D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 22, r. 22-B10803

Current through Register Vol. 71, No. 49, December 6, 2024
Rule 22-B10803 - RECOMMENDATION ON ADMINISTRATIVELY REQUIRED DENTAL X-RAY EXAMINATIONS
10803.1

The Department recommends that dental x-ray examinations be performed only after careful consideration of the dental or other health needs of the patient, that is, when the patient's dentist or physician judges them to be necessary for diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of disease. Administratively required dental x-ray examinations are those required by a remote third party for reasons not related to the patient's immediate dental needs. These x-ray examinations are usually a source of unnecessary radiation exposure to the patient. Because any unnecessary radiation exposure should be avoided, third parties should not require dental x-ray examinations unless they can demonstrate that such examinations provide a direct clinical benefit to the patient, and the patient's dentist or physician agrees with that assessment.

10803.2

Some examples of administrative x-ray examinations that should not be required by third parties are those intended solely:

(a) To monitor insurance claims or detect fraud;
(b) To satisfy a prerequisite for reimbursement;
(c) To provide training or experience; or
(d) To certify qualifications or competence.
10803.3

This recommendation is not intended to preclude dental x-ray examinations ordered by the attending practitioner, based on the patient's history or physical examination, or those performed on selected populations shown to have significant yields of previously undiagnosed disease. This recommendation is also not intended to preclude the administrative use by third parties of dental radiographs that are taken on the order of the patient's dentist or physician as a necessary part of the patient's clinical care.

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 22, r. 22-B10803

Final Rulemaking published at 60 DCR 10252 (July 12, 2013)
Authority: Section 19(a)(3) of the District of Columbia Pharmacist and Pharmacy Regulation Act of 1980, effective September 16, 1980 (D.C. Law 3-98; D.C. Official Code § 47-2885.18(a)(3) (2005 Repl.)); Mayor's Order 98-48, dated April 15, 1998; Section 4902 of the Fiscal Year 2002 Budget Support Act of 2001, effective October 3, 2001 (D.C. Law 14-28; D.C. Official Code § 7-731 (2008 Repl.)); Section 15 of the District of Columbia Medical Device Manufacture and Distribution Licensure Act of 1990, effective June 13, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-137; D.C. Official Code § 48-714(a) (2005 Repl.)); and Mayor's Order 98-88, dated May 29, 1998.