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Volume2 Issue3
CDA
at
W
ork
5
Afirst visit to thedentistwithin6monthsof eruptionof thefirst
toothor byage1 ishere to stay. Primarycareproviders across thehealth
care spectrum recognizeoral healthas an important part of overall health. An
investment in infant andchildren’soral health is key to lifelonghealth. Ideally,
children should seeadentistwithin thefirst year and regularly thereafter,
just like regular examinationswith their pediatricianor familydoctor.
a
3
4
Youneedspecialequipmentorsetup forbabies.
While infantsmayhaveuniquechairsideneeds, theydonot requireuniqueequipment or
instruments in theexamination room. That said, youmaywant to
makeminor adjustments toyour office towelcomeyour new
littlepatients. Toys andbooks in thewaiting roomwill occupy
infants as theywait for their appointment. Consider adding
changing tables in thewashrooms andanextrachair in the
examination room for parents. Have theparent hold thechild
asmuchaspossible toavoid separationanxiety.
Parentsdelay thefirstvisitbecause
insurancecarriersdon’t reimburse it.
Most PDAshave incorporatedcode00011 into their feeguides, thedescription
which reads:
“Oral assessment forpatientsup to theageof threeyears inclusive. Assessment to include:
familial dentalhistory; dietary/feedingspractices; oralhabits; oralhygiene; fluorideexposure.
Anticipatoryguidancewithparent/guardian”
Whileusing this code for first visit invoicingpurposes can streamline theclaims submission
process, it unfortunatelydoesnot guarantee reimbursement under parents’ dental plans.
Reference
1.Canadian Institute forHealth Information.
TreatmentofPreventableDentalCavities inPreschoolers:AFocusonDaySurgeryUnderGeneral
Anesthesia.
2013.
Dr.PaulAndrews
Dr. Andrews ofToronto is a pediatric dentist, the director of the
graduate clinical program in pediatric dentistry at theUniversity of
Toronto, andamember ofCDA’sAccess toCareWorkingGroup.
Firstvisitbyage1 is justapassing trend.
