In July 2023, a procedure code for physicians’ use of silver diamine fluoride (SDF)
was introduced into the American Medical Association’s (AMA) Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code set. Code 0792T is for the “application of silver diamine
fluoride 38%, by a physician or other qualified health care professional” and will be published in the CPT® 2024 manual.i It is a Category III code, meaning it represents an emerging tech- nology, service, or procedure and it is introduced primarily for data collection purposes to track usage of the service or procedure. Like other CPT codes, health insurance plans are not required to cover or pay for the service despite its inclusion in the code set.

As the early adopters of SDF, pediatric dentists have extensive experience with the medica- ment. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) aims to serve as a resource to our physician colleagues as they consider incorporating this service into their armamentarium and undergo the necessary training and referral preparation to do so. The physician-dentist interprofessional relationship will be key to successful patient co-management to effectively manage dental caries.