that are pertinent to oral health care. Is a resident capable of making their own decisions about treatment or financial matters? If not, who makes those decisions? Family members, another representative, a social services organization or public guardian and trustee? Social workers will know. Often, social workers will also know about power of attorney, insurance, and whether a resident can afford services. As a social worker, I also often know about (and can help navigate) complicated family dynamics that influence decision-making regarding care. I also know residents’ personal histories. Recently, I was able to help a dentist work with a non-communicative resident who had dental anxiety related to his trauma from World War II.  Social workers can facilitate other interdisciplinary collaboration. Social workers are expert relationship and team builders, system navigators and communicators. Do you need to bring in another health professional for input? Do you want to bring together a resident, their family, and a specialist? Ask a social worker. I often bring together and facilitate teams that include health care professionals from a variety of fields including ethics, palliative care and mental health. a 40 | 2019 | Issue 7