Failure to Provide Routine Dental Services After Consent and Care Plan Initiation
Penalty
Summary
A resident with Alzheimer's Disease was admitted to the facility in April 2023 and was noted to have broken natural teeth and cavities upon admission. The resident's representative signed a request for dental services in May 2023, and a physician's order authorized dental, vision, auditory, podiatry, and wound consults. The resident's care plan included coordination for dental care due to the observed dental issues. The Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment indicated the resident was severely cognitively impaired, fully dependent on staff for oral hygiene, and had obvious dental problems. Despite the signed consent and care plan directives, the facility failed to schedule and provide routine dental services for the resident. According to interviews, the medical records staff member responsible for dental referrals did not arrange for dental care after an initial insurance issue was resolved approximately six months post-admission. The administrator confirmed that the resident should have received dental services but was not aware that the services had not been provided, and no alternative arrangements were made.