When did licensed, professional dental hygienists become tooth janitors? Today’s advertisements promote: “Get a cleaning, exam and digital x-rays for $59,” or, “A teeth cleaning by a dental hygienist or other dental professional is a 30-60 minute procedure.” And on and on goes the advertising. No wonder patients do not appreciate the many health-promoting and often lifesaving services hygienists provide when almost all dental professionals refer to what they do as “cleanings.” What is a “cleaning”? What is the diagnosis for determining that the patient requires a “cleaning”? If we can find out “why” by learning how to incorporate a detailed diagnosis along with accurate dental procedure coding, hygienists can pave a path for patients and dental professionals to understand hygienists’ vital role in healthcare and improve the health of our patients.
What is the American Dental Association's CDT procedure code for “cleaning”? As a presenter of the CDT procedure codes since 1992, there has NEVER been a procedure code for a “cleaning." So, what procedure do you select once a diagnosis has been determined?
There are currently seven CDT procedure codes from which hygienists select when preparing a treatment plan. None of them have the word “cleaning” in their descriptor. But clearly, a diagnosis is necessary. Now that the CDT Manual includes ICD-10 diagnostic codes, it will be up to the clinician to select the most appropriate diagnostic code/codes which describe the patient’s oral condition. Only then can the correct CDT procedure code be recommended.
Learning Objectives:
Redefine dental hygienists’ and dentists’ roles as dental healthcare providers.
Discuss and understand the specific elements of a Comprehensive Oral Evaluation, the Comprehensive Periodontal Evaluation and/or a Periodic Oral Evaluation.
Determine dental hygiene/periodontal treatment planning including a diagnostic statement (1999 classification/2018 classification) and the related ICD-10 diagnostic codes.
Describe and be able to select the appropriate CDT procedure code from the current seven which hygienists and dentists use when treatment planning a "cleaning."