Dental CDT Codes
Code on Dental Procedures and Nomenclature
The American Dental Association's Code on Dental Procedures and Nomenclature used to bill dental services.
1 min read · Last reviewed May 23, 2026
At a glance
- Category
- Coding
- Acronym for
- Code on Dental Procedures and Nomenclature
- Primary sources
- 1
- Workspace handoff
- ask d3 →
Where this comes up
Coders meet this term inside the chart at the moment of code selection — picking the E/M level, attaching the right modifier, defending the procedure code against an NCCI edit, or answering an auditor who pulled the encounter for a payer-initiated review.
Full definition
What it is in practice
ADA CDT is the HIPAA-mandated dental procedure code set. Updated annually January 1.
How it shows up in your practice
Dental claims use CDT, not CPT. Medical-dental crossover billing (e.g., medically necessary oral surgery) requires understanding both code sets.
Sources
- ADA — Dental CDT Codeshttps://www.ada.org/publications/cdt
Look up CDT codes in Ask D3
Open ask d3 →Related terms
- BillingCPT (Current Procedural Terminology)The AMA-maintained code set that describes medical, surgical, and diagnostic services for billing.
- CodingICD-10-CMThe Clinical Modification of the WHO ICD-10 code set used in the United States to report diagnoses.
- CodingMedical NecessityThe standard requiring that services be reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of illness or injury or to improve the functioning of a malformed body member.
D3rx is a healthcare-billing and compliance research aid maintained by D3rx Inc. Articles are drafted by an LLM (Anthropic Claude) against primary HHS, OCR, CMS, eCFR, NIST, and state-regulator publications, and reviewed for restraint and source fidelity by the D3rx team.
Reviewer status: a named credentialed reviewer (CHC, CHPC, or healthcare attorney) is being engaged. Until that engagement is finalized, this page does not claim credentialed review.
Related across the archive
- GlossaryICD-10-CMThe Clinical Modification of the WHO ICD-10 code set used in the United States to report diagnoses.
- GlossaryMedical NecessityThe standard requiring that services be reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of illness or injury or to improve the functioning of a malformed body member.
- GlossaryCPT (Current Procedural Terminology)The AMA-maintained code set that describes medical, surgical, and diagnostic services for billing.
- GlossaryCode on Dental ProceduresThe ADA-maintained Code on Dental Procedures and Nomenclature used in dental claims.
- Billing99214 vs 99215: When to Bill Each CodeLearn the difference between 99214 and 99215: when each applies, what documentation you need, and the $40/visit revenue impact.
- BillingThe ICD-10 Codes That Get Primary Care Claims Denied (and How to Pick the Right One)I10 vs I11, E11.9 vs E11.40, Z00.00 vs Z00.01. The diagnosis coding mistakes that cause denials and how to fix them.
- Glossary99214 vs 99215The two most common established-patient office E/M levels; 99214 represents moderate complexity and 99215 high complexity.
- GlossaryCPT Category III CodesTemporary CPT codes (xxxxT) for emerging technology, services, and procedures.
This glossary entry is a research aid for billing and compliance staff. It does not provide legal, medical, or financial advice and does not replace counsel. References cited link to primary sources at HHS, OCR, CMS, eCFR, NIST, and the relevant payer or industry body.