Failure to Provide or Obtain Required Dental Services
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that dental services were provided or obtained for two residents, as required by policy and regulation. One resident, who was cognitively intact and required partial assistance with activities of daily living, had been assessed as having obvious or likely cavities and broken natural teeth. This resident had been referred for oral surgery due to the need for multiple extractions and removal of residual root tips, but had not seen a dentist since the initial referral and had no dental services currently scheduled. Observation confirmed the presence of broken, discolored teeth, and interviews with staff verified the lack of follow-up dental care. Another resident was observed to be missing multiple teeth and to have several broken teeth, with documentation indicating no dental visit since the previous year. Although the care plan acknowledged poor dentition and included interventions to monitor and report oral health issues, records showed that the resident had not been seen by a dentist or oral surgeon as recommended. Staff interviews and record reviews confirmed that necessary dental referrals had not resulted in completed or scheduled dental services for this resident.