The dental examination codes in medical coding can be very confusing sometimes. Today, we will check about the coding guidelines for the dental exams which consist of 8 unique codes. These codes will be used depending on the type of dental exam perfromed on the patients.
During a dental examination, your dentist will perform a visual examination, and possibly looking for:
- New cavities
- Weaknesses in already installed crowns, fillings and bridgework
- Gum or bone recession
- Teeth deterioration due to abnormal bite, bruxism or TMJ
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Use of Dental code D0120
D0120 Periodic oral evaluation – established patient
This code is specifically used for established patient. It is used for periodic oral evaulation, which is performed each time you visit your dentist to serve as a benchmark of your overall health, and to see if anything has changed with your oral health since your last regular visit.
Use of Dental code D0140
D0140 Limited oral evaluation – problem focused
This codes is used only for the only the re-evaluation the previously existing problems from last visit. Hence, here the physicain will directly check the last visit problem and do a follow up review of that problem. This code is limited to only to the already existing problems.
Use of Dental code D0145
D0145 Oral evaluation for a patient under three years of age and counseling with primary caregiver
This code is used only for kids or children below 3 years of age. It is basically used for only counseling from the primary dental physician or caregiver. Hence, only evaluation with counseling of patients below 3 years of age will be reported with this dental code D0145.
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Use of Dental code D0150
D0150 Comprehensive oral evaluation – new or established patient
Comprehensive oral evaluation includes a full or extensive dental examination. The comprehensive dental exam is designed to set a baseline of your health and to catch any early signs of serious illness that may be otherwise undetected, your dentist will be on the lookout for the following illnesses which can be detected during a comprehensive oral evaluation:
- Diabetes
- Leukemia
- Blood pressure
- Cardiovascular problems
- Oral cancer
- Immune abnormalities
- Sinus problems
A comprehensive oral evaluation is a valuable part of your preventative health maintenance plan, and your dentist is a great ally in keeping an eye out for undiagnosed illnesses.
Use of Dental code D0160
D0160 Detailed and extensive oral evaluation – problem focused, by report
This code will be used only for detailed dental examination but will be probem focused. So here the documentation should be clearly understood and supported to report a extensive oral evaluation for problem focused report. Do not get confused with limited dental examination codes. Limited exam will be limited to only existing problemds but a detial dental exam will more focused toward both new and existing dental issues.
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Use of Dental code D0170
D0170 Re-evaluation-limited, problem focused (established patient; not post-operative visit)
Again , this is a re-evualation dental examination with existing problems from last visit. Do not use this for post-operative visit. If a patient is has gone through a dental surgery and again coming any re-evualation of a dental problem, do not use this code, use dental code D0171 for post-operative visit.
Use of Dental code D0171
D0171 Re-evaluation – post-operative office visit
Use this code for post-operative office visit.
Use of Dental code D0180
D0180 Comprehensive periodontal evaluation – new or established patient
This code should be used only for comprehensive evaluation of periodontal region. A Comprehensive Periodontal Evaluation, or CPE, is a way to assess your periodontal health by examining:
- Your teeth
- Your plaque
- Your gums
- Your bite
- Your bone structure
- Your risk factors