Failure to Provide Timely Dental Services and Follow-Up
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that three out of four residents reviewed for dental services received the necessary care and services to maintain their dental health. According to the facility's policy, routine and emergency dental services should be provided through a contract dentist, referrals, or community providers, with the social services department responsible for assisting residents with appointments. However, documentation and interviews revealed significant delays and lack of follow-up on dental referrals for multiple residents. One resident had a dental consult recommending x-rays, evaluation, extractions, and dentures, but there was no documentation of follow-up for over two months after the consult was acknowledged by staff. Another resident, assessed with broken and missing teeth, had a dental consult with recommendations for further evaluation, but no follow-up on the referral was documented for almost five months. A third resident, also assessed with decayed and broken teeth, had repeated provider orders for dental referrals, but no evidence of follow-up was found for nearly six months, even after the resident presented with a broken tooth. Interviews with staff indicated that turnover and changes in assignment contributed to missed referrals and lack of timely follow-up. Staff responsible for coordinating dental care and appointments were unable to provide documentation or explanations for the delays, and residents reported ongoing dental issues and pain due to the lack of timely dental services.