To begin, go to Setup - Procedure Codes - Explosion Codes.
- The explosion codes found under this setup menu include all available explosion codes for the organization, but the availability of the explosion codes is controlled under Setup - Offices - Office Assignment.
- This controls which explosion codes are available in each OID.
Explosion codes are a series of codes that are typically done in conjunction with one another. Creating and using explosion codes will help reduce the amount of time spent entering treatment plan items.
- The first sections to complete ask for the ‘Explosion Code Description’, which will be the title of the explosion code when viewed in the list, the ‘Explosion Code Short Description’, which requires the user to enter a description with no spaces.
- The next question is ‘Default Same Tooth For All Procedures’. This is to be used if the codes entered will all share the same tooth number.
- For example, an explosion code for an implant placement may include codes for the implant placement, the implant abutment, and the implant crown. In this case, since all procedures listed for this explosion code will be added for a single tooth, the default should be checked. But for a three-unit bridge, the tooth numbers will differ between the three different procedure codes so the default should not be checked.
- Once the description, short description and defaults have been entered, the procedures that will be listed in the code should be selected next.
- Use the dropdown menu for the ‘Procedure Category’ to find the ADA code category, then select the desired code and click the ‘Add’ button to add it to the explosion code.
- Repeat these steps until all codes have been entered. Once all of the codes have been entered, there is a way to reorder the code list if desired.
- Use the buttons on the side of the screen to move the list of codes into the desired order.
- Before finalizing and saving, decide if this new code should be added to all offices. If the code is not added to all offices at the time of creating the code, adjust the availability in the office assignment screen, Setup - Offices - Office Assignment.
- The tooth number for an explosion code can also be defaulted if it is always the same tooth number or always the same quadrant.
- In this example for an explosion code for sealants on the second permanent molar, the tooth number for the second molars is known and can be pre-defined so the user is not required to choose the teeth numbers at the time of entry.
Using the Explosion Code
- In the patient’s treatment plan, select the desired explosion code and click ‘Go’.
- If the explosion code requires a tooth number or surface, a pop-up will appear for the user to enter the missing information.
- In this case, because this explosion code will default to the same tooth number, as soon as the tooth number is entered on one line, it will be copied to the remaining lines.
- Once entered, the remaining pieces of information will display. Click ‘Save’ to add to the treatment plan.