CDT Code Accuracy in Dental Billing: Avoid Denials and Revenue Loss

August 21, 2014

Updated 12/26/25

Dental billing and CDT codes go together like peanut butter and jelly. As experienced business teams and dentists know, the Current Dental Terminology (CDT) system was designed to establish standardized codes and descriptions for reporting and documenting dental procedures. Yet, each year, coding additions, revisions, and deletions means learning something new. Reporting correct CDT codes, regardless of your participation with an insurance payor, is crucial togetting 100% of what you’re rightfully owed. 

Do you feel 100% confident that you are reporting the correct CDT codes on every dental claim? If not, keep reading.

Why Is CDT Code Accuracy Critical in Dental Billing?

Risks of Inaccurate or Improper CDT Coding

When dental offices send claims with inaccurate codes, even if it is inadvertent, they could face scrutiny and rejection from insurance payors. Some team members may send incorrect CDT codes to gain unauthorized insurance benefits for the dental practice. This could be interpreted as a potentially fraudulent billing activity.

This includes using the wrong CDT code, upcoding, reporting a more complex and/or higher-cost procedure than was actually performed, and unbundling procedures, which is essentially separating a dental procedure into separate parts, each with a charge associated to it. Reporting codes like this may also lead to higher out-of-pocket costs for patients, causing frustration and distrust. This is why the best practice is for every dental biller to be updated on the CDT codes annually. 

Benefits of Accurate CDT Coding

Take a look at some of the benefits of applying the correct codes to your dental billing processes:

Streamlined Billing Processes

• When using accurate coding materials, the chance of your insurance claims being denied is greatly reduced, leading to a quicker, more efficient dental billing process.

Improved Cash Flow

• When you’re not worried about whether or not a claim will be reimbursed properly, cash flow goes way up.

Compliance With Insurance and the Law

• By adhering to the industry standard, your practice won’t need to worry about procedural errors that prevent reimbursement or cause potentially harmful legal problems.

Improved Data Analytics

• You can better track procedural analytics through accurate coding to see which treatments are impacting your practice’s bottom line.

Patient Trust and Transparency

• Knowing the correct procedural billing code means both you and your patients don’t have to worry about a surprise bill.

The benefits of clear and accurate claims can’t be overstated. But how do you navigate a seemingly endless world of change and regulation when your team is busy with other daily tasks? No one wants to spend hours looking for the right codes and chasing down denials or rejections. Resources are available to help support your office in the billing process to better plan for growth.

Reliable CDT Coding Resources for Dental Teams

Where can I find CDT coding resources for my dental biller?

Finding information on the specific application of many CDT codes, as well as the documentation insurance is looking for to justify the treatment rendered, is limited. This missing link prevents your team from accessing what’s needed to send clean, accurate claims.

Practice Booster CDT Coding Support

Practice Booster’s Dental Coding with Confidence provides you with that missing link, with guidance and strategies for proper application and reporting of the current CDT codes, while preventing errors that affect revenue and patient satisfaction. This coding resource can help you reduce errors and optimize legitimate reimbursement. 

Are you looking for an even easier way to help manage your billing and collections?

Reducing CDT Coding Risk Through Outsourced Dental Billing

Support your team and outsource peace of mind

Outsourcing dental billing can be an effective way to streamline your billing processes. You not only reduce the risk of claim denials and delayed reimbursements but also free up valuable time, money, and team resources within your practice. This allows you to focus on providing exceptional patient care while confidently knowing that your dental billing and CDT coding are handled efficiently. 

What you’ll experience when you put your trust in eAssist:

• Peace of mind in knowing that your A/R is being worked consistently
• Accountability in reporting to the practice owner and your in-house team
• Dedicated billing support and follow-up for denials and rejections
• Collecting what you’re rightfully owed
• A support system that helps your team, not replaces them

The platform suite with the CDT knowledge you need

eAssist Dental Solutions is your one-stop shop for almost every aspect of revenue cycle management. We’re serious about providing you with industry-leading dental billing processes and solutions customized to the needs of your practice. Whether you’re just getting started in dentistry or are a veteran specialty dentist, your peace of mind is our priority. By putting your insurance billing on autopilot, you can rest easy. Plus, we offer brand promises and the transparency of accountability that you deserve.

But wait…there’s more!

Practice Booster’s online Code Advisor is included in your dental billing service. This resource allows your practice and team of eAssist dental billers access to the industry’s leading coding resource, opening the door to legitimate reimbursement and risk reduction. Sending clean claims with the correct CDT codes keeps revenue consistent and minimizes claim delays. Schedule a consultation today and tell us where you want to see your practice in the upcoming year.

Disclaimer: Insurance administration and dental billing recommendations presented here represent the opinions of the author or our staff and are for informational purposes only. You are responsible for your own use of the CDT Codes, insurance administration, and dental billing. For the latest CDT codes and official interpretations, contact the American Dental Association or visit ADA.org.