The American Dental Association released a new guide for using CDT codes when collecting and analyzing saliva samples for diagnostic purposes, according to a Jan. 2 news release from the ADA.
Here are seven things for dentists to know:
1. In the CDT Code, saliva diagnostics are based on the type of test, the purpose of the saliva sample and the nature of the analysis.
2. Code DO417 is used for the collection and preparation of a saliva sample for laboratory diagnostic testing.
3. Code DO418 is used for chemical or biological analysis of a saliva sample for diagnostic purposes.
4. Code DO419 is used for the assessment of salivary flow by measurement.
5. These codes are used when a dental practice collects a saliva sample and then sends the sample to a certified laboratory to create a diagnostic report.
6. Code D9999 would be used if a dental practice instructs a patient to collect a saliva sample on a test card and then uses an app to receive instant results.
7. At this point, there are no salivary diagnostic tests that have been approved by the FDA for assessing the risk of periodontal disease, dental caries or head and neck cancer.