Failure to Coordinate Dental Follow-Up After Resident Requested Dentist-Family Discussion
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide routine dental services to meet a resident's oral health needs by not ensuring timely follow-up or coordination after a dental visit. The resident was admitted with diagnoses including type 2 diabetes mellitus, dementia, and anxiety disorder, and the MDS assessment showed no cognitive impairment and a need for staff assistance with oral and personal hygiene. Observation revealed the resident was missing most upper teeth, and both the resident and a family member reported loose and missing teeth and the need for dental care, including false teeth. The family member stated that if the resident had been seen by a dentist, no treatment had been provided to address the deteriorating teeth. The dental progress note from a dentist visit documented that the resident refused treatment and requested that the dentist speak with the resident’s family member before proceeding. The note did not specify what treatment was refused. The social services assistant acknowledged that the dentist should have spoken with the family member as requested and reported calling the dentist’s office to inform them that the family member wanted to speak with the dentist. The regional manager for the dental provider confirmed the dentist saw the resident and that the resident wanted the dentist to talk with the family member before treatment, but the documentation did not indicate that this occurred. As a result, the resident’s dental deterioration remained untreated, contrary to the facility’s policy stating that routine and emergency dental services are available to meet residents’ oral health needs in accordance with their assessment and care plan.
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