A resident with intact cognition and a need for setup or clean-up assistance with eating requested teeth and was seen by the dentist, who recommended tooth extractions and new dentures/partials. The SSA later acknowledged there was no follow-up after the dental visit and that she overlooked the resident’s dental needs. The DSD and DON stated social services was responsible for dental scheduling and that the lack of timely follow-up delayed denture fitting.
Failure to follow up on dental treatment after extractions. A resident with RA, enterocolitis, swallowing/nutritional concerns, and moderate cognitive impairment was observed without dentures and stated she wanted them. The dentist recommended full extractions with immediate full dentures, but after extractions were completed, the record showed no documented follow-up with the dental provider regarding denture impressions or denture status. The RDH later noted the resident was missing too many teeth to chew and break down food properly, and the SSM stated she did not follow up after the dental visit.
A resident with type 2 DM, ESRD, and dependence for oral hygiene and most ADLs was not scheduled for routine dental care despite facility policy requiring assistance in obtaining such services. The resident reported never seeing a dentist since admission and complained of poor dental condition. An LVN noted decomposed teeth and bad breath, and an RD at the HD center observed rotten lower teeth and foul breath, with the resident again stating no dental visit had occurred. The SSD acknowledged that the on-site dentist could not see the resident because HD appointments conflicted with dental clinic days and admitted she had not arranged a visit on a non-dialysis day, resulting in the resident not receiving needed dental services.
Failure to provide dental services for a resident with tooth pain and an infected tooth. The resident had a dental consult showing a need for tooth extraction due to infection and a fistula, but the recommended follow-up was not completed. The resident later reported waiting to be seen by a dentist and still having pain. SSD and DON stated social services was expected to follow up with dental recommendations, and the facility policy says social services assists residents with appointments.
Failure to obtain a dental assessment for a resident with broken, loose, and missing teeth. The resident had breast cancer, atrial fibrillation, muscle weakness, and moderate cognitive impairment, and was observed with two lower teeth, one broken and one loose. She said she had not seen a dentist in a long time and wanted dentures because it would be easier to eat. The RNS said she forgot to place the order for a dental visit, and the DON stated residents with missing teeth need an oral assessment and interventions.
Nursing staff did not obtain timely dental services for a resident who was cognitively able to report symptoms and complained of toothache, burning gums, difficulty chewing, and ongoing pain, despite documented missing/broken teeth and irritated gums. An RN recorded significant oral findings and notified the physician, but the dental consult was not actually scheduled until seven days later. Key staff, including the RD and an RN caring for the resident, were unaware of the dental issues, while the DON confirmed ongoing oral discomfort managed only with pain medication. A later hospital CT showed numerous bilateral dental caries, and the consulting DDS stated he would have expected immediate notification and clearer communication from the facility when the resident first reported oral pain.
Failure to Provide Dental Follow-Up and Denture Care: A resident had denture impressions completed but no documented dental follow-up, another resident had missing, broken, and decayed teeth with no dental consult despite staff observing the condition, and a third resident reported loose-fitting dentures with no documented oral/dental follow-up. Assessments and records did not reflect the oral concerns, and staff interviews confirmed the issues were observed but not escalated for dental services.
A resident with diabetes, dementia, and anxiety, who required staff assistance with oral hygiene, had loose and missing upper teeth and reported needing false teeth. The resident’s family member also reported deteriorating teeth and a need for dental care, stating that no treatment had been provided despite a dental visit. During that visit, the resident refused treatment until the dentist spoke with the family member, but the dental note did not specify the proposed treatment, and there was no evidence the requested discussion occurred. The facility did not ensure timely follow-up or coordination with the dental provider, leaving the resident’s dental deterioration untreated despite a policy stating that routine and emergency dental services are available to meet residents’ oral health needs.
A resident with no natural teeth did not receive timely dental services or replacement dentures after readmission. Despite a treatment plan and care plan requiring dental referrals and monitoring, no referral was made, and the resident reported difficulty chewing and not being asked about dentures upon admission. The Social Services Director confirmed the lapse in following up on dental care, contrary to facility policy.
A resident with multiple chronic conditions missed a scheduled dental cleaning because the Social Worker did not notify them of the appointment after receiving an email reminder. The resident was out on pass during the visit, and the facility's policy indicated the Social Worker was responsible for coordinating and communicating such appointments.
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