ICD-9 Code V72.2
Dental examination
Not Valid for Submission
V72.2 is a legacy non-billable code used to specify a medical diagnosis of dental examination. This code was replaced on September 30, 2015 by its ICD-10 equivalent.
| ICD-9: | V72.2 |
| Short Description: | Dental examination |
| Long Description: | Dental examination |
Convert V72.2 to ICD-10
The following crosswalk between ICD-9 to ICD-10 is based based on the General Equivalence Mappings (GEMS) information:
Code Classification
-
Supplementary classification of factors influencing health status and contact with health services (E)
-
Persons without reported diagnosis encountered during examination and investigation of individuals and populations (V70-V82)
- V72 Special investigations and examinations
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Persons without reported diagnosis encountered during examination and investigation of individuals and populations (V70-V82)
Information for Medical Professionals
Index to Diseases and Injuries
References found for the code V72.2 in the Index of Diseases and Injuries:
- Admission encounter
- for
- examination SEE ALSO
See Also
A “see also” instruction following a main term in the index instructs that there is another main term that may also be referenced that may provide additional index entries that may be useful. It is not necessary to follow the “see also” note when the original main term provides the necessary code. Examination V70.9- dental V72.2
- examination SEE ALSO
- for
- Dental SEE ALSO See Also
A “see also” instruction following a main term in the index instructs that there is another main term that may also be referenced that may provide additional index entries that may be useful. It is not necessary to follow the “see also” note when the original main term provides the necessary code. condition- examination only V72.2
- Examination general routine of for V70.9
- dental V72.2
- teeth V72.2
Information for Patients
Dental Exam
What is a dental exam?
A dental exam is a checkup of your teeth and gums. Most children and adults should get a dental exam every six months. These exams are important for protecting oral health. Oral health problems can become serious and painful if not treated promptly.
Dental exams are usually performed by both a dentist and a dental hygienist. A dentist is a doctor specially trained to care for teeth and gums. A dental hygienist is a health care professional trained to clean teeth and help patients maintain good oral health habits. Although dentists can treat people of all ages, children often go to pediatric dentists. Pediatric dentists are dentists who have received additional training to focus on dental care for children.
Other names: dental checkup, oral exam
What is it used for?
Dental exams are used to help find tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health problems early, when they're easier to treat. The exams are also used to help educate people on the best ways to care for their teeth and gums.
Why do I need a dental exam?
Most adults and children should get a dental exam every six months. If you have swollen, bleeding gums (known as gingivitis) or other gum disease, your dentist may want to see you more often. Some adults with gum disease may see a dentist three or four times a year. More frequent exams may help prevent a serious gum disease known as periodontitis. Periodontitis can lead to infection and tooth loss.
Babies should have their first dental appointment within six months of getting their first tooth, or by 12 months of age. After that, they should get an exam every six months, or according to the recommendation of your child's dentist. Also, your child may need to have more frequent visits if the dentist finds a problem with tooth development or another oral health issue.
What happens during a dental exam?
A typical dental exam will include a cleaning by a hygienist, x-rays on certain visits, and a checkup of your mouth by the dentist.
During a cleaning:
- You or your child will sit in a large chair. A bright overhead light will shine above you. The hygienist will clean your teeth using small, metal dental tools. He or she will scrape your teeth to remove plaque and tartar. Plaque is a sticky film that contains bacteria and coats teeth. If plaque builds up on teeth, it turns into tartar, a hard mineral deposit that can get trapped at the bottom of teeth.
- The hygienist will floss your teeth.
- He or she will brush your teeth, using a special electric toothbrush.
- He or she may then apply a fluoride gel or foam to your teeth. Fluoride is a mineral that prevents tooth decay. Tooth decay can lead to cavities. Fluoride treatments are given to children more often than to adults.
- The hygienist or dentist may give you tips on how to care for your teeth, including proper brushing and flossing techniques.
Dental x-rays are images that can show cavities, gum disease, bone loss, and other problems that can't be seen by just looking at the mouth.
During an x-ray, the dentist or hygienist will:
- Place a thick covering, called a lead apron, over your chest. You may get an additional covering for your neck to protect your thyroid gland. These coverings protect the rest of your body from radiation.
- Have you bite down on a small piece of plastic.
- Place a scanner outside your mouth. He or she will take a picture, while standing behind a protective shield or other area.
- For certain types of x-rays, you will repeat this process, biting down in different areas of your mouth, as instructed by the dentist or hygienist.
There are different types of dental x-rays. A type called a full-mouth series may be taken once every few years to check your overall oral health. Another type, called bitewing x-rays, may be used more often to check for cavities or other tooth problems.
During the dentist's checkup, the dentist will:
- Check your x-rays, if you've had them, for cavities or other problems.
- Look at your teeth and gums to see if they are healthy.
- Check the bite (the way the top and bottom teeth fit together). If there is a bite problem, you may be referred to an orthodontist.
- Check for oral cancer. This includes feeling under your jaw, checking the insides of your lips, the sides of your tongue, and on the roof and floor of your mouth.
In addition to the above checks, a pediatric dentist may check to see if your child's teeth are developing normally.
Will I need to do anything to prepare for a dental exam?
If you have certain health conditions, you may need to take antibiotics before your exam. These conditions include:
- Heart problems
- Immune system disorders
- Recent surgery
If you're not sure whether you need to take antibiotics, talk to your dentist and/or other health care provider.
Also, some people feel anxious about going to the dentist. If you or your child feels this way, you may want to talk to the dentist beforehand. He or she may be able to help you or your child feel more relaxed and comfortable during the exam.
Are there any risks to a dental exam?
There is very little risk to having a dental exam. The cleaning may be uncomfortable, but it is not usually painful.
Dental x-rays are safe for most people. The dose of radiation in an x-ray is very low. But x-rays are not usually recommended for pregnant women, unless it's an emergency. Be sure to tell your dentist if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant.
What do the results mean?
Results may include one or more of the following conditions:
- A cavity
- Gingivitis or other gum problems
- Bone loss or tooth development problems
If results show that you or your child has a cavity, you probably will need to make another appointment with the dentist to treat it. If you have questions about how cavities are treated, talk to the dentist.
If results show that you have gingivitis or other gum problems, your dentist may recommend:
- Improving your brushing and flossing habits.
- More frequent dental cleanings and/or dental exams.
- Using a medicated mouth rinse.
- That you see a periodontist, a specialist in diagnosing and treating gum disease.
If bone loss or tooth development problems are found, you may need more tests and/or dental treatments.
Is there anything else I need to know about a dental exam?
To keep your mouth healthy, you'll need to take good care of your teeth and gums, both by having regular dental exams and practicing good dental habits at home. Good home oral care includes the following steps:
- Brush your teeth twice a day using a soft-bristled brush. Brush for about two minutes.
- Use a toothpaste that has fluoride. Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay and cavities.
- Floss at least once a day. Flossing removes plaque, which can damage teeth and gums.
- Replace your toothbrush every three or four months.
- Eat a healthy diet, avoiding or limiting sweets and sugary drinks. If you do eat or drink sweets, brush your teeth soon after.
- Don't smoke. Smokers have more oral health problems than nonsmokers.
References
- HealthyChildren.org [Internet]. Itaska (IL): American Academy of Pediatrics; c2019. What is a Pediatric Dentist?; [updated 2016 Feb 10; cited 2019 Mar 17]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/health-management/pediatric-specialists/Pages/What-is-a-Pediatric-Dentist.aspx
- America's Pediatric Dentists [Internet]. Chicago: American Academy of Pediatric Dentists; c2019. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ); [cited 2019 Mar 17]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: https://www.aapd.org/resources/parent/faq
- Kids Health from Nemours [Internet]. Jacksonville (FL): The Nemours Foundation; c1995–2019. Going to the Dentist; [cited 2019 Mar 17]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/go-dentist.html
- Mayo Clinic [Internet]. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; c1998–2019. Dental Exam: About; 2018 Jan 16 [cited 2019 Mar 17]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/dental-exam/about/pac-20393728
- Mayo Clinic [Internet]. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; c1998–2019. Gingivitis: Symptoms and causes; 2017 Aug 4 [cited 2019 Mar 17]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gingivitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354453
- National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Gum Disease; [cited 2019 Mar 17]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/gum-disease/more-info
- Radiology Info.org [Internet]. Radiological Society of North America, Inc.; c2019. Panoramic Dental X-ray; [cited 2019 Mar 17]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=panoramic-xray
- UF Health: University of Florida Health [Internet]. Gainesville (FL): University of Florida Health; c2019. Dental care-adult: Overview; [updated 2019 Mar 17; cited 2019 Mar 17]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: https://ufhealth.org/dental-care-adult
- UF Health: University of Florida Health [Internet]. Gainesville (FL): University of Florida Health; c2019. Gingivitis: Overview; [updated 2019 Mar 17; cited 2019 Mar 17]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: https://ufhealth.org/gingivitis
- University of Rochester Medical Center [Internet]. Rochester (NY): University of Rochester Medical Center; c2019. Health Encyclopedia: A Child's First Dental Visit Fact Sheet; [cited 2019 Mar 17]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=1&contentid=1509
- UW Health [Internet]. Madison (WI): University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority; c2019. Health Information: Basic Dental Care: Topic Overview; [updated 2018 Mar 28; cited 2019 Mar 17]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: https://www.uwhealth.org/health/topic/special/basic-dental-care/hw144414.html#hw144416
- UW Health [Internet]. Madison (WI): University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority; c2019. Health Information: Dental Checkups for Children and Adults: Topic Overview; [updated 2018 Mar 28; cited 2019 Mar 17]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: https://www.uwhealth.org/health/topic/special/dental-checkups-for-children-and-adults/tc4059.html
- UW Health [Internet]. Madison (WI): University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority; c2019. Health Information: Dental X-Rays: How It Is Done; [updated 2018 Mar 28; cited 2019 Mar 17]; [about 5 screens]. Available from: https://www.uwhealth.org/health/topic/medicaltest/x-rays/hw211991.html#aa15351
- UW Health [Internet]. Madison (WI): University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority; c2019. Health Information: Dental X-Rays: Test Overview; [updated 2018 Mar 28; cited 2019 Mar 17]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: https://www.uwhealth.org/health/topic/medicaltest/x-rays/hw211991.html#hw211994
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ICD-9 Footnotes
General Equivalence Map Definitions
The ICD-9 and ICD-10 GEMs are used to facilitate linking between the diagnosis codes in ICD-9-CM and the new ICD-10-CM code set. The GEMs are the raw material from which providers, health information vendors and payers can derive specific applied mappings to meet their needs.
- Approximate Flag - The approximate flag is on, indicating that the relationship between the code in the source system and the code in the target system is an approximate equivalent.
- No Map Flag - The no map flag indicates that a code in the source system is not linked to any code in the target system.
- Combination Flag - The combination flag indicates that more than one code in the target system is required to satisfy the full equivalent meaning of a code in the source system.
Index of Diseases and Injuries Definitions
- And - The word "and" should be interpreted to mean either "and" or "or" when it appears in a title.
- Code also note - A "code also" note instructs that two codes may be required to fully describe a condition, but this note does not provide sequencing direction.
- Code first - Certain conditions have both an underlying etiology and multiple body system manifestations due to the underlying etiology. For such conditions, the ICD-10-CM has a coding convention that requires the underlying condition be sequenced first followed by the manifestation. Wherever such a combination exists, there is a "use additional code" note at the etiology code, and a "code first" note at the manifestation code. These instructional notes indicate the proper sequencing order of the codes, etiology followed by manifestation.
- Type 1 Excludes Notes - A type 1 Excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
- Type 2 Excludes Notes - A type 2 Excludes note represents "Not included here". An excludes2 note indicates that the condition excluded is not part of the condition represented by the code, but a patient may have both conditions at the same time. When an Excludes2 note appears under a code, it is acceptable to use both the code and the excluded code together, when appropriate.
- Includes Notes - This note appears immediately under a three character code title to further define, or give examples of, the content of the category.
- Inclusion terms - List of terms is included under some codes. These terms are the conditions for which that code is to be used. The terms may be synonyms of the code title, or, in the case of "other specified" codes, the terms are a list of the various conditions assigned to that code. The inclusion terms are not necessarily exhaustive. Additional terms found only in the Alphabetic Index may also be assigned to a code.
- NEC "Not elsewhere classifiable" - This abbreviation in the Alphabetic Index represents "other specified". When a specific code is not available for a condition, the Alphabetic Index directs the coder to the "other specified” code in the Tabular List.
- NOS "Not otherwise specified" - This abbreviation is the equivalent of unspecified.
- See - The "see" instruction following a main term in the Alphabetic Index indicates that another term should be referenced. It is necessary to go to the main term referenced with the "see" note to locate the correct code.
- See Also - A "see also" instruction following a main term in the Alphabetic Index instructs that there is another main term that may also be referenced that may provide additional Alphabetic Index entries that may be useful. It is not necessary to follow the "see also" note when the original main term provides the necessary code.
- 7th Characters - Certain ICD-10-CM categories have applicable 7th characters. The applicable 7th character is required for all codes within the category, or as the notes in the Tabular List instruct. The 7th character must always be the 7th character in the data field. If a code that requires a 7th character is not 6 characters, a placeholder X must be used to fill in the empty characters.
- With - The word "with" should be interpreted to mean "associated with" or "due to" when it appears in a code title, the Alphabetic Index, or an instructional note in the Tabular List. The word "with" in the Alphabetic Index is sequenced immediately following the main term, not in alphabetical order.