title: A coding solution for supernumerary teeth.
abstract: In South Africa payments for treatment rendered are routinely delayed because of the medical fund industry's apparent inability to capture codes denoting supernumerary teeth. The suggested protocol allows for up to 13 supernumerary teeth to be identified by two digits. Meetings planned between SADA and key funding stakeholders to "ensure that protocols related to tooth numbering are acceptable", provide the ideal opportunity to introduce the suggested two-digit protocol for numbering supernumerary teeth. If this proposal is implemented, it could alleviate the frustration associated with the rejection of accounts where supernumerary teeth are appropriately identified.
authors.affiliation: Department of MFOS, University of the Western Cape, Tygerberg, South Africa.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: van der Westhuijzen
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Morkel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D059019:Clinical Coding; D003792:Dental Records / Q000592:standards*; D019229:Dentition, Permanent; D005568:Forms and Records Control / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007344:Insurance Claim Reporting / Q000592:standards; D007347:Insurance, Dental; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous; D014096:Tooth, Supernumerary / Q000145:classification*