Failure to Provide Timely Dental Services
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that dental appointments were scheduled for two residents who requested or required dental care. Resident Council Minutes indicated that two residents expressed a desire to see the dentist, but review of their clinical records and interviews confirmed that neither had been seen by the facility's contracted dental provider. One resident, with diagnoses including anxiety, depression, and chronic pain syndrome, had a physician order for a dental consult as needed but had not received dental services. The other resident, diagnosed with high blood pressure, dementia, and constipation, was observed with upper dentures and reported a sore on the gums from chewing, yet did not have a dental consult order or documentation of a dental visit. Staff interviews revealed that the process for obtaining dental services involved notifying the social worker and adding residents to a list when a dental consult was needed. However, this process was not followed for the two residents in question. The DON and Nursing Home Administrator confirmed that the facility failed to obtain dental services for these residents, as required by facility policy and state regulations.