Workers’ compensation in dental practice sits at the intersection of clinical care, documentation, coding, and law. In this episode of Smile Sessions with Dr. Tony, we walk through everything dental professionals need to know to navigate work-related injuries — from the moment a patient walks in, through to claim approval and reimbursement.

Dr. Tony brings over a decade of clinical practice in orthodontics, implants, restoratives, and cosmetics, and knows the common pitfalls and essential best practices for handling occupational dental injuries. If you’re a dentist, office administrator, or team member involved in patient care or claim management — this episode is for you.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to assess injuries in workers’ comp cases: documenting mechanism, location, radiographs, and achieving a strong occupational nexus.
• ICD-10 & CDT coding specifics for fractures, luxations, avulsions, and tooth loss — plus how to pair them with external cause codes to support claims.
• Key claim filing steps in Illinois (as a primary example) including statutes, timelines, and reimbursement for restorative procedures.
• The lien process when reimbursements stall; state comparisons; tips for protecting your practice financially and legally.
• What patients need to know: reporting promptly, what entitlements you may have, and how to follow up care to avoid complications.

Why This Matters:
Dental injuries that happen on the job often involve more than just the treatment — the paperwork, coding, and claim process can make or break coverage. Accurate documentation and understanding state laws protect both patients and practices from denials, delays, or unexpected costs.

For Patients and Further Reference:
If you want to see how Archer Dental approaches workers’ compensation dentistry, including their policies and patient support, visit:
Workers’ Comp Dentistry at Archer Dental
Who Should Tune In:

• Dentists managing work-related trauma
• Office admins handling billing, coding, and claims
• Patients with workplace dental injuries
• All dental team members who want to streamline operations and ensure fair outcomes