What's missing? Oral cancer screenings as part of comprehensive exams
Kathy Forbes, dental coding expert, discusses the fact that many dental offices are not performing oral cancer screenings as part of their comprehensive exams. When dental hygiene appointment times are decreased, oral cancer screenings are often dropped.
Kathy tells the story that from 2012 until recently, she had to find new dentists in a few states as she moved around. She was told there would be a comprehensive oral exam that included a head neck exam. None of the offices she chose actually came through on that promise, and she found this disturbing, especially with oral cancer on the rise.
This is not good for patients, but also not good for dental health-care workers, who owe it to their patients to provide the best care possible.
Hear what else Kathy and I discuss, including some coding tips.
About the Author
Kathy S. Forbes, BS, RDH, FADHA
Kathy has more than 40 years of experience as a clinician, educator, speaker, author, and consultant. Known for turning complex coding topics into clear, practical insights, she helps dental teams connect accurate documentation and coding with quality patient care. Kathy serves as chair of the ADHA’s new coding committee after serving as a director for the DentalCodeology Consortium for seven years reviewing and developing dental hygiene-related procedure codes. She presents testimony annually to the ADA’s code maintenance committee. Reach her at [email protected].
Jackie Sanders, MBA, RDH
Chief Editor, RDH magazine
Jackie Sanders, MBA, RDH, is a respected dental industry leader with more than 40 years of experience in dental hygiene, marketing, and professional relations. As chief editor of RDH, she is dedicated to advancing the dental profession through education, innovation, and collaboration. Prior to this role, she served as manager of professional relations and communications for Sunstar/GUM, building strong connections with industry associations, educational institutions, and dental professionals nationwide. Jackie has also contributed her expertise through committee service with organizations including the American Dental Education Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.