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Short answer: CDT codes are the American Dental Association’s standard code set for documenting dental procedures. The ADA publishes it under the official title “Code on Dental Procedures and Nomenclature”, and its Code Maintenance Committee agrees on changes to it. “Current Dental Terminology” is the name many people search for; federal HIPAA rules name the ADA code set as the standard for dental services.
General information only, not medical, billing or legal advice. Confirm coding questions against the ADA’s own publication and your payer’s rules.
What CDT codes are, and what “Current Dental Terminology” refers to
The ADA describes its CDT publication as assuring consistency in documenting dental treatment. Its official title on the ADA website is “The Code on Dental Procedures and Nomenclature (the CDT Code).” The ADA’s page uses that title rather than “Current Dental Terminology,” so when you need to cite the code set formally, use the official title and treat the search phrase as shorthand for the same thing.
CPT is a different code set, covered in the comparison below.
Who maintains CDT and how it changes
The federal rule at 45 CFR 162.1002 describes the code set as maintained and distributed by the American Dental Association. According to the ADA’s CDT page, its Code Maintenance Committee (CMC) agrees on changes, and it holds an annual meeting. At its meeting on March 13, 2026, it agreed changes that are to be incorporated into CDT 2027, and its next meeting is March 4-5, 2027 in Chicago (ADA CDT page, checked 2026-11-01).
The ADA page also has a “Request a Change to the Code” section for requesting a code addition, revision or deletion.
CDT compared with other code sets named in HIPAA
The CMS page on HIPAA code sets lists the code sets outlined in HIPAA regulations: ICD-10, HCPCS, CPT, CDT (named there as “Code on Dental Procedures and Nomenclature”) and NDC. The federal rule at 45 CFR 162.1002 names the “Code on Dental Procedures and Nomenclature, as maintained and distributed by the American Dental Association” for dental services. The table below keeps only what those sources and the CMS HCPCS page state.
| Code set | Maintained by | What the source says it covers |
|---|---|---|
| CDT (Code on Dental Procedures and Nomenclature) | American Dental Association | Dental services (45 CFR 162.1002) |
| CPT (HCPCS Level I) | American Medical Association | Level I of HCPCS; codes are 5 numeric digits (CMS) |
| HCPCS Level II | CMS | Items and services not in CPT; one letter followed by 4 numeric digits (CMS) |
The practical consequence is a split of labour: CMS describes HCPCS Level II as covering items and services not in CPT, while the federal rule ties CDT to dental services. Payer treatment of a given dental supply is a question for the payer.
Where it matters for clinics and supply decisions
A short checklist built from the sources above:
- Take the edition from the ADA. The ADA publishes the code set and its Code Maintenance Committee agrees changes each year, so check the ADA CDT page for what is changing, for example the changes agreed in March 2026 for CDT 2027, rather than relying on a supplier sheet or a third-party list.
- Name the code set correctly in documents. Use “Code on Dental Procedures and Nomenclature (CDT)” in policies and contracts so it is not confused with CPT or with HCPCS Level II.
- Keep service codes and product identifiers apart. A CDT code describes a dental service. A catalogue number or HCPCS Level II code identifies a product or supply. Product pages such as dental gloves or dental suction describe equipment, not billing codes.
- Route change requests to the owner. If a code is missing or unclear, the ADA page points to its code-change request section.
- Remember the privacy side. Claims travel with patient information, so staff handling them also work under HIPAA; see also electronic data interchange in medical supply procurement and electronic medical records for the systems involved.
Common misunderstandings
“CDT and CPT are the same thing”
They are separate code sets. CMS lists them separately among the HIPAA code sets, and attributes CPT (HCPCS Level I) to the AMA, while CDT is maintained by the ADA.
“The ADA calls it Current Dental Terminology”
The ADA’s own page uses “The Code on Dental Procedures and Nomenclature (the CDT Code).” The longer phrase is how many searchers refer to it.
“CDT also covers the supplies used in the procedure”
Under the sources above, CDT is the dental services code set, while HCPCS Level II covers items and services not in CPT.
FAQ
What are current dental terminology codes?
They are the ADA’s CDT code set, officially the “Code on Dental Procedures and Nomenclature,” used to document dental services consistently.
Who maintains CDT codes?
The American Dental Association maintains and distributes it (45 CFR 162.1002), with changes agreed by its Code Maintenance Committee, which holds an annual meeting.
Is CDT a HIPAA code set?
Yes. The CMS HIPAA code set list includes it, and 45 CFR 162.1002 names the ADA’s code set for dental services.
Can I request a new or changed code?
Yes. The ADA page has a section for requesting a code addition, revision or deletion.
When do the next changes take effect?
The ADA states that changes agreed in March 2026 are to be incorporated into CDT 2027. Check the ADA CDT page for the publication details.
Sources
- American Dental Association, CDT: ada.org/publications/cdt (checked 2026-11-01)
- CMS, HIPAA code sets: cms.gov code sets page (checked 2026-11-01)
- CMS, Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System: cms.gov HCPCS page (checked 2026-11-01)
- 45 CFR 162.1002 (Cornell LII text): law.cornell.edu (checked 2026-11-01)
