Failure to diagnose periodontal disease is consistently a top complaint filed with state dental boards. The first step in treating and managing a patient’s care (with maximum insurance reimbursement) is diagnosing disease accurately, ethically and comprehensively. As diagnostics continually evolve, dental providers are encouraged to put down the scaler and pick up the probe. Active and appropriate diagnosis leads to comprehensive and effective therapy. This course walks the dental provider through the nine classifications of health and disease as established by the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), as well as effective clinical decision-making in the management of each diagnosis. The struggle for appropriate diagnostics to maximize insurance coverage remains a common stress in the dental office. Katrina Sanders authored a textbook which is used in dental hygiene schools to teach the foundational details behind periodontal diagnostics and coding. We will review anatomical and clinical observations that aid in the identification of active disease, as well as the system for case types and classifying diseases. Gain guidance in coding, narrative suggestions for informed refusal, and templates for appeals to support advanced coverage by third-party payers.

---

Upon completion of this session, attendees should be able to:

• Understand clinical parameters involved in distinguishing periodontal classifications, including contrasting terms of gingival disease and periodontitis.

• Discuss the paradigm shift within the nonsurgical approach to periodontal therapy.

• List, describe and differentiate the various periodontal diseases.

• Analyze effective protocols for implementing diagnostic, preventive and periodontal codes.