PROFESSIONAL TRIVIA—IMPORTANT “STUFF”* YOU SHOULD KNOW

*CDT Codes:  2016 updates for the Code on Dental Procedures and Nomenclature (CDT) numbered 19 additions, 12 deletions, and eight deletions.  The Code Maintenance Committee (CMC) comprised of 21 voting members operates under the auspices of the American Dental Association which schedules and chairs the annual update meetings.

The CMC operates in a transparent manner in an open annual meeting attended by Committee members plus a number of observers.  There is full discussion and debate before the vote on each suggested code change.  This year’s CMC met in March at ADA headquarters in Chicago, IL to examine and vote on 74 proposals for modification, inclusion, or deletion of specific codes.

Until November 1, 2015, the CMC is taking proposals for inclusion in CDT 2017.  To suggest an additional code, a modification to an existing code, or the deletion of an existing code, visit ADA.org/publication/cdt.

*Serve Edentulous Patients:  About 38 million people in the U.S. are fully edentulous or edentulous in one arch according to professional studies.  The aging population plus growth in population forecasts a significant increase in this number in the next five to ten years.  Is your practice prepared to deliver prosthodontic treatment whether implant-supported or conventional?  If not, have you decided on the method of referral to a specialist or thought about ways these services can become part of the treatment mix in your practice?

*What is a CDHC?  Would such a role help your practice?:  35 years ago I began working in a dental office to develop a program for which the dentist had no name.  He could only describe what he wanted---an advocate for patients, a staff member who would educate patients about the prevention of dental disease, the necessity of regular oral examinations, the value of completing diagnosed treatment, and the vital connection between oral health and total body health.  We decided on the term “Dental Health Educator” to describe my role.  As the word spread, we began receiving community-wide requests for educational sessions in schools, civic group, patents’ organizations, other health care facilities, businesses, industries, and so on.  We also received many inquiries from other dental offices around the country about how they too could add such a staff role.  The effects of offering an oral health education program were surprising and rewarding, a unique opportunity to serve our community through health education and also an unexpected and unparalleled marketing tool for our dental practice.

Imagine my delight when I recently read about a new position that has been developed to serve Native American and Alaska Native communities, the role of Community Dental Health Coordinator (CDHC).  The pilot project combines efforts of the ADA working with the Navajo Nation to “recruit Nation members to train as CDHCs.”  Currently, there are 11 American Indian CDHCs providing services in 17 Native American communities across the country.  Further, the curriculum to train CDHCs is being adopted by community colleges nationwide.  Community-wide educational efforts by CDHCs are similar in practice and in purpose to the Dental Health Educator role I filled and highly valued so for many years.

The CDHC program operates under the auspices of the Indian Health Service (IHS), a federal agency.  Continued funding for the CDHC program will come through budgetary recommendations of the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies.  We applaud the CDHC program and hope Congress appropriates money for its continued implementation by limiting or eliminating other less-necessary programs.  We can certainly attest to the effectiveness of such a program.