Failure to Provide Timely Dental Services
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure prompt dental services were provided for one resident who was assessed with obvious or likely tooth decay, broken teeth, and mouth or facial pain and discomfort or difficulty with chewing. Upon admission, the resident was noted to have clear speech and the ability to communicate needs. The resident reported ongoing dental discomfort, including cracked teeth down to the gum, a tooth with a hole, and the need to pick food out of the tooth after eating. Observations confirmed the presence of broken upper and lower teeth. The resident's care plan directed staff to coordinate dental care and transportation as needed. A physician order was in place for a dental consult, and the facility's visiting dentist evaluated the resident, recommending x-rays, evaluation, and extraction of all upper teeth due to several broken and decayed teeth, including an abscess. A referral request form was completed for these services, but there was no documentation indicating where the referral was sent. The staff member responsible for scheduling appointments could not find a fax confirmation or a scheduled dental appointment for the resident. Review of records confirmed that, for nearly seven months after the referral request, there was no evidence that the dental appointment was scheduled or that follow-up occurred.