Policy Text
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES Page 1 of 2 10/09 (REV 7/07)
MJ/RCCC
OPERATIONS ORDER
Dental Services
This purpose of this Order is to standardize the procedures for prisoner dental care at
the Main Jail and the Rio Cosumnes Correcti onal Center (RCCC).
I. Policy
The Main Jail and RCCC shall provide emergency and medically re quired dental care to
prisoners under the direction and supervision of a state licens ed dentist. Whenever
possible, dental care shall be delivered on site rather than at an outside facility.
II. General Guidelines
A. Emergency dental care shall be available on a twenty-four (2 4) hour basis.
B. All dental records shall be considered confidential and trea ted in
accordance with Operations Order 10/11-Health Records. The rec ords
shall include details of all dent al examinations and consultati ons.
C. Dental services are available expressly for the relief of pa in and
dysfunction. Sentenced prisoners serving long sentences may be
provided permanent restorations and other dental prophylaxis ar e
required, time and budget permitting.
III. Dental Service Request
A. Prisoners requesting non-emer gency dental care shall complet e a "Dental
Request Form" and give it to a member of the Correctional Healt h
Services (CHS) staff.
B. All prisoners complaining of dental problems will be screene d . T h o s e
requiring immediate care will be treated symptomatically and as signed an
appointment according to a sche dule established by CHS staff.
1. Medical staff shall advise housing unit control staff when a prisoner
is needed for an appointment.
2. If necessary, the prisoner will be escorted to the dental of fice.
3. Housing unit staff shall make the necessary computer and log book
entries.
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES Page 2 of 2 10/09 (REV 7/07)
MJ/RCCC IV. Emergency Care
A. The following conditions requi re immediate evaluation by med ical staff:
1. Bleeding and acute pain. 2. Abscesses; gum infections. 3. Fractures of the jaw or teeth. 4. Traumatic loss of teeth. 5. Gaping wounds of the lips or cheeks.
B. After examination, the pris oner experiencing any of the abov e conditions
shall receive immediate treatm ent on an emergency basis. The p risoner
shall be given a specific appoint ment date or placed, according t o t h e
dentist's professional judgment, on a waiting list according to priority of
needed dental care.
C. Prisoners requiring treatment for the relief of pain and dys function beyond
the scope of the dental or medical staff may be referred to an outside
facility.
D. Prisoners may also be referred to his/her private dentist. The treatment
will be coordinated and paid for by the prisoner as described i n Operations
Order 10/03, Health Care Treatment Access.
Appendices: None
Related Orders: Operations Orders: 10/03-Health C are Treatment Access; 10/11-
Health Records
References: Title 15, Section 1215