Failure to Provide Timely Dental Care for Resident with Dental Pain
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to assist a resident in obtaining timely routine and emergency dental care after dental pain was documented. The resident, a 59-year-old male with hemiplegia and hemiparesis following a stroke, was noted to have dental pain and a broken tooth in early July, as documented by an LVN in the electronic medical record. The LVN left a message with the resident's responsible party and noted to inform Social Services, but there were no progress notes from the social worker regarding dental care for the resident during June or July. The resident continued to experience dental pain, avoided eating, and his roommate confirmed the pain and its impact on eating habits. The issue persisted until mid-August, when the resident's family filed a grievance with the facility, expressing concern about the lack of dental care and the need for an appointment. The family was informed that the contracted dentist only visited quarterly and could not provide unscheduled visits, and they were advised to seek outside dental care if needed. The resident eventually received dental care, including an extraction and plans for further treatment, but this occurred about a month after the initial complaint of pain. Interviews with the resident, his family, and his roommate confirmed the delay and the impact on the resident's well-being, including reduced food intake due to pain. Staff interviews revealed a lack of communication and follow-through regarding the resident's dental pain. The social worker stated that dental pain should be treated as an emergency, especially if it affects eating, but was not aware of the resident's issue until the family grievance. The DON confirmed that dental referrals go through the social worker, and the administrator acknowledged that action was only taken after the family raised the issue. Facility policy required provision of routine and 24-hour emergency dental services, but this was not followed in the resident's case.