Sidekick - Summer 2011 - (Page 24)

Improving Periodontal Treatment Acceptance By Kristen Esler, RDH Today, most dental treatment providers clearly understand the importance of periodontal disease and its ramifications on patients’ health. So why are fewer than 5% of patients receiving the treatment this disease requires? There are several factors required to create a successful Periodontal Program. First, there must be an office protocol for perio diagnosis that reflects the vision of the practice. Second is the commitment to change from the dental team. The entire team must agree on the protocol and work together to execute it, including providing patient education and motivation. Third, scheduling must allow enough time for the hygienist to provide treatment and operatory capacity to support that treatment. Finally, perio coding must be done properly to ensure appropriate insurance reimbursement and patient compliance. Proper coding provides a means for helping patients achieve ideal oral health and proper insurance coverage. Sadly, even though science and technology related to diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease have significantly changed over the past 30 years, many dental practices are stuck in a “business as usual” mindset. Despite the prevalence and persistent nature of periodontal infections, more than 70% of dental offices do not perform full-mouth probing and charting on a regular basis. The popular “adult prophylaxis” procedure is being offered to patients who have all the clinical evidence of an active periodontal infection. We must start by informing patients of their current disease status and making recommendations for their treatment. The next step is to use the proper CDT 2011-2012 codes for billing and help the patient understand what these codes mean and why they are being used. Periodontal Program Goals should be customized for each individual, practice but the following are recommended: Periodontal Program Goals 1. Use education to motivate the patient to accept the necessary recommended care. 2. Increase the patient’s level of periodontal health. 3. Help the patient receive maximum insurance benefits. 4. Make sure the hygienist is paid for the procedures she/he is actually providing* 5. Increase the practice profitability by using the correct periodontal codes. * It’s important to understand that many hygienists are already doing the work, and should be paid accordingly. The use and documentation of proper billing codes will ensure the offices are paid for the proper periodontal treatments. 1. Diagnosing Periodontal Disease The Periodontal Examination–Everything begins with the gathering of the clinical data necessary for the diagnosis of periodontal disease. Full Periodontal Probing Charting and X-rays generally need to be sent to the insurance company to demonstrate presence of periodontal disease. They will not allow the patient coverage without these. Full Perio Charting involves 4 or 6 measurement points of pocket depth on each tooth. Notation of tooth mobilities, furcation involvements, occlusal trauma, and tissue attachment abnormalities, bleeding SIDEKICK 24 Summer 2011 Sidekick

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Sidekick - Summer 2011

Sidekick - Summer 2011
Table of Contents
Hoekwater Family Dentistry
Traveling With an Old Friend
A Case Study of Acute Changes in Dental Occlusion: Digital CBCT Analysis
We Do That!
Improving Periodontal Treatment Acceptance
Henry Schein Financial Services
Fiscally Fit in 2011
Featured Designs
Smile Design Esthetics
Arkansas Family Dental
Privileges
Distinctive Advantage
Clay Center Family Dental Care
TechCentral
New Tools From i-CAT
Better Hiring Techniques for Dental Practices
Tips From the Top
Exploring the Use of QR Codes in Dental Practice Marketing
Gendex–Past Legacy and Future Innovation
iPad? Xoom? Making Heads or Tails of Tablet Computing
Gearhart Dentistry–Dr. Stephanie White
Professional Practice Transitions

Sidekick - Summer 2011