Failure to Follow Up on Dental Services for Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to follow up on dental services for a resident who had requested assistance with dental appointments. The resident, admitted with diagnoses including bipolar disorder and chronic pain, was cognitively intact and had documented dental issues such as cavities or broken teeth. Despite repeated requests for dental work during care conferences and a care plan indicating the need for staff assistance with oral care, no dental appointments were scheduled or followed up on as required by facility policy. Staff interviews confirmed that the resident's requests for dental services were known, but the process for scheduling and following up on appointments was not completed. Documentation showed that the resident had a dental appointment, but staff did not obtain provider notes upon the resident's return, nor did they follow up with the dental provider. The Social Service Director acknowledged that updates regarding the resident's dental needs were not received as expected, and the staff responsible for scheduling appointments did not ensure proper follow-up. The DNS confirmed that staff were expected to follow up on all resident appointments, but this did not occur for the resident in question.