Failure to Provide Routine Dental Services to Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to assist six out of eight reviewed residents in obtaining routine dental care as required. Observations and clinical record reviews revealed that several residents with natural teeth, broken teeth, or dentures had not been offered or provided with routine dental services every six months, as covered under the state Medicaid plan. For example, one resident with natural teeth had not seen a dentist since 2020, and another with broken teeth had no evidence of ever being seen by a dentist since admission. Interviews with staff confirmed the lack of documentation or evidence that these residents were offered or received routine dental care. Additional record reviews showed that residents with dentures or some natural teeth also lacked documentation of being offered or provided with routine dental services. Staff interviews further confirmed these findings, and the Director of Nursing acknowledged that there was no further evidence of routine dental care being provided to the affected residents. The deficiency was cited under state regulations for nursing and dental services.