Can you please explain D1208 vs D1206 since the new CDT 2013 Dental Revisions have been done? We see predominately Medicaid patients and Medicaid only covers D1208 but some of our providers want to bill D1206 for all visits. I need a better understanding of when it is appropriate to bill D1206 and when to bill D1208.

In the Preventive section of the CDT manual, a new procedure code was added for topical application of fluoride D1208. The nomenclature was revised for D1206 to indicate topical application of fluoride varnish. Two codes, D1203 and D1204 were deleted.

Simply put D1206 is for a varnish while D1208 is for fluoride. The appropriate code will depend on the type of fluoride being administered to the patient.