Use this list to compare aspects of a QA review with your practice's policies and procedures, and be even better prepared for a future on-site QA review.

Sample questions and note taking material for use during an interview with a potential Dental Assistant candidate. 

Questions the practice owner should consider before hiring a new dental assistant for on-the-job and online training. 

CDA has developed interview questions for members to assess their need for a new dental assistant,

Summarizes allowed duties and educational requirement for all dental assisting categories.  

In this article you will learn how to weigh the costs before you sign a dental benefit participating provider agreement/contract.

Overview of the types of dental coverage and the differences between dental and medical coverage, in order to aid dentists in explaining dental coverage to patients.

Defines the types of plans to consider for your practice, contracting & contract analysis, billing & how to establish fees and more.

Tips for verifying coverage with a patient's plan and providing explanation to help patients interpret benefits, limitations, exclusions, financial responsibility and how to maximize coverage.

Understanding plan policies for coordinating payment of benefits when enrollees or policyholders have more than one dental benefit policy. Explanation of CA law pertaining to coordination of benefits.

Help patients understand the relationship the practice holds with plans; overview of: in network, out of network, pre-authorization, predetermination, discounts, dual coverage and claims.

Common reasons for claim delays and denials; correct use of procedure codes, Tax Identification (TIN) and National Provider Identification (NPI); practice’s fee schedule and radiographic image attachments; electronic claim (E-Claim) filing.

Learn cross-coding: billing medical insurance in a dental office; how to select the correct CPT code and ICD-10 codes when billing medical plans.

Understand the elements of the Explanation of Benefits and what to look for.

Learn about your rights and actions you must take when dealing with refund demands made by dental benefit plans.

California law requires every dental plan to have a formal procedure that providers can use to dispute/challenge actions/decisions made by the plan. Overview of plan legal requirements, steps to appealing claims, filing a payment disputes.

Understanding dental plan authority in quality assurance assessment audits, requirements for the dental practice and best practices for patient records. 

This resource may be shared with patients to address some of the common questions about dental coverage and where to go when they are experiencing challenges with their dental plan. 

Must be accessible to public view on the premises where dental services are provided. Required information must be in at least 48-point type.

Copy of California Code of Regulations Title 16 Section 1005, which require written protocols for instrument processing, operatory cleanliness, and injury management. Updated Sept 2011.

Form designed for a provider who wishes to collect more in-depth dental health history that is not covered on the Confidential Health History Form, as well as assess the patient’s oral health and/or cosmetic concerns.

When starting a new business one of the first things to consider is a business structure. Legally, your business structure options include sole proprietorship, general partnership, limited partnership, and corporation.

Dental practices must provide a copy of the Dental Board-approved Dental Materials Fact Sheet to a patient or guardian at least once prior to performing a restorative procedure on that patient.

A table of options for managing medical, hazardous, and universal wastes and a list of mail-back medical waste vendors.

Dental credentialing is the first step in is the process of a dentist entering into a contract with a dental benefit / insurance carrier. Learn more about it in this section of the resource.