D-Code
A shorthand reference to any CDT (Current Dental Terminology) procedure code, which begins with the letter 'D' followed by four digits, used for dental billing and insurance claims.
Full Definition
D-codes are the alphanumeric procedure identifiers established in the ADA's Current Dental Terminology and used on all standard dental claim forms. Each code begins with 'D' followed by four digits grouped into categories (e.g., D0100–D0999 for diagnostic, D1000–D1999 for preventive). Editors proofreading insurance claims or remittance documents must verify that D-codes are formatted correctly—four digits, no spaces—and that accompanying narratives match the code description. Substituting an incorrect D-code, even inadvertently, can constitute upcoding or downcoding. The ADA updates CDT codes annually, so editors should reference the current edition.
Usage
Usage note: Always render the 'D' in uppercase followed immediately by four digits, e.g., D2740. Do not write 'D-2740' or 'd2740'.
In Context
- "Verify that every D-code on the claim form corresponds to a procedure documented in the clinical notes." — Dental billing audit checklist
- "The editor noted that D2750 (crown, porcelain fused to high noble metal) had been transcribed as D2740—a costly substitution error." — Claims review report