A resident needed dental extractions and was initially told the safest course was oral surgery under GA in a hospital setting, but the referral was not acted on for months. In-house dental notes later continued to recommend FMX, extractions of retained roots, and dentures, yet x-rays were not completed and extraction attempts were unsuccessful; the DON acknowledged the hospital oral surgery process was not started until much later.
A resident reported needing dental cleaning and waiting months for the facility to make an appointment. The record showed a physician ordered a referral for dental care, but follow-up remained pending and the resident was still unaware of any appointment. The DON stated the resident had previously refused dental services, but did not explain why the later order was not addressed.
A facility failed to ensure timely dental services for two residents. One resident had repeated reports of tooth pain, provider notes documenting a pending dental consult, and only later had a dental appointment arranged by family. Another resident reported needing dentures, and MDS assessments showed obvious or likely cavity or broken natural teeth, but the Administrator could not find documentation of any follow-up dental care.
Facility staff failed to ensure two residents received required routine and follow-up dental care. One resident, observed to have few or no teeth, had no documented dental consult for over a year and had not been seen by a dentist since the prior year, despite requirements for at least annual oral assessments. Another resident with missing teeth and cavities had sporadic dental encounters, including attempted visits where the resident was unavailable or in isolation, and a recommended dental hygiene visit that was never rescheduled. A nursing note documented that a molar tooth came out while the resident was talking, and the resident was ordered to be seen by dental services, with the next documented dental visit occurring only after this event.
A resident reviewed for dental concerns had no documented dental consults since admission. The DON stated that no dental visit was obtained because there were no complaints from the resident or family, even though an outside dental evaluation was required on an annual basis.
Delayed Dental Consultation: A resident was observed pointing to his/her mouth and saying it hurt, and had two dental consult orders for teeth complications and difficulty chewing. The dental visit was not documented until months after the first order and nearly a month after the second. The Unit Manager described a monthly Health Drive process, and the DON stated she expected dental consults to be scheduled immediately for discomfort or difficulty chewing.
A resident with dysphagia and recent significant weight loss reported issues with ill-fitting dentures. Although the concern was communicated to nursing management and a dental hygienist documented the need for a dental evaluation, the resident was not seen by a dentist as scheduled and did not receive the required follow-up dental services.
A resident with worn down dentures experienced ongoing difficulty chewing and sore gums, repeatedly reporting these issues to staff. Although the RD documented the concerns and notified the kitchen, SLP, and activities personnel, no timely dental referral was made. The SLP recommended a pureed diet, but the SW was not informed of the dental issues until months later, and the DON acknowledged delayed interventions.
A resident with a history of dental pain and missing/broken teeth did not receive timely follow-up for recommended dental extractions after a dental consult. Despite ongoing complaints and a care plan noting oral health issues, staff did not arrange the necessary dental appointment, and the facility's dental provider had no referral on file. The deficiency persisted until identified by surveyors.
A resident with impaired dentition did not receive timely periodic and annual dental exams by a dentist, despite multiple notes from the dental hygienist and a care plan indicating the need for dental follow-up. The exams were not scheduled or completed as required until after surveyor intervention, and facility staff confirmed the delay in providing these routine dental services.
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