Ramifications of an inadequate periodontal diagnosis lead to diseased patients, financially unproductive practices and of greatest concern: legal action via negligence. Failure to diagnose periodontal disease is consistently a top complaint filed with state dental boards. The first step in treating and managing a patient’s care (with maximum insurance reimbursement) is diagnosing disease accurately, ethically, and comprehensively.

As diagnostics continually evolve, dental providers are encouraged to put down the scaler and pick up the probe. Active and appropriate diagnosis leads to comprehensive and effective therapy. This course walks you through the nine classifications of health and disease as established by the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), as well as effective clinical decision-making in the management of each diagnosis.

The struggle for appropriate diagnostics to maximize insurance coverage remains a common stress in the dental office. Learn effective coding techniques to best enable insurance coverage.

Review anatomical and clinical observations that aid in the identification of active disease, as well as the system for case types and classifying diseases. Gain guidance in coding, narrative suggestions for informed refusal and templates for appeals to support advanced coverage by third-party payers.

Objectives

Ms. Katrina Sanders is a clinical dental hygienist, author and international speaker. She is the Clinical Liaison, Hygiene Excellence and Innovation for AZPerio, the country's largest periodontal practice. She is on the advisory board and is a columnist for ModernHygienist.com and is a writer for Dentaltown Magazine and Today's Hygienist. In addition, Ms. Sanders is the founder and keynote speaker for Sanders Board Preparatory.

Continental breakfast will be provided.