The American Dental Association (ADA) maintains the CDT code for dental exam, a set of procedural codes used in dentistry. These codes comprise standard terminology used by dentists when explaining a certain dental exam procedure code to insurance companies and the medical fraternity at large.
Oral assessment is the contact examination of the teeth and tissues of the mouth by using physical measures, dental X-rays, and diagnostic instruments. Oral hygiene commences with this and is succeeded by diagnostic, decision-making, treatment, and review phases.
The end objective of the assessment is to diagnose cavities and assess the condition of the gum and other tissues in the mouth. The status of the integumentary system, including the fitting of dentures and bridges (when present), is assessed. The patient’s bite and hygiene status are also evaluated, as well as his mouth condition. The dentist then gets to advise the patient about the most effective treatment options available.
It is also good to code the dental examination visit appropriately to master dental billing. Currently, there are 6 different exam CDT codes for dental exams available:
D0120: Periodic oral evaluation, established patient: This examination is done on an established patient to determine changes in dental health since a previous assessment. It includes oral cancer evaluation and periodontal screening and may require interpretation of information.
D0140: Limited oral evaluation, problem-focused: This code should only be used to bill patients with focused problems, not periodic evaluations. So, patients with specific conditions like emergency, infection, or something similar are covered for this. Apart from X-rays, no other
the procedure is billed to the insurance.
D0145: Oral evaluation for a patient under three years of age and counseling with primary caregiver.
D0150: Comprehensive oral evaluation- new or established patient.
D0160: Used for a problem-focused, detailed, and extensive oral evaluation. Other termconsultation whiD9310 was no longer in use by some insurance companies. No other treatment procedures are billed with this.
D0170: This code is appropriate when evaluating a previously existing condition related to trauma, or a follow-up evaluation for continuing issues, but should not be used to report a post-operative visit.
A CDT code for dental exam is crucial in the dental industry. It helps dentists, insurance companies, and patients understand the same about treatments and payments.
Capline Dental Services is here to assist dental practices with better coding, billing, and office management. We specialize in taking operational burdens so that you can focus on the other aspects of your dental practice. Here’s how we can assist:
Implementing best practices for coding can significantly impact your practice’s success and compliance. Here are key strategies to enhance coding accuracy:
At Capline Dental Services, we focus on making dental practices run more smoothly by handling their administrative work. By using the right CDT code for dental exams, your practice can improve billing, follow rules, and make patients happier. We’ll help you stay focused on giving great dental care while we handle everything else.
Want to improve your dental practice? Call us now and connect with our experts to simplify your processes and let you spend more time caring for your patients.
