Code on Dental Procedures and Nomenclature (CDT Code)
Purpose
The purpose of the CDT Code is to achieve uniformity, consistency and specificity in accurately documenting dental treatment. One use of the CDT Code is to provide for the efficient processing of dental claims, and another is to populate an Electronic Health Record.
On August 17, 2000 the CDT Code was named as a HIPAA standard code set. Any claim submitted on a HIPAA standard electronic dental claim must use dental procedure codes from the version of the CDT Code in effect on the date of service. The CDT Code is also used on paper dental claims, and the ADA's paper claim form data content reflects the HIPAA electronic standard.
Code on Dental Procedures and Nomenclature CDT Code
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Annual Review & Revision
The Council on Dental Benefit Programs (CDBP) has ADA Bylaws responsibility for CDT Code maintenance. To fulfill this obligation CDBP established its Code Maintenance Committee (CMC), a body that includes representatives from various sectors of the dental community (e.g., ADA; dental specialty organizations; third-party payers). CMC members, by their votes, determine which of the requested actions are incorporated into the CDT Code.
Please see Code Maintenance Committee (CMC) page for information about the CMC's members and reports of CDT Code maintenance actions taken at past meetings.
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2018 CMC Meeting and Action Reports
The Code Maintenance Committee (CMC) convened its Annual Meeting on March 15, 2018 to determine which action requests on its agenda would be accepted for inclusion in CDT 2019, which is effective January 1st. There are two reports available for review or download that concern the CMC’s actions.
“Summary of CMC Accepted Actions” lists the 26 accepted changes to be reflected in CDT 2019. These changes are 15 additions, 5 revisions, 4 deletions and 2 editorial changes. The “Summary…” is a three page listing in PDF format.
“Details of CMC Actions” contains each action request on the CMC’s agenda, those that were accepted for inclusion in CDT 2019 and those that were not. This report begins with editorial requests that solely correct grammar, syntax or format errors in existing CDT Code entries (Inventory #00), followed by the substantive requests that address a procedure’s purpose and scope (Inventory #s 01-66).
“Details…” is a bookmarked PDF for ready access to specific requests of interest. Each bookmarked substantive action request begins with the committee’s action, vote tally and specific rationales for the decision not to accept an action request. This information, for the record, is followed by the action request as submitted.
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Next CMC Meeting
The next annual Code Maintenance Committee (CMC) meeting is scheduled to convene at ADA Headquarters in Chicago on March 14 – 15, 2019 (Thursday- Friday). Proceedings begin on March 14th at 8:30 AM in the 2nd floor Auditorium. The meeting will formally adjourn when the CMC has addressed all agenda items, which may be accomplished in less than the two days set aside.
- This an open meeting that includes public comment and discussion of any CDT Code Action Request before the committee.
- The CMC meeting is when member organization representatives discuss and vote to accept, amend or decline each action request
There are 146 CDT Code Action Requests to be addressed during the CMC meeting, and each is found in the following inventory document that may be downloaded.
Code Maintenance Committee (CMC) Meeting Telephone Connection Instructions
The CMC meeting is open to any person interested in the proceedings and discussion of the CDT Code Action Requests on the committee’s agenda.
Interested parties who are not able to attend in person may listen (only) to the proceedings via telephone.
To connect dial – 303.248.0285
Enter meeting access code at the prompt 4402759 following by the # symbol.
The telephone line will open at 8:30 a.m. Central Time on Thursday, March 14 and on Friday, March 15. This line will remain open until the CMC’s proceedings end each day.
Code Maintenance Committee Meeting Preliminary Agenda
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CDT Code Maintenance Timeline
CDT Change requests may be submitted at any time, and the date received determines the CDT Code version that may incorporate the requested action. The annual closing date for submissions is on the CDT Code Maintenance timeline. Any requests received after the closing date will be addressed in the next annual maintenance cycle.
Contact Us
Telephone: ADA Members, please use the toll-free number on the back of your membership card; Direct dial, 312.440.2500
Email: dentalcode@ada.org