Helping Members Succeed

The New Jersey Dental Association is the voice of the dental profession and a strong proponent of oral health in the state. Members are part of a vibrant community of dentists encompassing 12 local dental societies as well as the American Dental Association. Members engage in educational programs, have access to dentist-centric relationships and tools to navigate the business of dentistry and their careers, as well as benefit from dedicated advocacy that protects the interests of the profession. The organization is run by member-dentists with the support of a team of professionals at NJDA Headquarters. NJDA members never practice alone!

March 26, 2018

Aug 20, 2020

Have you ever provided a service for a patient, only to find that there is no code describing a procedure? Read more to learn how to document this procedure.

A CDT Code is used to determine the procedure code for documenting and reporting a service provided to a patient. The codes are organized into 12 categories of service, each with its own series of five –digit alphanumeric codes to reflect services that are considered similar in purpose.

But what if there is no CDT Code that (in the dentist’s opinion) accurately describes the service provided?

The available and appropriate option is to use an “unspecified procedure , by report” code, also known as a “999” code. These codes are in every category of service, and when used must include a supporting narrative that explains the service provided. (ie: D2999 unspecified restorative procedure, by report; D3999 unspecified endodontic procedure, by report; D4999 unspecified periodontal procedure, by report etc.)

Examples: