Underused CDT codes refer to specific codes within the Current Dental Terminology (CDT) system that are not frequently utilized by dentists in their day-to-day practice. These codes represent procedures or services that may be less commonly performed or not widely recognized within the dental community. Professional dental coding companies are up to date with the latest CDT coding and also can help dental professionals utilize underused codes that may be relevant to their practice.
CDT codes are vital for dental practices to communicate treatment procedures and services to insurance providers. These standardized codes enable dental professionals to accurately document and bill for their services. The CDT coding system is continuously updated by the American Dental Association (ADA) to accommodate new dental procedures, technologies, and treatments. However, due to various factors such as limited awareness, specialized applicability, or evolving nature of certain procedures, some codes may not see widespread usage.
While most practices are familiar with commonly used CDT codes, there are many underused codes that can significantly benefit a dental practice. These codes usually represent services that are valuable in specific cases or for addressing complex dental conditions.
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List of Underused CDT Codes
Here are 18 underused CDT codes that dentists should consider:
- D0390 – Limited orthodontic treatment of the adolescent dentition
- D5992 – Adjust maxillofacial prosthetic appliance, by report
- D1520 – Space maintainer – removable – unilateral
- D1310 – Nutritional counseling for control of dental disease
- D2975 – Coping
- D7963 – Frenuloplasty
- D2999 – Unspecified restorative procedure, by report
- D3410 – Apicoectomy – anterior
- D4346 – Scaling in the presence of generalized moderate or severe gingival inflammation – full mouth, after oral evaluation
- D9220 – Internal root repair of perforation defects
- D7912 – Complicated suture – greater than 5 cm
- D7313 – Maxillofacial ultrasound capture and interpretation
- D5283 – Limited orthodontic treatment of the adult dentition
- D6610 – Retainer onlay – cast high noble metal, two surfaces
- D7972 – Surgical reduction of fibrous tuberosity
- D7992 – Deep sedation/general anesthesia – each 15 minute increment
- D7995 – Synthetic graft – mandible or facial bones, by report
- D7465 – Destruction of lesion(s) by physical or chemical method, by report
Using these CDT codes appropriately will enable dentists to capture and report the full range of services they provide, leading to more accurate documentation, improved insurance reimbursement, and better communication with insurance companies. It’s important to note that the usage of CDT codes may vary based on individual patient cases, treatment plans, and insurance coverage. Dentists should consult coding experts, review specific code descriptions and guidelines, and communicate with insurance providers to ensure accurate coding and billing practices within their dental practices.
Practices need to ensure that their dental team is well-versed in the underused CDT codes by conducting training sessions to familiarize them with the codes, their benefits, and how to accurately document procedures. This will ensure consistency and minimize errors in coding.
Partnering with an experienced dental billing company is an important decision that can greatly impact your practice’s efficiency, accuracy, and financial success. Key factors to consider when selecting a dental coding service provider include expertise and experience, accuracy and compliance, industry knowledge and updates, communication and support, security and confidentiality, and pricing.
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Amber Darst is our Solutions Manager in the Healthcare Division, Practice and RCM. With a rich background in dental services, her expertise ranges from insurance coordination to office management.