Failure to Provide Routine Dental Services
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that three out of four sampled residents received necessary dental services, including routine dental care and annual oral inspections. One resident reported needing her dentures checked due to looseness, but medical records confirmed she had not been seen by a dentist since admission. Another resident's Power of Attorney stated that a dental filling had fallen out approximately six months prior, and although the issue was reported to staff and a dental appointment was requested, there was no evidence the resident was seen by a dentist after the incident. Documentation also noted ongoing oral issues, such as red and irritated gums and a broken tooth cap, with instructions for a dental appointment, but no follow-up occurred. A third resident reported experiencing a toothache and stated he had not seen a dentist since admission. The Director of Nursing was unaware of the resident's toothache and confirmed that no monthly dental assessments were present in the record, nor had the resident received dental care during his stay. Physician orders and treatment records for all three residents included dental consults as needed, but these were not acted upon, resulting in a lack of dental services for the affected residents.