Top 5 Dental News Stories You Need to Know Before January 1, 2020

There are a lot of changes coming to dentistry in 2020 and all the “breaking news” and hype articles can be a lot to keep up with.

So, we’ve compiled one master list of the Top 5 “must-read” articles and changes impacting dentistry early in 2020—from legal proceedings against Delta Dental to new rules about narratives and clinical notes. We’ve got it all in this blog post.

Did we miss anything big? Let us know in the comments below!

1. Clinical Notes Requirements: You need more than a narrative to get claims paid

While implemented in 2018, enforcement for clinical notes begins in 2020. It is imperative that you educate your staff as to the importance of these changes and the way they affect your bottom line when it comes to claims submission. At eAssist, we aim to submit clean claims for you and these clinical notes are an absolute requirement for efficient processing. A good way for you to remember this is a quote from Delta’s description itself: “There is a general rule in a court of law that states that “if it is not in the clinical notes, it did not happen.”

This is a big shift for many dentists, and non-compliance can be costly in your claims and collections process. Click here to make sure you’re up to speed on this one!

2. The ADA has Filed a Lawsuit Against Delta Dental

Probably the biggest story to hit dentistry at this end of the year, Delta Dental is in hot water regarding its anti-competitive policies in the dental coverage space.

Check out the full story on Dr. Bicuspid by clicking here.

 3. Windows 7 Ending Support, What’s Next?

On January 14th, 2020 Microsoft ends its support for Windows 7 programming. Unsure how this will affect you, or what you need to do to prevent any delays in production? We are giving you direct access to our Director of IT, Angel Shultze in a free webinar on December 13, 2019.

You will learn about…

• What changes are necessary as you migrate away from Microsoft 7.
• The deadline of January 14th, 2020 ​that you have to make these changes by and how you can meet it.
• How big of a headache this change will be… P.S. it is easier than you would think!
• The danger ​you could face if you don’t migrate over and upgrade away from Microsoft 7.
• Come equipped with your questions, a notepad, and a pen. We are excited to help you with this transition!

Click here to register for the webinar today. 

4. Buildup Criteria Changes for Delta Dental Coming in 2020

Using feedback from dentists like you, Delta has simplified their core buildup clause to include the following criteria needed for coverage:

“A core buildup is covered for a posterior tooth when one cusp is missing down to, or closer than, 2mm from the gum tissue in preparation for a restorative crown.”

Click here to read the full details.
* You must be logged in as a provider to view this criteria

5. CDT 2020 Dental Code Changes

As reliable as the setting sun, we’ve got the new 2020 CDT code changes. New procedure codes and changes to existing codes are vital to the timely submission and payment of any insurance claims. CDT has offered us a look at what we can expect in terms of new and updated procedural codes in the upcoming year.

Read the full list here:

CDT 2020 DENTAL CODE CHANGES

New Procedure Codes (37)

1. 1. D0419 – assessment of salivary flow by measurement
   2. D1551 – re-cement or re-bond bilateral space maintainer – maxillary
   3. D1552 – re-cement or re-bond bilateral space maintainer – mandibular
   4. D1553 – re-cement or re-bond unilateral space maintainer – per quadrant
   5. D1556 – removal of fixed unilateral space maintainer – per quadrant
   6. D1557 – removal of fixed bilateral space maintainer – maxillary
   7. D1558 – removal of fixed bilateral space maintainer – mandibular
   8. D2753 – crown – porcelain fused to titanium and titanium alloys
   9. D5284 – removable unilateral partial denture – one piece flexible base (including clasps and teeth) – per quadrant
   10. D5286 – removable unilateral partial denture – one piece resin (including clasps and teeth) – per quadrant
   11. D6082 – implant supported crown – porcelain fused to predominantly base alloys
   12. D6083 – implant supported crown – porcelain fused to noble alloys
   13. D6084 – implant supported crown – porcelain fused to titanium and titanium alloys
   14. D6086 – implant supported crown – predominantly base alloys
   15. D6087 – implant supported crown – noble alloys
   16. D6088 – implant supported crown – titanium and titanium alloys
   17. D6097 – abutment supported crown – porcelain fused to titanium and titanium alloys
   18. D6098 – implant supported retainer – porcelain fused to predominantly base alloys
   19. D6099 – implant supported retainer for FPD – porcelain fused to noble alloys
   20. D6120 – implant supported retainer – porcelain fused to titanium and titanium alloys
   21. D6121 – implant supported retainer for metal FPD – predominantly base alloys
   22. D6122 – implant supported retainer for metal FPD – noble alloys
   23. D6123 – implant supported retainer for metal FPD – titanium and titanium alloys
   24. D6195 – abutment supported retainer – porcelain fused to titanium and titanium alloys
   25. D6243 – pontic – porcelain fused to titanium and titanium alloys
   26. D6753 – retainer crown – porcelain fused to titanium and titanium alloys
   27. D6784 – retainer crown ¾ – titanium and titanium alloys
   28. D7922 – placement of intra-socket biological dressing to aid in hemostasis or clot stabilization, per site
   29. D8696 – repair of orthodontic appliance – maxillary
   30. D8697 – repair of orthodontic appliance – mandibular
   31. D8698 – re-cement or re-bond fixed retainer – maxillary
   32. D8699 – re-cement or re-bond fixed retainer – mandibular
   33. D8701 – repair of fixed retainer, includes reattachment – maxillary
   34. D8702 – repair of fixed retainer, includes reattachment – mandibular
   35. D8703 – replacement of lost or broken retainer – maxillary
   36. D8704 – replacement of lost or broken retainer – mandibular
   37. D9997 – dental case management – patients with special health care needs

Code Revisions (5)

1. 1. D1510 space maintainer – fixed, unilateral – per quadrant. Excludes a distal shoe space maintainer.
   2. D1520 space maintainer – removable, – unilateral – per quadrant
   3. D1575 distal shoe space maintainer – fixed – unilateral – per quadrant fabrication and delivery of fixed appliance extending subgingivally and distally to guide the eruption of the first permanent molar. Does not include ongoing follow-up or adjustments, or replacement appliances, once the tooth has erupted.

In addition, there will be periodontal category descriptor revisions.

Site:

• • If two contiguous teeth have areas of soft tissue recession, each area of recession tooth is a single site.
  • Depending on the dimensions of the defect, up to two contiguous edentulous tooth positions may be considered a single site.

Code Deletions (6)

1. 1. D1550 – re-cement or re-bond space maintainer
   2. D1555 – removal of fixed space maintainer
   3. D8691 – repair of orthodontic appliance
   4. D8692 – replacement of lost or broken retainer
   5. D8693 – re-cement or re-bond fixed retainer
   6. D8694 – repair of fixed retainers, includes reattachment

There are also 15 editorial (e.g., syntax, spelling) actions that clarify without changing the CDT Code entry’s purpose or scope.