Details

<p>List of contributors, ix</p> <p>Preface, xi</p> <p>Acknowledgments, xv</p> <p><b>Part I: History of Dental Insurance, 1</b></p> <p>1 Why dental benefits?, 3<br /><i>Michael M. Okuji</i></p> <p>2 Dental benefits: Get it done, 21<br /><i>Michael M. Okuji</i></p> <p>3 Dental benefits: Get it right, 47<br /><i>Michael M. Okuji</i></p> <p><b>Part II: Dental Claim System, 69</b></p> <p>4 Patient?]centered practice, 71<br /><i>David Okuji</i></p> <p>5 Streamlined dental practice, 93<br /><i>Michael M. Okuji & Dennis Lewis</i></p> <p>6 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, 109<br /><i>Michael M. Okuji & David Okuji</i></p> <p><b>Part III: Competitive Strategies, 127</b></p> <p>7 Ethics and ethical behavior, 129<br /><i>Gary Herman</i></p> <p>8 Stay out of trouble, 147<br /><i>Matthew Cassady</i></p> <p>9 Analysis to action, 169<br />Michael M. Okuji</p> <p>Index, 195</p>

<p><b>Michael Okuji</b>, DDS, MPH, MBA, is the Dental Director at Delta Dental of Colorado. Prior to working for Delta Dental, Dr. Okuji maintained a solo private dental practice for 35 years in San Francisco. He was also an Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Southern California, Ostrow School of Dentistry and a Group Practice Director at the UCLA School of Dentistry. He lectures on insurance issues and practice management. Dr. Okuji is the author of the book <i>Dental Practice: Get in the Game</i>.</p>

<p><i>Dental Benefits and Practice Management: A Guide for Successful Practices</i> is a practical tool that helps you manage your office in tune with the realities of modern dental practice.</p> <p>The early focus of the text is on dental insurance and payments. Chapters are devoted to the history of dental benefits and current benefit products; what the procedure codes are and how they are used; processing guidelines and denied and disapproved claim appeals; and streamlined processing, including pre-determination, coordination of benefits, and more. This segues into the second half of the text, which discusses ways to keep your practice patient-centered and out of legal trouble. Topics addressed are office processes and patient communication, risk management, recordkeeping and compliance, avoiding fraud and abuse, and the ethics of dental practice. Also explained are considerations for quality of care and how the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act impacts dental benefits and access to dental care. The text concludes with strategies for dentists and organizations to become competitive in the “new normal” for dental care delivery. Appendices include sample forms, appeal and narrative sample, and a guide to risk management.</p>

US