Failure to Provide Timely Dental Consultation and Services
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a dental consultation was provided for a resident who was reviewed for dental care. During an observation and interview, the resident was noted to have missing upper and lower teeth and expressed a desire for dentures, stating he had not been seen by a dentist and had difficulty chewing solid food. Record review showed a physician's order for a dental consult with follow-up treatment as needed, and a previous dental assessment indicated multiple missing teeth and root tips with treatment recommended. The resident was found to be cognitively intact and capable of understanding his care needs. Interviews with facility staff, including the Social Service Director and Director of Nursing, confirmed that the resident should have been referred for dental services to address his needs. The facility dentist also stated that he would have seen the resident promptly if a referral had been made. Facility policy requires social services to coordinate and monitor dental evaluations, but this process was not followed for the resident, resulting in the lack of necessary dental care.