TREATMENT PLANNING CO-ORDINATION (TPC)

Designation & Accreditation

(Coming Soon)

It has become clear that a definable new role has developed for staff within the fold of those providing dental services. Recent developments in dental treatment technology and techniques have accelerated the evolving need for a specialist to co-ordinate resources with a patient and their treatment plan. Previous definitions of jobs in the field of dental services have not expanded to adequately encompass the functions of a specialist who coordinates the requirements of a patient's treatment plan with the provision of clinical staff and other resources.

Responsibilities of Treatment Planning Coordinator

Presentation using multimedia and examples to patients re: treatment options
Follow up with insurance and patient to determine final treatment plan
Transfer patient to dentist and assistant for treatment
Transfer to front desk staff for billing to insurance company and to collect co-payment
Apply fee guides & procedure codes.

Treatment Planning

Treatment options i.e. options for missing tooth are bridge vs. implant vs. partial vs. none.
options for crowding are ortho-referral, Invisalign or no treatment.
options for large restorations are crown, inlay/onlay, resin.
options for restoring endodontically treated teeth i.e post+core/crown, crown alone, resin alone.
Risks vs Benefits of each option.
ie. Consequences of partial edentulism such as crowding or over-eruption
i.e for each treatment option., such as single-tooth restoration, amalgams, resins, inlays, onlays, porcelain fused to metal crown, all-porcelain crown, no-treatment.
Can use visual aids to explain i.e. software, radiographs, study models.
Cost of each option.
total cost of each option to include estimated lab fees.

Periodontal Treatment Planning

Periodontal examinations & Screening
Active Therapy, maintenance, & recalls
Risk factor evaluation
Relation to systemic health
Risks of non-treatment

Informed consent

-i.e written or implied.
-Should include options and risk vs. benefit for each option.

Dental Terminology

Dental terms necessary to communicate with clinical staff, patients, , and insurance companies.

Pre-determinations and Follow Up- Treatment Planning Coordinator

Pre-determinations can be sent, often electronically, to determine the amount of coverage and the patient’s copayment
A log or journal can be kept of pre-determinations to follow up with patients or insurance companies

Pathology & Etiology

Caries prevention, signs of decay,
signs of periodontal disease e.g. bone loss
prevention

Payment Plans & Lines of Credit

Third-party or in-office.

Intra-oral cameras

images captured chair-side can be used for patient dmeonstrations & treatment planning, as well as pre-determinations..