HCD Headlines 1-27-2026
- Rachael
- Jan 27
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 4
UPDATED -- February Schedule
Here we are for February. There might be another change or two that comes in, but we will address that as a full team. Ikaika will be here with us a few hours on the Mondays that Lawrence isn't here starting Monday, 2/2/26.
Procedure Code Buttons
The ortho buttons within our Procedure Code Button setup has changed.
The first button is a new button we added per our discussion at the last team meeting. It is a multi-code to use for patients doing ortho in-office. It has all the necessary codes except for multiple periodic ortho exams. This is how it should look for visit order:
The 2nd button is another multi-code that will give you 7 periodic ortho exams. This should be used once the patient's ortho plan has been received from SureSmile. Enter as many periodic exams as needed and order them accordingly in their treatment plan.
The 3rd button is Adult Ortho treatment only. There is a green "R" on the smile as we would use this button if we're referring them to the orthodontist.
The 4th button is Child (Teen) Ortho treatment only. It also as a green "R" as it's meant to be used as a referral shortcut.
You will have to refresh your Procedure Code Button setup for it to show up. Here's how you do it:
Patient Chart
Setup
Procedure Code Buttons
Button Set: Select "HCD Clinic"
Close
Johari's Window on Reality
Thank you again, Lauren, for setting up this meeting with Greg from Cornerstone. I loved learning about Johari's Window on Reality. Click on the image to find a great explanation on how this idea works. What did you think about this tool? How do you see yourself implementing this in your life at work and at home?
Here's even more information on JWoR if you're interested in learning more.
HCD Football Squares
Thank you to Jillian for getting us started with football squares for this Super Bowl! You can find the video she shared with us in the image below.
The Super Bowl is on Sunday, February 8th. Let's close the squares on February 5th to ensure there's enough time to sort out numbers before the weekend. The money will be collected at the front desk. Each square is $5.00.
Upcoming CE for Hygiene with the ADHA - 3/21/2026
Integrative, Holistic Care
This article just came out in the RDH Magazine regarding integrative care as clinicians. It is pertinent to our mission and to the myofunctional information DAW presented to us at the team meeting. Learn/read more HERE.
Periodontal Maintenance & Prophy
One of the goals for the hygiene department is creating and implementing a perio program. This is information I found in the ADA coding book that will be useful in regards to moving patients between prophy and perio maintenance codes. A narrative for prophy would be necessary when a patient has periodontal disease and must stay as a perio patient. Let me know your thoughts on this from the ADA:
TEXT:
Clinical Coding Scenario #11:
Periodontal Maintenance Therapy and Prophylaxis Visits
Following either surgical or non-surgical periodontal therapy, the patient is
placed by the treating dentist on a program of scheduled periodic periodontal
maintenance (D4910) visits, which could be at various intervals (e.g, 2, 3, 4, or 6
months) depending on the patient's clinical condition. The D4910 periodontal
maintenance procedure includes removal of bacterial plaque and calculus
(mineralized deposits) from subgingival and supragingival tooth surfaces, site-
specific scaling and root planing, and coronal tooth polishing. Between these
scheduled periodontal maintenance visits, the patient is also seen by the
dentist for routine dental prophylaxis (tooth cleaning procedures)
May the dentist code and bill for the prophylaxis procedure (D1110
or D1120) or is this prohibited as a duplication of existing services
under D4910?
Nothing in the D4910 or the D1110 (or D1120) code nomenclatures
or descriptors make these procedures mutually exclusive. If the dentist
determines that the patient's periodontal health can be augmented with
periodic routine prophylaxis procedures (removal of plaque, calculus, and
stains from the tooth structures for the purpose of controlling local irritational
factors), then this service should be performed and reported as D1110 or
D1120, depending on the state of the dentition.
Does it make any difference if the reporting dentist for prophylaxis
(D1110 or D1120) is the same dentist providing periodontal
maintenance (D4910)?
No. The dentist should code and report for the services provided regardless
of the provision of other services by the same or a different dentist
Will both procedures be reimbursed by the patient's dental benefit
carrier?
Reimbursement will depend upon the dental benefit plan language and the
contractual policies governing covered benefits,
UPDATE -- HCD Biopsy Lab
These are the current labs recommended by Tufts:
This is the lab recommended by Dr. Nordstrom:
Providence Hospital
If you recognize any of the labs above for better or worse, please speak with the doctors. Otherwise, we will find out which one will work best for our office by trying them out. We have supplies for PhenoPath and Strata coming in soon.
Let's hear about your favorite thing about snow today in your response to your team today. Hope you're all staying safe on the crazy roads!
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