Katrina Sanders, RDH, BSDH, M.Ed, RF 

Subject: Periodontics
Primary Audience(s): Hygienist
Additional Audience(s): Dentist, EFDA/Dental Assistant, Front Office

CE Credits: 1.5

Ramifications of an inadequate periodontal diagnosis lead to diseased patients, financially unproductive practices and of greatest concern: legal action via negligence.

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 RDH, M.Ed authored a textbook which is used in dental hygiene schools to teach the foundational details behind periodontal diagnostics and coding. This course walks the dental billing team through effective coding techniques to best enable insurance coverage.

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.

Learning Objectives

• Review 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.
• Explore future trends of periodontal classification as discussed by the American Academy of Periodontology.

A clinical dental hygienist, author and international speaker, Katrina is an award-winning educator with a unique approach to delivering continuing dental education. As the Clinical Liaison for AZPerio, Katrina instructs on collaborative professionalism and standard of care protocols. Katrina is the founder of Sanders Board Preparatory and is a published author with several periodicals. Her philanthropic efforts include dental humanitarian work, supporting abused and homeless animals and spreading awareness about the benefits of organ and tissue donation.