Failure to Provide Timely Dental Care Following Clinical Recommendation
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident received timely dental treatment as recommended by a dental hygienist. The resident, who was admitted with diagnoses including diastolic heart failure, sleep apnea, and peripheral vascular disease, was evaluated by a traveling hygienist who documented heavy calculus and inflammation, and recommended additional cleaning visits, a fluoride varnish, and regular preventative maintenance. The hygienist specifically advised a follow-up visit in three months. Despite these recommendations, there was no evidence that the resident received the necessary follow-up dental care. During an observation, the resident was noted to have several decayed and missing teeth and reported experiencing mouth and tooth pain. The Social Services Director confirmed that although dental services were available monthly and a tracking binder was maintained, there was no documentation of the recommended dental treatment being provided to the resident.