Estela Vargas

Insurance
Billing and documenting CDT codes for viral microorganism cultures
Expanding the clinical hygiene practice involves teamwork between the dentist and dental hygienist. Estela Vargas, CRDH, shares guidance and billing tips for the following Current Dental Terminology codes.
September 3, 2024
Estela Vargas, CRDH.
Insurance
Dental coding tips: Reimbursement for counseling on nutrition, tobacco use, and oral hygiene care
Implementing and billing for valuable counseling services is a common challenge for dental practices. Estela Vargas, CRDH, offers advice to help you navigate these challenges.
August 6, 2024
Estela Vargas, CRDH.
Insurance
CDT codes: What you need to know about dental material fees
When getting paid for material upgrades for restoratives, prosthodontics, fixed procedures, etc., think again before you count your gold, writes Estela Vargas, CRDH.
July 22, 2024
Estela Vargas, CRDH.
Practice Management Software
3 critical reasons why your dental practice needs EHRs to stay competitive
The shift to electronic health records (EHRs) is no longer considered a trend that will go away in time. Rather, it's a necessary move toward efficiency, improved patient care, and compliance with federal regulations, writes Estela Vargas, CRDH.
July 15, 2024
Estela Vargas, CRDH.
Insurance
Will you make the 'most wanted' list for dental insurance billing fraud?
Dental insurance fraud has severe consequences for the dentist(s) and, often, the staff who help perpetrate it. Estela Vargas, CRDH, discusses various levels of fraud and some of the tactics used.
June 24, 2024
Estela Vargas, CRDH.
Insurance
CDT coding for reimbursement of biological materials for extraction sites
CDT code D7922 -- Placement of intrasocket biological dressing to aid in hemostasis -- can be one of the trickier codes for dental teams. Coding expert Estela Vargas, CRDH, offers tips to result in payer approval and reimbursement.
June 11, 2024
Estela Vargas.
Malpractice
Keeping up with the shifting standard of care in dentistry
Dental malpractice cases often hinge on whether the dentist adhered to the standard of care. Estela Vargas, CRDH, gives you a look at what that standard of care might include.
May 21, 2024
Gavel Scale Lawsuit
Insurance
Better cash flow for your dental practice with concise narratives and clinical notes
Those who routinely file dental/medical insurance claims know the importance of including a straightforward, concise narrative to increase the chances getting submitted claims paid. Estela Vargas, CRDH, offers some tips that can help your practice.
May 1, 2024
Estela Vargas, CRDH.
Insurance
What every dental practice must know about getting paid for oral cancer screenings
There is no question that oral cancer screening is important for every practice, but what about the insurance side of the equation? Estela Vargas, CRDH, has some advice that can help on that front.
April 23, 2024
Estela Vargas, CRDH.
Insurance
Documentation musts for reimbursement of scaling and root planing
Building a foundation of periodontal care for your patients includes proper documentation so that insurance plans cannot deny your claims for clinical reasons, writes Estela Vargas, CRDH.
April 8, 2024
Estela Vargas, CRDH.
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Top Stories
Alan Twigg.
Dental Assistant
Looking to hire a new dental assistant? These are the interview questions you should ask
In a new episode of "The Dental HR Podcast," Alan Twigg of Bent Ericksen & Associates discusses what to do and not to do when it comes to the hiring process for your dental practice.
Woman Dental Office Di Studio
Dental Assistant
It's a lost opportunity if you're not discussing this with women
Victoria Peterson of Productive Dentist Academy
Dental Assistant
Podcast: How dentists create and motivate the productive dental assistant
Justice Scales Courtroom
Legal Issues
Dental manager sues ex-employer for disability discrimination
Webinar: Ensuring Patient Safety (CE Credits)
Sponsor Content
Webinar: Ensuring Patient Safety (CE Credits)
More in Home
Looking to hire a new dental assistant? These are the interview questions you should ask
By Kevin Henry
In a new episode of "The Dental HR Podcast," Alan Twigg of Bent Ericksen & Associates discusses what to do and not to do when it comes to the hiring process for your dental practice.
September 14, 2024
Alan Twigg.
It's a lost opportunity if you're not discussing this with women
By Melissa Busch
If dental teams aren't discussing this with women, they may be missing a golden opportunity.
September 14, 2024
Woman Dental Office Di Studio
Podcast: How dentists create and motivate the productive dental assistant
By Kevin Henry
Our chat with Productive Dentist Academy Co-Founder and CEO Victoria Peterson reveals how some dental practices are getting the most out of their dental assistants.
September 14, 2024
Victoria Peterson of Productive Dentist Academy
Dental manager sues ex-employer for disability discrimination
By Melissa Busch
A dental office manager has filed a disability discrimination lawsuit accusing her employer of falsely firing her.
September 13, 2024
Justice Scales Courtroom
This gum disease germ may exacerbate rheumatoid arthritis
By Ava Barros
A bacteria linked to gum disease may worsen rheumatoid arthritis, according to a study published in the International Journal of Oral Science.
September 13, 2024
Arthritis Hands Fizkes
Dentist hauled off to jail for violating probation
By Melissa Busch
A dentist, who was previously sentenced for millions in Medicaid fraud, was sent to jail for violating his probation.
September 12, 2024
Jail Hands
Use of dental amalgam restorations in the U.S. plummeted 80%
By Melissa Busch
Between 2017 and 2023, dental amalgam restoration placements in U.S. patients plummeted by about 80%.
September 12, 2024
Amalgam Filling
Podcast: 1 wish for every member of the dental team for the rest of 2024
By Kevin Henry
As we head toward the fourth quarter, DrBicuspid.com's Editor-in-Chief Kevin Henry asks a dental assistant, dental hygienist, and dental office manager for their best pieces of advice.
September 12, 2024
Clockwise from top left: Emme Sanders, Dana Watson, Tija Hunter and Kevin Henry
Overcoming case acceptance challenges
By Dr. Roger P. Levin
Case acceptance is one pillar of increasing practice production, yet trying to convince patients to accept treatment -- even when it's imperative -- is challenging. Dr. Roger P. Levin provides coaching to put you and patients' concerns at ease.
September 12, 2024
Dr. Roger P. Levin.
Drug may upend gum disease, other systemic diseases
By Melissa Busch
An antibiotic may eliminate an oral cavity germ known to trigger the onset of periodontitis, indicating a potential breakthrough in disease prevention.
September 11, 2024
Antibiotics Concept 400
Patients with diabetes at increased risk of caries
By Ava Barros
Type 2 diabetes may increase the risk of caries and reduce salivary flow, pH, and buffering capacity. As such, dentists should prioritize the oral health of this population, according to a review published in the Journal of Dentistry.
September 11, 2024
Diabetes Woman Lancet
A bitter pill: Strategies for managing dysgeusia in the dental practice
By Dr. Lisa Chan, Teresa Mendoza, PharmD
Dysgeusia occurs when certain medications interact with specific taste receptors in the mouth, triggering a cascade of reactions that signal the brain to perceive bitterness. Learn about those medications.
September 11, 2024
Pills Bottle
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