CDT MAINTAINED BY THE CMC (CODE MAINTENANCE COMMITTEE)

For the year 2015, 119 requests for CDT Code additions, deletions, and modifications came from practicing dentists and organizations within or servicing the profession.  The CMC (Code Maintenance Committee) was established by the ADA Council on Dental Benefit Programs to coordinate, evaluate, and accept or reject requests submitted for changes.  Twenty-one voting members of the CMC meet at ADA headquarters each year in late February or early March to address proposed changes.  The CDT set of Codes is intellectual property of the ADA, and it is the standard accepted by the federal government under HIPAA for reporting dental services on claims to third party payers.

If you have ideas for CDC Code changes to be considered in early 2015 for the year 2016 or simply want more information on the Code Maintenance Committee, visit www.ADA.org/3830.aspx.

BEST OCCUPATIONS OF 2014

Earlier this year U.S. News and World Report Ranked the top ten occupations in the U.S. using a number of factors, including work-life balance, job prospects, employment rate in that particular profession, median salary, stress level, and 10 year growth.  In order from First to Tenth, the top 10 were:

• Software Developer
• Computer Systems Analyst
• Dentist
• Nurse Practitioner
• Pharmacist
• Registered Nurse
• Physical Therapist
• Physician
• Web Developer
• Dental Hygienist

Dentists ranked #3 while Dental Hygienists earned the #10 place.  Dentists earned a median salary of $145,240 in 2012, the latest year’s figure available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  Further, the Bureau projects Dentists’ employment growth rate will be almost 16% between 2012 and 2022 with Dental Hygienists’ employment growing over 33% in that same period.  Dental Hygienists had a median salary of $70,210 in 2012 and an unemployment rate of only 2.8%.

CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) INITIATIVE FOCUSES ON CHILDREN’S ORAL HEALTH

Fall 2012 saw the launch of an oral health initiative to increase the percentage of children receiving preventive dental care and dental sealants as part of their enrollment in Medicaid or CHIP (Child Health Insurance Programs).  CMS is the federal agency that oversees Medicaid and CHIP in all states.  Low utilization of preventive services and sealants nationwide precipitated the oral health initiative.  Since the start of the push to increase utilization, states have been assembling task forces or other types of work groups to create plans to facilitate this initiative.

Dental caries is the most prevalent chronic infectious disease in children in the U.S.  This statistic is particularly puzzling when one realizes that caries in children could almost be eliminated with proper preventive care including sealants and healthy dietary choices.  The CMS initiative aims at elimination of caries in children enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP.

Some states have completed the planning process to meet the CMS initiative criteria; other states are in still in the planning process with the ultimate goal of caries elimination by improving access to preventive oral health services for children enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP.  If you are interested in how your state is addressing the CMS initiative or participating in the plans for your state, contact your state’s Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Public Health, or your state Dental Society for more information.

AN EASY CHECK OF YOUR RECARE SYSTEM EFFECTIVENESS

Recare System effectiveness is calculated based on the number of active patients in the practice.  If a practice has 2000 active patients, the calculation can be made:

• 2000 active patients; each to be recalled every 6 months                                    
• 2000 active patients ÷ 6 months = 333 Recares/month for 100% effective system  
• 175 Recares/month actual average 
• 175 Recares ÷ 333 = 53% effective system 

Minimum goal = 70% - 80% effective system.  Using 75% effectiveness rate as an average goal:

• 2000 active patients x .75 = 1500 patients                                                          
• 1500 patients ÷ 6 months = 250 Recares/month with 75% effective system           
• 250 Recares – 175 (actual average/month) = 75 additional Recares/month

So---what difference does it make if 75 additional Recare patients are seen each month?  First, you and your staff assure better oral health for more patients.  From the first appointment, it is most important to educate patients to the fact that the focus of your care, once needed restorative work is completed, is to help them stay healthy, free of dental disease through routine hygiene appointments.  A second factor to consider is increased production.  Multiply your Recare fee by the monthly goal of 75 additional Recares to calculate the increased production per month.  The dramatic monetary effect a 75% effective Recare system will have on your annual income is stunning.  You are looking at a WIN for patients and a WIN for your practice.