Failure to Assess and Assist Residents in Obtaining Dental Services
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to assess and assist two residents in obtaining routine dental services. Both residents had been living at the facility for an extended period and reported not having seen a dentist, despite visible dental issues such as missing and broken teeth, visible decay, and loose or missing dentures. Documentation showed that oral health assessments indicated the need for dental evaluations for both individuals, but no abnormalities were recorded on the assessment forms. The forms did note that a dental check-up was required as soon as possible. Interviews with staff revealed that the process for identifying and referring residents for dental care was unclear and inconsistently followed. The Social Services Director was unaware of the residents' dental needs and was not familiar with the assessment forms used to identify such needs. Additionally, the residents were not included on the facility's list of those enrolled in the dental program, and there was confusion among staff regarding responsibility for completing assessments and communicating dental care needs.