University Park, Pa. -- People with dementia resist care when they feel threatened, according to Rita A. Jablonski, Penn State assistant professor of nursing. In general, these patients cannot care for themselves and need help.

"Poor oral health can lead to pneumonia and cardiovascular disease as well as periodontal disease," said Jablonski, even though these illnesses are not usually associated with the mouth. Nurses who care for patients with dementia now have a tailored approach to dental hygiene for their charges, thanks to a pilot study by Jablonski and other nurses.

Watch a video about Jablonski's study at /video/156652/2013/02/09/video-no-title.