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How treatment codes can swap in Canada

πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦ CA only - Understanding Dentally's "smart" code-swapping mechanism in Canada

Written by Hebe Lowen
Updated today

Why is my treatment code being changed after I have charted it?

Some treatments can only be applied to certain types of tooth. The system will not stop you from charting such treatments to an incorrect tooth type, but in Canada we use a "smart" swapping mechanism in these instances which will correct the incorrectly charted treatment to one which is suitable.

If you select a tooth-specific treatment - such as one limited to permanent teeth - and then try to apply it to the wrong type of tooth - such as a primary tooth - it will automatically be swapped for the equivalent treatment which would be suitable for that tooth type.

Codes will be swapped automatically if the code relates to:

  • The number of surfaces

  • The dentition of a tooth being primary or permanent

  • The position of a tooth (molar/bicuspid/anterior)

You will see an amber message pop up in the top right corner, which warns you that the code you have already charted on the tooth has been automatically changed due to not being suitable. A treatment code being swapped will look something like this:

πŸ’‘ Top tip: Favourite your top treatment codes to make theme easier to find! And use the smart swapping mechanism to work more efficiently.

For example, favourite a common filling code for the material you typically use, eg 23101 a Composite Permanent Anterior 1 surface. Then use this to chart any number of surfaces for that treatment onto a tooth. The code swapping mechanism will automatically set the correct code for the number of surfaces selected. It will also swap it for the correct tooth code as well.

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