F0790

D

Failure to Provide Required Dental Services and Oral Assessments

Prospect Heights, Illinois Survey Completed on 12-12-2025

Penalty

No penalty information released

Summary

The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide routine and 24-hour emergency dental care for a dependent resident. During an observation, the resident’s teeth were noted to be very dark, broken in places, with a buildup of yellowish film and a foul odor. When the DON was asked about the resident’s last dental referral or exam, the DON stated that she was unable to find any dental referral for the resident and believed that, because the resident was private pay, the resident had not had a dental exam despite having been in the facility for several years. No documentation of prior dental referrals or exams was identified.

The resident’s admission record reflects multiple diagnoses, including hemiplegia and hemiparesis following nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage affecting the left dominant side, dysphagia (oropharyngeal phase), GERD, and gastrostomy status, with an NPO diet order due to failed speech swallowing. The care plan identifies an ADL self-care performance deficit with impaired mobility, impaired cognition, and left-sided hemiplegia, and includes an intervention for oral hygiene requiring assistance with oral care every shift and as often as needed. The facility’s oral assessment and management policy requires a complete oral assessment upon admission, with significant changes, quarterly and annually, and that residents be offered dental services upon admission and reviewed quarterly during care conferences. The policy also states that dental/oral concerns are to be addressed and that the facility will assist with arranging dental services as ordered. Despite these requirements, the resident did not receive needed dental services or documented dental assessments as outlined in the facility’s policy.