I work for a general dental office, but we have a traveling oral surgery dentist that works in our office every other week. I wanted to know if a patient came in with wisdom teeth issues and the general dentist took a panorex x-ray and did an exam would they code the visit as a D0160 – Detailed exam and D0330 – panoramic film. If so, what would the specialist code for the exam they have to perform.If the specialist does the exam and performs the procedure the same day, would they be able to charge an exam fee or consultation fee?
The general dentist should be using CDT codes D0150 for the exam provided he is documenting and completing a through exam; otherwise D0140 is the most appropriate code and D0330 for the panoramic film. The specialist should bill D0160 provided an exam is "medically necessary" from the specialist and documentation is supported.