DANB CDA Dental Office Administration — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What coding system is used to identify dental procedures for insurance claims?
- CDT (Current Dental Terminology) codes (Correct answer)
- CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) codes
- ICD-10 codes
- HCPCS codes
Correct answer: CDT (Current Dental Terminology) codes
CDT codes, maintained by the American Dental Association, are the standardized coding system specifically designed for dental procedures used in insurance claims and record-keeping.
Question 2: What is the purpose of a dental treatment plan?
- To outline recommended procedures, sequence, and estimated costs for the patient (Correct answer)
- To schedule all appointments for the year
- To record completed procedures only
- To determine insurance coverage limits
Correct answer: To outline recommended procedures, sequence, and estimated costs for the patient
A treatment plan documents the dentist's recommended procedures in priority order, along with estimated costs and timeframes, allowing the patient to make informed decisions about their care.
Question 3: What does HIPAA protect in a dental office?
- Patient health information privacy and security (Correct answer)
- Dental equipment from damage
- Employee wages and benefits
- Insurance company profits
Correct answer: Patient health information privacy and security
HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) establishes national standards for protecting patients' sensitive health information from being disclosed without patient consent or knowledge.
Question 4: What is a predetermination of benefits?
- A request to an insurance company to determine coverage before treatment begins (Correct answer)
- A guarantee of payment from the insurance company
- A patient's estimate of their out-of-pocket costs
- A legal requirement before any dental procedure
Correct answer: A request to an insurance company to determine coverage before treatment begins
A predetermination is submitted to the insurance company before treatment to determine what benefits will be covered and at what percentage, helping the patient understand their financial responsibility.
Question 5: What is the purpose of a recall system in a dental practice?
- To schedule patients for regular preventive care appointments (Correct answer)
- To collect overdue payments
- To order dental supplies
- To track employee attendance
Correct answer: To schedule patients for regular preventive care appointments
A recall system tracks when patients are due for preventive care visits (typically every 6 months) and contacts them to schedule appointments, maintaining continuity of care.
Question 6: What should be documented in a patient's dental chart after each visit?
- All procedures performed, materials used, medications administered, and patient responses (Correct answer)
- Only the procedures that were billed
- Just the date and dentist's signature
- Only changes to the treatment plan
Correct answer: All procedures performed, materials used, medications administered, and patient responses
Complete documentation must include all procedures performed, materials and medications used, vital signs, patient responses, complications, post-operative instructions given, and next appointment plans.
DANB CDA Dental Office Administration
What coding system is used to identify dental procedures for insurance claims?