Failure to Provide Timely Dental Services and Denture Fitting
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide routine and emergency dental services for a resident diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety, and depression. According to the facility's policy, selected dentists must be available for follow-up care, and social services are responsible for assisting residents with appointments. The resident, who had Medicaid managed care coverage, reported not having seen a dentist for the replacement of two missing upper right teeth. Documentation showed that the resident was in the process of receiving new dentures, with several dental visits scheduled and impressions taken for fabrication. However, the resident's care plan required assistance with inserting and removing dentures, and records indicated that both upper and lower dentures were ill-fitting and had plaque buildup. Despite being scheduled for a step 4 denture fitting, the resident was not seen by the dentist as planned. On one occasion, the dental provider made four attempts to see the resident during a scheduled visit but was unable to locate her. The dentist visits the facility approximately every six weeks, and the resident should have been seen prior to the next scheduled visit for her denture fitting. This lapse resulted in the resident not receiving timely dental care as required by facility policy and regulatory standards.