Public dental waiting list episode—waiting list type, code N

Guide for use:

Jurisdictions often maintain separate waiting lists for different categories of dental treatment. For example, a person waiting for dentures will be placed on a denture waiting list, while a person waiting for a check-up may be placed on a waiting list for general dental care. The lists are likely to have different waiting times so it is necessary to differentiate between lists.

The "Assessment" code should only be used if the person is placed on a specific waiting list for assessment which is distinct from the waiting lists for general dental care or denture care. If the jurisdiction does not have a separate "Assessment" waiting list, then waiting list episodes should be recorded using the "General dental care" or "Denture care" codes, even if an assessment to determine future treatment is included in the course of care.

The calculation of total waiting time will differ between jurisdictions that use an assessment waiting list and those that do not.

In cases where a person is on a waiting list for both general dental care and denture care - for example, a person with natural teeth requiring partial dentures is placed on a waiting list for denture care following completion of general care - this should be counted as two separate waiting list episodes.

Context:
Public dental waiting times