The American Dental Association (ADA) has finalized the Current Dental Terminology (CDT) for 2024. There are 16 total changes: 14 additions and 2 revisions. One new category of service has been added. Sleep Apnea Services is now its own category of service.  CDT 2024 goes into effect January 1, 2024, all dental claims for services performed between January 1 and December 31, 2024, must utilize the appropriate code from the new CDT 2024 to meet HIPAA requirements.

CDT 2024 Additions:

D0396 – 3D Printing of a 3D Surface Scan

D1301 – Immunization Counseling

D2976 – Band Stabilization – per tooth

D2989 – Excavation of a Tooth Resulting in the Determination of Non-Restorability

D2991 – Application of Hydroxyapatite Regeneration Medicament – per tooth

D6089 – Accessing and Retorquing Loose Implant Screw – per screw

D7284 – 3D Printing of a 3D Dental Surface Scan

D7939 – Indexing for Osteotomy Using Dynamic Robotic Assisted or Dynamic Navigation

D9938 – Fabrication of a Custom Removable Clear Plastic Temporary Aesthetic Appliance

D9939 – Placement of a Custom Removable Plastic Temporary Aesthetic Appliance

D9954 – Fabrication and Delivery of Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) Morning Repositioning Device

D9955 – Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) Titration Visit

D9956 – Administration of Home Sleep Apnea Test

D9957 – Screening for Sleep Related Breathing Disorders

Please note, the listing of a procedure code does not mean that the procedure code is a covered or reimbursable benefit within a dental benefits plan.

For a full list of CDT 2024 procedure code changes, log in to your online dentist account at DeltaDentalKS.com. You will find the "CDT 2024 Procedure Code Changes" document within the "Documents & Dentist Handbook" section within the "Dentist Briefcase".

CDT Code D4346:

The CDT description of D4346 states that this procedure is for “the removal of plaque, calculus, and stains from supra- and sub-gingival tooth surfaces when there is generalized moderate or severe gingival inflammation in the absence of periodontitis. It is indicated for patients who have swollen, inflamed gingiva, generalized suprabony pockets, and moderate to severe bleeding on probing. Should not be reported in conjunction with prophylaxis, scaling and root planning, or debridement procedures”.

D4346 is a therapeutic procedure that can be performed on the same day as an oral evaluation.  It is performed to remove supra and subgingival calculus and to address swollen, red, bleeding gums that represent gingivitis localized without loss of attachment or bone loss (that is characterized in scaling and root planing).  A D1110 can be performed about 2-4 weeks after the D4346. Radiographs and periodontal charting with a comment stating “generalized gingival inflammation and bleeding upon probing” should be kept in the patient’s chart.  It is not required to be sent to DDKS with the claim. 

Using this CDT code to document a time-consuming prophylaxis, often referred to as a hard prophy is not appropriate.

Delta Dental of Kansas will benefit this code when all of these are present:

• Exam has already been performed (exam may be performed on the same day or prior to the D4346 procedure);
• Patient is diagnosed with Generalized Moderate Gingivitis or Generalized Severe Gingivitis;
• Generalized pocket depths 4mm or greater are present;
• Moderate to severe bleeding on probing is present; AND
• Radiographs show that there is less than 2mm bone loss from the Cementoenamel Junction (CEJ).

The American Dental Association has produced supporting documentation, such as the illustration below, to assist dentists in determining when the use of D4346 is appropriate. 

The American Dental Association has also produced a more in depth document, “ADA Guide to Reporting D4346”, which can be downloaded on the ADA website.