EDI: novocaine for managing your dental claims
Article Abstract:
Dentists can use electronic data interchange (EDI) technology to efficiently submit claims to insurance companies. EDI is the transmission of information between computers. After a patient receives services, the dentist can generate an electronic claim from data in the patient's record. The claim is transmitted via modem to the practice management vendor. The vendor sends the claim through an EDI network where it is reformatted to the payer's specifications and routed to the insurer. After the claim is processed, the insurer mails payment to the dentist. Nearly all large commercial insurers that provide dental insurance accept electronic claims. The cost to produce an electronic claim is $1.50 to $2.80 less than the cost of preparing and mailing a paper claim. Electronic forms save staff time and expedite reimbursement. Increasing numbers of dentists are submitting electronic claims and the overwhelming majority are satisfied with this arrangement.
Publication Name: Journal of the American Dental Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-8177
Year: 1995
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Managing patients who have seizure disorders: dental and medical issues
Article Abstract:
Most patients with seizure disorders can receive routine dental care. Patients may suffer from general seizures that affect the entire brain or partial seizures that involve a limited brain area. They may exhibit altered levels of consciousness during seizures. Most seizure disorders can be controlled with medication. Dentists should obtain a through medical history from all seizure patients and possess familiarity with anticonvulsants. The most commonly prescribed anticonvulsants are phenytoin (Dilantin) and phenobarbital. Approximately half of all patients taking phenytoin develop overgrown gum tissues. Surgical removal of excess tissue is necessary if oral function or appearance is compromised. In the event of a seizure in the dental office, the clinician should protect the patient from injury, maintain an open airway, monitor vital signs, and contact emergency medical personnel.
Publication Name: Journal of the American Dental Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-8177
Year: 1995
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Managing obstructive sleep apnea
Article Abstract:
Apnea is defined as a cessation of oronasal airflow of at least 10 seconds in duration. When it occurs 30 or more times during a 7-hour period of nocturnal sleep, it is called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and requires immediate intervention to prevent it from becoming life-threatening. Polysomnography, a technique used to diagnose OSA, records the number and duration of apneic episodes, determines the stage of sleep and oxygen saturation and observes when the patient awakens. The treatment of OSA must be based on the severity of the symptoms, the patient's medical and dental history and his or her responses to previous therapy. A prosthesis has been developed that has dramatically reduced OSA in both edentulous and dentate patients by keeping the mandible and the base of the tongue protruded to minimize or prevent airway collapse.
Publication Name: Journal of the American Dental Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-8177
Year: 1993
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