Failure to Provide Timely Dental Services to Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to assist residents in obtaining both routine and emergency dental care, as required by policy, for two residents. One resident, with a history of diabetes, schizophrenia, intellectual disabilities, and dysphagia, underwent oral surgery to remove several teeth and became edentulous. Despite being care planned for denture fitting and experiencing documented difficulty chewing and weight loss, the resident did not receive dentures in a timely manner. The delay was attributed to the lack of a consult for new dentures following surgery, and the timeframe from surgery to denture provision was considered excessive by facility staff. Another resident, diagnosed with depression and hypertension, reported having two loose top front teeth and repeatedly requested dental care. Although the care plan and physician orders indicated the need for a dental consult, and nursing notes documented ongoing requests to add the resident to the dental list, there was no evidence that the resident had been seen by a dentist. The resident continued to be added to the dental list over several months without receiving the necessary dental evaluation or treatment.