Failure to Notify Resident of Scheduled Dental Appointment
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to notify a resident of a scheduled routine dental cleaning appointment, resulting in the resident missing the appointment and not receiving the planned oral hygiene care. The resident, who had diagnoses including paraplegia, type 2 diabetes, morbid obesity, and COPD, was assessed to have intact cognition and required partial assistance with oral hygiene. The dental appointment was scheduled and communicated to the facility's Social Worker (SW) via email, but the SW did not check the email until late in the day and did not inform the resident of the upcoming appointment. As a result, the resident was out on pass during the scheduled dental visit and missed the appointment. Interviews confirmed that the SW was responsible for notifying residents of dental appointments and that the facility's policy required the SW to coordinate dental services. The administrator acknowledged that the SW is expected to be aware of and communicate upcoming appointments to residents, and that missing such appointments can affect the quality of care.