What is Debridement?
In my reference book, the “Dental Insurance Coding Handbook” – updated for the ADA CDT-2005 – a D4355-Full Mouth Debridement to Enable Comprehensive Evaluation and Diagnosis is described by the ADA as: “The gross removal of plaque and calculus that interfere with the ability of the dentist to perform a comprehensive oral evaluation. This preliminary procedure does not preclude the need for additional procedures.” Dentists, staff, and patients typically have many questions regarding this code. When should this code be utilized and how do patient insurance contracts typically provide for payment? How do staff members explain to patients the difference between a “regular” cleaning (D1110-Adult Prophylaxis) and a Debridement (D4355)? What can staff say to patients who are upset about the costs associated with a debridement? When should this code be utilized and how will insurance pay? • Because the code title indicates the patient has presented with deposits so elaborate that a comprehensi
Debridement is a medical procedure in which dead, infected tissue is cut away from a wound to expose healthy living tissue. It is an important step in the treatment of many injuries, since it can be difficult to assess the severity of an injury until the dead skin has been cut away. Debridement is also crucial in the treatment of necrosis, along with infected wounds and ulcers, since it prevents the spread of infection and promotes healing. There are a number of ways to accomplish debridement, from using the body’s own ability to digest dead tissue to scalpeling away dead flesh. Before debridement can take place, the patient is typically stabilized and his or her general health is assessed. The wound is flushed with a mild saline solution to remove loose foreign material in the wound and to promote a sterile environment, and a mild anesthetic may be offered as well, because debridement can be painful. The nurse, doctor, or medical technician doing the debridement will also collect the
