Are Your Goals Hurting Your Dental Business? http://ow.ly/yJ5vu
Dental
Doctors Are YOU the Cause of YOUR Stressful day?
Be honest with yourself here… Are you making your day more stressful then it needs to be? Having had the opportunity to work with a variety of offices I can tell you YES YOU PROBABLY ARE! I am not picking on or bashing you, doctors. We all have patterns we end up in “just because.” It is easy to go on with your days as they usually are. I want to point out a few reasons why your schedule may be so hectic. And point out why you feel like you see so many patients and still do not make your financial goals. It is interesting that when I am asked to consult for an office there is often significant resistance to change; even though that is what they have hired me for! Change needs to happen unless you want to keep getting the same result. Take a look at the following, do any of these sound like you? Better yet, bring this blog to your next team meeting and see what points they would vote you guilty of. It is not as if you are a bad Dentist if you do any of the following, you are a dentist that has a a lot on your shoulders and want to succeed. I want to try to persuade you to work smarter not harder.
- Sharing of equipment and materials: Are you “cutting costs” with shared instruments and materials? Be really careful here. Is it really worth taking off gloves, spraying hands with sanitizer, waiting for your assistant to bring the crown tapper, hand sanitizer, re-gloving and then proceeding to tap that crown off. Time is money! I’m not saying have a Cerec machine in every room but really take a look at what you’re skimping on. Buy another crown tapper, buy that special cement and place it in all treatment rooms etc..
- Not using your intra-oral camera: A picture literally is worth a thousand words. It will save you a lot of time explaining and also increase your treatment acceptance. If you have a tooth you are prepping and you are noticing you will need a buildup. Take second to snap a photo and simply place on the monitor. Your patient will naturally be curious and take a peek. Usually the patient will say something like “OMG that is gross”, or “what a mess!” Your response will be,”Mr./Mrs. NoToothLefttoBuildaCrownOn I was just documenting the poor tooth structure we have left after the old restoration and decay has been removed. I will need to place a build-up on this tooth at an additional fee, do I have your permission?” What are they going to say?
- Properly reviewing treatment: Are you having your team review fees, ADRA (advantages,disadvantages, risks, & alternatives) prior to the patient sitting in your treatment chair? Do not waste precious chair time counseling your patients on fees, treatment options and insurance benefits. This should be taken care of prior to the appointment being placed in the schedule. Having a signed consent of accepted treatment with fees spelled out and a payment plan in place will eliminate a lot of wasted chair time. Doctors, demand these steps are being completed for every patient. Not only is this covering yourself for potential law suits but is also it less stressful for your team and the patient when everyone knows the who, what, where, when, why’s and how’s about the treatment.
- Trying to do it all: This is a huge problem I see across the board. Are you not delegating tasks that your team members can do for you? Whether it is making the temporaries, changing light bulbs, or paying the bills. You can not do it all. Take the time to invest in your employees to train them to be able to do the tasks to give you more time to do production based tasks. It may take your time to personally train your team or it may take investing in a class or seminar to train the skill. The same is true for Docs that will cancel a few hours of production to fix the toilet themselves rather than hiring a plumber. Hopefully you know how much you need to produce each day to be profitable. If not I urge you to know that number. Break it down to an hourly rate. That number will speak loud and clear to you that you are not saving much money trying to do it all. You will not get that time back in your schedule. Once it is gone it is gone. Give tasks to your team and hire professionals to do your maintenance. (PS: no-one wants to see their dentist hands in the toilet and then in their mouths a few moments later) DELEGATE! Your team will appreciate your confidence in trusting them and the chance to learn something new.
- Putting off treatment: You have a patient in the chair and you are just done with doing any more composites! If you have the time in your schedule, just get it done. Filling up your schedule with little appointments will give you that feeling of the “RAT RACE.” Have positive thinking like “I am going to finish this” as if you were running a marathon. It is all in your mind set. If you think you may need diagnostics casts take them right away. If you have a prep appointment and are not sure if the tooth will need endo or not…take the impression anyway. Having these patients come back is wasting chair time. You may waste some impression material and trays but every minute of chair time counts. Like Nike says “Just DO It!”
- Not writing up treatment plans right away: You have had the new patient exam or the comprehensive exam for a current patient. It is now days later and you are now sitting down to write up that treatment plan. Hmmm, how will you remember everything? Maybe not! Will you need time to refresh yourself with this case? You bet! Schedule time at the end of every day as admin time to be sure you are completing this task daily. Your treatment plan is the road map of the treatment. This will eliminate you ending up on detours and wrong roads that will only have you “spinning your wheels” and creating issues with your schedule and diagnosis. Not remembering the patient wanted whitening or that his/her biggest issue was a food trap area and then never addressing this in your treatment will not only look like you don’t listen but you are also losing out on treatment (money in your pocket).
- Not enough tray set ups: Unless you can afford a sterilization assistant be sure to have enough tray set ups to complete a full morning of hygiene or restorative patients. This would be the same for hand pieces, ultrasonic tips, or any other equipment needed for treatment! Why stress out over whether that electric hand piece is going to be out of the sterilizer in time? Or why have your schedule run behind because your assistant had to get the sterilization room in order to have enough instruments for the team?
- Running behind: Have a standard of what you expect from your team. You should not have a patient wait more then ten minutes. Make sure you are getting to your hygiene exams promptly preferably before the last 15 minutes. End your morning huddles 5 minutes before the first scheduled appointment and start patients on time after lunch. If you are running behind often, take a look at your block scheduling. Track your time for procedures for a week and adjust block times or evaluate what it is that is taking longer. Evaluate if a new material or technique could be faster. If you have patient’s waiting make sure you engage with them so they know you have not forgotten them. Ask for their permission to keep them waiting or to reschedule. if patients are not at the office and you know you are running late give them a courtesy call. Apologize and keep track of who you were late for and why. By keeping your patients informed they are more likely to be understanding and appreciative of your concern.
- Emergencies: Do you expect to see all emergency calls the same day they call? Are you worried what they will think if you make them wait? Set up a triage protocol and train your staff on how you want certain types of emergencies to be handled. This will eliminate the need for constant personal and schedule interruptions throughout the day. Do not be afraid of not putting Mrs./Mr. MyToothIsSharp into your already full schedule. Sometimes it is ok to have them wait, especially if they are not a compliant patient. Set time in your schedule daily to address true emergencies and have direct instruction that it is understood to not fill this emergency appointment with anything other than an emergency.
- Team issues: I saved the best for last! Be sure to be a leader and if you are not a leader hire someone to do the job. Having the arguments “work themselves out”, ignoring a toxic employee because they are good at their job, not having regularly scheduled performance reviews, all lead to breakdown in a team. If you notice tension you better believe that your patients do too. Why have this stress? Do your homework up front to set up your office Policies, procedures, job descriptions, and expectations. I recommend CEDR Solutions for this daunting task. CEDR is a company that works with dental offices to draft office manuals. They also offer support for you to implement your manual if you are not capable of doing this yourself. It is like having a Human Resource department without the huge cost. The logo below has the link to their website. Let them know I sent you so they take extra special care of you.
Did any of these sound like you? I am sure maybe one, some, or even all may have. My point in bringing these items forward is to create awareness and give opportunities to end the rat race and stress. You deserve to have a great day every day! As a current team member I recognize and appreciate how changing even just one will have a great impact on your team. Having a full lunch, getting out on time, having clear direction and knowing what is expecting of me in my position goes a long way. Take a step back and evaluate. You will be glad you did. I am also available to do on site Consulting. It does sometimes take an unbiased view to evaluate, and address the issues. See a recent testimony from a Dr. that decided he needed help elevating his team from GOOD to GREAT! Call me for a 15 minute no fee consultation. 520-981-0737 I am passionate about helping you and your team succeed. I excel in clinical, treatment acceptance, social media and webpage design. Ready to roll up my sleeves!!!!
“I met Ms. Susan Ketterer from research on Linkedin and then hired her and Debbie Seidel-Bittke, owner’s of Dental Practice Solutions. I wanted an experienced Dental Consultant to look at my Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Practice and see if recommendations could be made.We spoke a few times on the phone/email and they came to New York & to the Bronx for almost a week to work and advise me and my staff. Many issues and topics were discussed with me and my team individually and as group. I found Ms. Ketterer very knowledgeable and easy to work with; as did my staff. Being in business for almost 35 years and not one for change easily, I saw things that would benefit my practice from idea’s of Susan’s as did the staff. Susan was patient with everyone, who only knew my way!! The communication between reception and treatment area’s were shown to need some changes; as was the phone and how its answered and messages taken. Susan worked with the team to show better ways in all aspects. Susan and Dental Practice Solutions worked with me & the staff on billing issues, the importance of Team Meetings and many other things that could be better approached. I will continue working with Ms. Ketterer and Ms. Debra Seidel-Bittke of Dental Practice Solutions throughout the year. I highly and without any reservation recommend them for any Dental Practice need. They give more than 100% of themselves and always do it with a smile!! ”
~Dr. Bartley R. Labiner
Be sure to visit my website to sign up for my newsletters @ www.susankettererconsulting.com
Make it a great week!
~Susan
Remote training, In Office training, Increase efficiency, Team Coaching,Web page Design, Social Media, 20+yrs Administrative, Clinical Experience, Dedication, Results that stick, High quality Patient Care, Success
Discloser: I am an affiliate to Cedr Solutions
TCPA RULE & SOLUTION REACH
I had the pleasure of interviewing Robyn Carpenter of Solutionreach, also known as, Smile Reminder. I also have first hand experience-using Solutionreach. Since implementing the Smile Reminder platform, our office has sent out email, text and voice; appointment reminders, and friendly recare notices to reactivate our overdue patients. We are no longer taking precious time sending postcards and making phone calls to confirm appointments. We are able to use that precious time saved to concentrate on customer service that results in higher acceptance rates of treatment and ultimately overall improved patient satisfaction.
Robyn has worked with improving dental practices in Arizona before joining Solutionreach last fall as the representative for Arizona. She is very proud of the product and customer support Solutionreach delivers. The customer success team, fondly known as Solutionaries, are highly trained and very patience. Training and support is unlimited. There is never an additional fee! The Solutionaries are dedicated to a specific field of practice, and specialize with each individual practice management software. Support is readily available M-F, 7am-5pm.
In addition to support, Robyn is proud of how her company is always improving and adding new technology and features at no extra cost to their users. That is the Price for Life Guarantee. Recently Solutionreach has helped their customers replace the clipboard with iPad check in and registration; patients can update medical histories, insurance, view available services and even leave a video review.
Solutionreach in my opinion is a very powerful tool that dental office needs to have. It is a Virtual Assistant confirming appointments, contacting patients without appointments, collecting update contact and health histories, acquiring patient satisfaction surveys, online reviews, testimonials, thank you, and birthday acknowledgments, open appointment filling assistance, mapping capabilities of where your patients are located (by different categories), secure emails, patient gain access to their account with patient portals, newsletters, and more. Robyn says “an office is up and running using all features within three weeks.” An office is assigned to a CSR, customer success representative and will guide an office thru training sessions broken into a few key areas at a time. You would need to pay a staff member $30,000- $40,000 a year to sit and manually do this all and Solutionreach offers this for only a few hundred dollars a month.
Safe time and money using Solutionreach!
With recent changes in TCPA Rule Solutionreach has mad the compliance a smooth transition for their clients with providing great information and adapting all text, email, and phone messages that are received by patients in in full compliance.
The new TCPA Rule that was effective October 17 2013. (Telephone Consumer Protection Act) The TCPA was passed into law in 1991. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is empowered to issue rules and regulations implementing the TCPA. The TCPA is where individuals can file lawsuits and collect money. Beginning now and with limited exceptions, prior express written consent will be required for all autodialed and/or pre-recorded marketing calls/texts sent to cell phones and pre-recorded calls made to landlines. Additionally, telemarketers can no longer rely on previous business relationships with customers to get around the prior written consent requirement.
The violation per offense is $500-$1,500.
Telemarketing calls include anything that offers or markets products/services to consumers. Informational calls for non-commercial purpose are allowed. Text messages (SMS) are now also considered “calls” under the new ruling. You can only send to those you have acquired written consent. The verbiage of the consent must be very clear like: I hereby consent to receive autodialed and/or pre-recorded telemarketing calls from or on behalf of [ADVERTISER] at the telephone number provided above I understand that consent is not a condition of purchase. (You cannot have phone number pre-populated and the consumers phone number should appear on the same page as the consent)
Some phone companies like AT&T and Verizon have hired companies to monitor and seek out violators. Be sure your web site is not violating the Mobile Marketing Association’s Best Practices/Disclaimers; you could be disconnected from servers. .
What this means to Dental offices? We can “call” for reminders, and confirmations for appointments but we cannot “call” for marketing purposes.
Ways to get your consent:
Permission on paper
Electronic signatures
Asking for consumer’s permission via texting or emailing (only from those that have contacted you first via texts or emails).
Once you have received an email or text you can ask permission but the text must claim that standard text messaging rates may apply, and that customers can unsubscribe at any time by replying STOP. Any other form will result in a violation.
Disclaimer: All information provided is a guideline. Individuals should seek legal counsel for further information regarding TCPA Rule. ~Susan Ketterer Consulting
Top Reasons to Be a Solutionreach Client
ALL INCLUSIVE SERVICES
Unlimited Text.Email.Newsletters.Campaigns.Surveys.Support
▪ Natural Voice Messaging
▪ 100% Opt-in
▪ Revolutionary Customer Service
▪ Customization Capabilities
▪ Message Delivery Settings
▪ SR Patient Surveys
▪ Newsletters and Email Marketing campaigns
▪ Reviews and Online Reputation Management
▪ Our Continued Relationship with Google
▪ Increases Online Presence
▪ Integrates with your Social Media i.e. Facebook and Twitter
▪ NEW The only Patient Engagement Platform to partner and be
integrated with Google Now
▪ CareCredit Integration
▪ Smart Sync
▪ Family Messaging
▪ NEW PatientReach App: Replace your clipboard!
▪ True 2 Way Text Communication and ASAP Messaging
▪ Secure Patient Portal
▪ Video Testimonials & Birthday Video
▪ Price for Life Guarantee: SR guarantees that you will never be charged
for upgrades, extra support, or usage fees.
▪ 60 Day Satisfaction Guarantee
Robyn Carpenter
Arizona
Solutionreach Representative
480-370-8488
As dental professionals we have more and more details we need to be aware of, learn and implement. Susan Ketterer Consulting is here to support you. Susan specializes in the dental clinical team training, Social Media and Web design services. Contact Susan today for a no fee Consultation.
Disclaimer: Susan Ketterer Consulting an Affiliate to Solution Reach Click image for $10 Starbucks card for taking a free DEMO
HOW TO INCREASE PATIENT AND PROFESSIONAL REFERRALS: PART II, INTERNAL
By now I am sure you have put to use some of the External marketing techniques from Part I. Wink. Wink. Get ready to roll up your sleeves for Part II and start your internal marketing campaign. This form of marketing is easy and inexpensive you just need to have practice at it. At first you and your team will feel uncomfortable. I promise that if you stick to at least a few of these suggestions for a solid two weeks you will not think twice of your newly formed habit. The internet, seminars and journals we have access to is overwhelming with information, facts and suggestions. We would not have the time of day to do it all if we even wanted to. I challenge you to keep a journal or Evernote app(I highly suggest) and write down your gems. Hopefully you will continue to follow my newsletters to keep adding to your list. Much success and happiness!
- Give exceptional care to all patients: 67% of patients will leave a practice because of indifference or how they were treated. “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” -Maya Angelo
- Run on time: use am huddles, have fully stocked rooms at beginning of day, watch the clock, have a designated traffic controller, evaluate your scheduling periodically +-, utilize and train staff in all expanded duties when applicable, equipment and supplies be sure to have enough and in good repair, have emergency protocol. ( I will go into detail on this on my next newsletter)
- When patient gives a complimentask for a referral: This is the perfect juncture you have nothing to lose here! PT: “You all make it a pleasure to be here” Assistant: “Thank you Mr./Mrs. Patient, if you have friends and family that would appreciate the same type of dental care we welcome new patients.”
- After new patient appt. ask for a referral (and you like the patient): “If you have friends or family that need a dentist, we would love to have them as patient’s too.” This is not pushy it is just inviting them to suggest to their family and friends. If you like the patient they are more then likely to have similar friends and family.
- Sharing images, procedures, and TX outcomes to all referral sources: Keep the referring Dr. in the loop of treatment and apart of decision making for TX. Not only does this affirm your confidence in your referral sources to keep them in the loop it is the best for patient care and outcome of treatment.
- Facebook: Have a tastefully displayed sign asking patients to like your Facebook page and check -in. This creates Modern Word of Mouth! Have a contest for the most check in’s.
- In am huddle designate patients to ask for referrals for the day: Review patient chart to check for referrals and or how they were referred. If they are a high referring patient thank them and if they are not (and they are a good patient of record) let them know you would appreciate new patient referrals.
- In am huddle report the previous days referrals outcome: This creates accountability if they asked for a referral and how that went. It also gives a chance to brainstorm on how to react to patient responses. I recommend the team have at least similar answers to all basic questions.
- Have a referral program: This does not have to be elaborate. Most dental software programs now have the capability of tracking who or what has referred. Make sure to utilize this tracking capability. Once a month run a report and send personal thank you’s to the referring sources. To go a step further give discount coupons, or small gifts to show your gratefulness.
- All team members have business cards: It is a nice touch to hand out your card post treatment. “call me Mr./Mrs. patient if you have any questions!”, on the back of the card have a “Care to Share” I had a great experience at (Name o f Practice) I want to share that with you! Also encourage team members to hand out in the public. Make it fun and have a competition for the most team referrals they get a mani/pedi, sleep in pass, or whatever you can think of. Your software should be able to track this information too!
- Send a THANK YOU: It team member every week picks one patient for coming to the office this week . Place your personal card in the note and have a stamp to place on the back of the letter that states, ” The best compliment you can give us is to refer us to family and friends. Thank you for trusting us with your Smile!”
- Give over the top customer service: Have coffee, water bottles, hot towels, warm blankets, pillows, personal music and or videos, lip balm, fancy soaps and lotions in the bathroom. Make them feel like they are special. Take a look at 5 star customer service companies in your area and try to apply to your practice. If you have The Ritz nearby check it out!
Take images and give to patients: Send patients home with before and afters. They are going to at the very least have laying on kitchen counter and their family members will see. At the best case scenario they will post on Facebook or other social media outlets, or bring to their social club or event.
Stay Tuned for : How to reduce Stress, Increase Efficiency and Profits in the Dental Office
Read my latest review for On-Site Consulting:
I met Ms. Susan Ketterer from research on Linkedin and then hired her and Debbie Seidel-Bittke, owner’s of Dental Practice Solutions. I wanted an experienced Dental Consultant to look at my Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Practice and see if recommendations could be made. We spoke a few times on the phone/email and they came to New York & to the Bronx for almost a week to work and advise me and my staff.
Many issues and topics were discussed with me and my team individually and as group. I found Ms. Ketterer very knowledgeable and easy to work with; as did my staff. Being in business for almost 35 years and not one for change easily, I saw
things that would benefit my practice from idea’s of Susan’s as did the staff. Susan was patient with everyone, who only knew my way!!
The communication between reception and treatment area’s were shown to need some changes; as was the phone and how its answered and messages taken.
Susan worked with the team to show better ways in all aspects.
Susan and Dental Practice Solutions worked with me & the staff on billing issues, the importance of Team Meetings and many other things that could be better approached.
I will continue working with Ms. Ketterer and Ms. Debra Seidel-Bittke of Dental Practice Solutions throughout the year.
I highly and without any reservation recommend them for any Dental Practice need.
They give more than 100% of themselves and always do it with a smile!!
Dr. Bartley R. Labiner
Expert Advisor to:
Phone: 520-981-0737
Email: info@susankettererconsulting.com
Have a Happy and Successful Day!
Top 11 tips for #Hashtags
What is a Hashtag?
A hashtag is an easy way for users to categorize posts that share a common topic or belong to a particular group. The hashtag is used to highlight keywords or topics within a post, and can be placed anywhere within a post.
How to search using a Hashtag
Any public post can be searched by anyone, and posters often use hashtags to help direct searches to their posts. A post can have more then one hashtag in a single post, so when searching for posts users can enter multiple hashtag terms, like #Facebook #hashtags.
Within Facebook one would write in the search bar facebook, or hashtags to access information regarding using hashtags and possibly related to Facebook.
Tips for using hashtags
1. Limit the amount of hashtags to 2-5 per post
2. Do not use a too broad of a word (Example: instead of dentistry use periodontal disease)
3. See what competitors are using and USE them
4. Do not use spaces (Example: instead of #periodontal #disease use #periodontaldisease
5. Capitols do not matter
6. Keep it short and easy
7. Use hashtags in newsletter’s, blogs and post
8. Create your own hashtag like #susanketterer or #susankettererconsulting and use repeatledly
9. Use hashtags to reach beyond your current fans (you will be grouped with other articles or posts with the same hashtags
10. Keep it relevant. If Obama Care is a hot topic use the hashtag #obamacare but only if you are posting about the topic (otherwise you will lose credibility and be labeled as a spammer)
11. Do not use just hashtags. Give good content too!
Take these few tips and put them to use today to reach past your current fan-base.
Expert Advisor to:
Now scheduling in-office consultations for 2014 520-981-0737 or info@susankettererconsulting.com
New #HIPAA form for download! Compliment
New #HIPAA form for download! Compliments of #susankettererconsulting #practicemanagement http://ow.ly/d/1IPx
Top Face book tips! #freetips http://ow.
Top Face book tips! #freetips http://ow.ly/d/1IPt
5 Key Components for a Successful Monthly Team Meeting
- Have an agenda: A written list of items to be discussed at meeting.
- Assign meeting task force: Facilitator (with timer, if needed), Action Plan Recorder and Minutes Recorder
- Facilitator: Meeting organizer, in charge of; agenda, meeting theme, maintaining control, timing (appoint time keeper), snacks and prizes.
- Action Plan Recorder: Will write down and lead the team to agree on team member/s the task is assigned to, time frame it needs to be completed with priority of task.
- Minutes Recorder: Recorder will write down all information in a condensed version so information can be referred back to. Minutes will be written or typed and presented to Dr. ASAP. Dr. will review notes to be presented at next meeting for review and approval.
*Notes from prior meeting distributed with agenda and any literature or paper for review 1 day prior to meeting to all team members.
Team meetings are a crucial component to a teams success. Team Meetings are the foundations to idea swapping, brain storming and planning for the Goals and Vision of the Practice. Have your team be on target by having the crucial Team Meeting Task Force assembled.
Other key components to meetings we train on are the steps before the meeting, tips for a successful meeting, and team meeting add-ons to add flair and fun to your meeting.
Debbie and I are so passionate about our team meeting protocols. We offer am huddle protocols and how to have a Fabulous Annual Plan meeting to kick start off your Team to a $uccesful New Year!
Contact us today to incorporate our fool proof, easy to follow systems for your am huddle, Monthly & Annual plan meetings
Susan Ketterer Consulting
http://www.susankettererconsulting.com (visit my website and sign up for my newsletters)
520-981-0737
info@susankettererconsulting.com
Click here to purchase my manual on how to use Facebook to create Profits for your Business
58 CDT changes in 2014. Are you ready?
The end of the year is almost upon us and with that we need to look at ending this year and preparing for the new! The dental field has many things to get ready for the New Year and a big one is the new CDT updates. The ADA is giving us some time to digest and prepare for the 2014 CDT additions and changes. We have 58 changes to the Current Dental Terminology (CDT) that need to be implemented by 2014. Dental Practice Solutions works hard to keep dental office informed of changes within dentistry. We realize you need to keep focused on doing dentistry. Thank you for relying us to keep you up to date and informed. We have 29 new codes, 18 revised codes, 4 deleted codes, and 7 changes to subcategories of the CDT code set. HIPAA recognizes the CDT as the standard for reporting dental claims and the ADA is responsible to maintain the CDT codes. Changes to codes are determined by insurance carriers of how and what are being processed so remember to submit all procedures and codes that are provided even if you know you will not be paid this year, it may be next year! Who ever thought sealants, implants, adult fluoride, or night guards would eventually be a covered benefit for our patients?
Dental Practice Solutions recommends having one team member “in charge “of the CDT codes. This team member is ultimately responsible learning the CDT codes, updating the dental software with the changes, and for training all team members. We suggest all team members because it is our menu of services we offer. A good analogy would be a waitress arriving at a table not knowing the menu and then placing a wrong order into the kitchen and the kitchen producing the wrong meal for the table. Most offices do not realize they can be selling the side of mash potatoes with the steak a la carte, they assume the steak just comes with the meal. A perfect example of this is separating the implant attachment from the implant fee. Dental offices originally used to lump this all together because insurance carries never paid for implants now more and more are and the CDT has previously updated to accommodate those changes. Having someone accountable in your office to be on alert of these changes could mean extra income for your practice doing the same dentistry you have been doing but now getting paid for it! Making more money, for the same effort? Yes, that is what we are saying!
New Codes
- D0393 Treatment simulation using 3D image volume
- D0394 Digital subtraction of two or more images or image volumes of the same modality
- D0395 Fusion of two or more 3D image volumes of one or more modalitiesd0601 Caries risk assessment and documentation, with a finding of low risk
- D0601 Caries risk assessment and documentation, with a finding of low risk
- D0602 Caries risk assessment and documentation, with a finding of moderate risk
- D0603 Caries risk assessment and documentation, with a finding of high risk
- D1999 Unspecified preventive procedure, by report
- D2921 reattachment of tooth fragment, incisal edge, or cusp
- D2941 Interim therapeutic restoration-primary dentition
10. D2949 Restorative foundation for an indirect restoration
11. D3355 Pulpal regeneration-initial visit
12. D3356 Pulpal regeneration-Interim medication replacement
13. D3357 Pulpal regeneration-completion of treatment
14. D3427 Periradicular surgery without apicoectomy
15. D3428 Bone graft in conjunction with periradicular surgery- per tooth, single site
16. D3429 Bone graft in conjunction with periradicular surgery-each additional contiguous tooth in the same surgical site
17. D3431 Biologic material to aid in soft and osseous tissue regeneration in conjunction with periradicular surgery
18. D3432 Guided tissue regeneration, resorbable barrier, per site, in conjunction with periradicular surgery
19. D4921 Gingival irrigation- per quadrant
20. D5863 Overdenture-complete maxillary
21. D5865 Overdenture-complete mandibular
22. D5864 Overdenture –partial maxillary
23. D5866 Overdenture-partial mandibular
24. D5994 periodontal medicament carrier with peripheral seal-laboratory processed
25. D6011 Second stage implant surgery
26. D6013 Surgical placement of mini implant
27. D6052 Semi-precision attachment abutment
28. D8694 Repair of fixed retainers, includes reattachment
29. D9985 Sales tax
New sub categories
- Post processing of image or images sets
- Pulpal regeneration
- Carriers
a) Radiation carrier (D5983)
b) Fluoride gel carrier (D5986)
c) Vesiculobullous disease medicament carrier (D5991)
d) Periodontal medicament carrier with peripheral seal –laboratory processed (D5994)
Deleted Codes
- D0363 Cone beam- three dimensional image reconstruction using existing data, includes multiple images
- D3354 Pulpal regeneration-(completion of regenerative treatment in an immature permanent tooth with a necrotic pulp); does not include final restoration.
- D5860 Overdenture-complete, by report
- 5861 Overdenture-partial, by report
The CDT 2014 is now available to purchase on the ADA website http://www.ada.org we recommend supplementing by also purchasing Dental Coding Made Simple: Resource Guide and Training Manual, 2013-2014. This resource guide is revised every two years, sections include 151 common questions/answers; more than 25 coding exercises; an illustrated implant section; and a continuing education exam with five CE credits.
Keep your office up to date on the CDT codes to maximize patient coverage to have higher acceptance rate of treatment, have better speed and accuracy of dental claims submitted to have faster payment of dental claims and utilize front office staff to engage more dentistry in your schedule and not be resubmitting or following up on poorly submitted claims.
A well-trained staff is a happier and more productive staff! Are acting preventatively in health of your practice? Make resolutions to be preventative with your offices’ health. Train and be prepared for the New Year.
Dental Practice Solutions is available for office staff training and practice health assessments to move you forward in the New Year. Call today to for a 15-minute assessment to a healthier economic and mental well being for you and your staff members.
520-981-0737
Tip of the day: Listening
A tip on how you can get your patients to listen at your next consultation.
Susan Ketterer Consulting 