Your CDT Code Playbook - Sep 15, 2026

We’re answering your most frequently asked CDT Code questions and covering the key changes coming in 2027 to help you navigate CDT codes with confidence.
For more information, show notes and transcripts visit https://www.ada.org/podcast

• Featured Guest: Dr. Shelley Barker Olson

Show Notes

• In this episode, we’re answering your most frequently asked CDT Code questions, and covering the key changes coming in 2027 to help you navigate CDT codes with confidence.
• Our guest for this episode is Dr. Shelley Olson. Dr. Olson received her DDS degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry. While at UNC she was President of the American Association of Women Dentists. Since receiving her degree, Dr. Olson has been in private practice, active in her community, and served in elected offices of local, district, state and national dental societies. Additionally, she is actively working with the North Carolina Dental Society as President and the American Dental Association as Chair of the Council on Dental Benefits Programming.
• Coding plays a critical role in every dental practice. The conversation begins with a CDT code primer, exploring what CDT codes are, why they matter, and some key concepts every dental professional should understand.
• More than just a billing tool, CDT codes serve as a standardized language that helps dentists, dental benefit plans, and other professionals communicate consistently about procedures and services.
• Dr. Olson explains why CDT codes change from year to year, and how the Code Maintenance Committee reviews new code requests. The conversation covers the criteria used to determine whether proposals are added, and the role dental professionals can play in the submission process.
• The group discusses CDT Code updates for 2027 that are expected to have the greatest impact on everyday clinical practice. The conversation highlights updates to implant-related codes, the addition of new pain management codes, and efforts to address gaps to better reflect current procedures and patient care.
• Dr. Olson shared practical advice for navigating some of the most common CDT coding challenges faced by dentists. Some of these include frequent coding errors, including those involving nightguards and extractions, and she offers insights to help improve coding accuracy, documentation and claim submissions.
• Dentists are told “code for what you do”, but what if your claim still gets denied? Dr. Olson explains how to navigate claim denials, and shares what you should do when this happens.
• Even for practices that are not participating with dental insurance plans, accurate CDT coding is essential, Dr. Olson says, because codes are a standardized record of care, they support clear documentation and help ensure clear continuity of care if patients transfer between providers.
• The conversation addresses some of the most frequently asked questions about CDT coding, including documentation requirements for scaling and planing. The discussion also explores what dentists can do when they identify a gap in the CDT codes.
• One of the biggest takeaways from this episode is that dentists can play an active role in the evolution of the CDT Code guides. Dr. Olson explains how dental professionals can participate in the code maintenance process, learn more about the ADA Code Maintenance Committee, and contribute ideas that help ensure CDT codes continue to reflect the needs of today’s dental practices.

Resources

Get answers to some of the most frequently asked CDT questions.

Need CDT support? ADA can help! Free coding assistance is available to all ADA members, plus any non-member who has purchased the current manual. Please contact ADA at 800.621.8099 or dentalcode@ada.org.

Did you know 67 changes are coming to the CDT Code in 2027? Order your new CDT 2027 and Coding Companion Kit.

Learn more about the ADA’s Code Maintenance Committee.

Need to request a CDT Code addition, revision, or deletion? Find out how here.

See how the ADA is pursuing insurance and benefits reforms that improve how dental care is financed and administered for all.

Explore ADA Continuing Education courses to ensure your dental team understands CDT codes and how to use them correctly.

ADA members get discounts! Not an ADA member yet? Join the ADA to get access to these resources and more. Visit ADA.org/join to get started.

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