Dental Coding vs Medical Coding: What’s the Difference?

What Is Dental Coding?

Dental coding is the process of assigning specific codes to dental procedures and diagnoses to facilitate insurance claims and billing. These codes help payers determine which procedures are eligible for coverage under a patient’s plan and ensure accurate reimbursement for the services provided.

Accurate dental coding is essential for maintaining a streamlined billing process. It helps practices avoid claim denials and ensure timely payments. By correctly reporting procedures, dental coders communicate essential clinical details to insurance payers, who then evaluate the services for reimbursement. Whether it’s routine cleanings or complex procedures like implants or periodontal surgeries, precise dental coding supports smooth claims processing and revenue integrity.

The dental coding process typically begins with the review of a patient’s clinical documentation. Coders carefully analyze the documentation to determine the appropriate codes for the procedures performed. For instance, they select specific Current Dental Terminology (CDT) codes that reflect services like preventive care, diagnostics, or restorative treatments. In some cases, additional codes may be necessary if the dental service involves a medical component, requiring coders to report both CDT and CPT codes.

Dental coding is not only critical for reimbursement but also valuable for maintaining accurate patient records and supporting data analytics. Practices can leverage dental coding data to track trends in procedures, assess productivity, and improve patient care strategies. Moreover, dental coders need to stay up-to-date with frequent changes to coding standards, including updates to CDT codes issued by the American Dental Association (ADA).

By mastering dental coding practices, dental providers and administrative staff can foster more efficient operations, minimize financial losses, and enhance overall practice management.

Understanding CDT Codes

Each Current Dental Terminology (CDT) code – managed by the American Dental Association – begins with the letter “D” followed by four digits, representing specific dental procedures. These codes are categorized into 12 service types:

1. Diagnostic (D0100-D0999)
2. Preventive (D1000-D1999)
3. Restorative (D2000-D2999)
4. Endodontics (D3000-D3999)
5. Periodontics (D4000-D4999)
6. Prosthodontics – Removable (D5000-D5899)
7. Implant Services (D6000-D6199)
8. Prosthodontics – Fixed (D6200-D6999)
9. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (D7000-D7999)
10. Orthodontics (D8000-D8999)
11. Adjunctive General Services (D9000-D9999)

Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes, on the other hand, are managed by the American Medical Association (AMA) and are five-digit numeric codes used for procedures involving a medical component. While typically used in medical billing, certain dental treatments—such as oral surgeries, biopsies, or diagnostic imaging—may also require CPT codes.

Dental Coding and Medical Coding Can Overlap

There are instances where dental treatments intersect with medical care, requiring both CDT and CPT codes. Navigating these overlaps can be complex, as accurate coding is essential for securing appropriate reimbursements and preventing claim denials. Dental coders must carefully determine when and how to report CPT codes alongside CDT codes to ensure complete and correct claim submissions.

Some common scenarios where dental and medical coding overlap include:

• TMJ surgery, which often involves collaboration between dental and medical specialists
• Sleep apnea treatments that may require oral appliance therapy
• Bone graft procedures for implants when significant reconstruction is needed
• Cancer screenings with biopsy to identify potential oral malignancies

To determine whether a procedure requires medical coding, consider the following questions:

• What procedure was performed? Did it involve a medical component, such as diagnostic imaging or tissue analysis?
• Does the patient have dental insurance, medical insurance, or both?
• What CDT codes represent the dental procedure? Are CPT codes also necessary to describe medical aspects of care?
• What are the specific insurance requirements for claim submission, and which payer is primary?

In cases where both dental and medical insurance are involved, it is essential to clearly identify primary and secondary payers, verify coverage requirements, and ensure all documentation supports the services billed. Proper coordination between dental and medical coding ensures claims are processed efficiently, optimizing reimbursement and reducing administrative complexities. with medical care, requiring both CDT and CPT codes. Common scenarios include:

• TMJ surgery
• Sleep apnea treatments
• Bone grafts for implants
• Cancer screenings with biopsy

To determine whether a procedure requires medical coding, consider the following questions:

• What procedure was performed? Did it involve a medical component?
• Does the patient have dental insurance, medical insurance, or both?
• What CDT codes represent the dental procedure? Are CPT codes also necessary?
• What are the insurance requirements for claim submission?

When billing both medical and dental insurance, it’s crucial to identify the primary and secondary payers and verify coverage requirements beforehand.

2025 CDT Code Updates

Staying current with CDT code updates is vital for accurate billing. Effective January 1, 2025, the ADA introduced 10 new CDT codes and retired two codes. Notable new additions include:

• D2956: Removal of an indirect restoration on a natural tooth
• D6180: Implant maintenance when a full arch prosthesis is not removed
• D7252: Partial extraction for immediate implant placement
• D8091: Comprehensive orthodontic treatment with orthognathic surgery
• D9959: Unspecified sleep apnea procedure

Deleted CDT codes in 2025 include:

• D2941: Interim therapeutic restoration (primary dentition)
• D6095: Repair of implant abutment (by report)

PRO TIP: Refer to the 2025 CDT Manual for details on revised codes and updates.

Best Practices for Effective Dental Coding

• Stay Updated: Regularly review CDT code updates and payer guidelines. Consistently staying informed ensures that your practice uses the correct codes and adapts to any changes in payer policies or coding standards.
• Verify Insurance Coverage: Confirm patient benefits and payer requirements before submitting claims. Insurance verification helps avoid delays or denials by ensuring that all services are pre-approved when necessary and accurately billed.
• Train Staff: Ensure coders are knowledgeable about both CDT and CPT codes. Ongoing education and training on coding practices can significantly reduce errors and improve claim success rates.
• Conduct Internal Audits: Regular audits of coding and billing practices help identify potential issues and ensure compliance with regulations.
• Partner with Experts: Engage with specialized RCM providers who understand dental and medical coding complexities. Experts can provide insights and recommendations to optimize your practice’s billing efficiency.