Billing and coding specialists are essential for dental operations, and positions are in high demand. If you possess excellent customer service skills, are detail oriented and have strong communication skills, a career in billing and coding may be the one for you.
The program is 100% online, and all work is completed via Blackboard, where assignments and learning materials will be available for students to complete on their computer at their own pace. There are no scheduled meeting times for classes.
Each course should be registered for separately. Dental Terminology must be passed prior to Dental Billing and Coding.
Upon completing these classes, students will be able to take the CDC – Certified Dental Coder and the CDBS – Certified Dental Billing Specialist exams.
Industry-recognized credential: Certified Dental Coder and Certified Dental Billing Specialist, by the American Dental Coders Association
Complete in: Nine months or less

Wake Tech academic programs (degree and non-degree) that are designed to lead to professional licenses are tied to North Carolina or national certifications. If you intend to pursue professional licenses outside North Carolina once you have completed your academic program at Wake Tech, please refer to the Professional Licensure section of the college's distance education authorization page for additional information.
Identify the purpose of dental insurance and the difference from medical insurance
Describe the various types of dental insurance plans and their guidelines and requirements
Review terms related to the claims process, including insurance participation, insurance estimates, verification, breakdowns, treatment planning, EOBs and AOB
Defend insurance denials with the appropriate documentation, including appeals
Compare the dental front-office job duties, including the role of the dental insurance coordinator
Evaluate complex, real-life case studies and apply the concepts retained from the course material to defend billing against clinical documentation
Analyze the layout and organization of the most-recent-year CDT book and properly code procedures from clinical documentation scenarios
Examine and study dental coding related to various specialties and subspecialties
What is Dental Billing and Coding?
Types of Insurance and In/Out of Network
Dental Insurance Verification, Breakdown and Estimates
Dental Claims
Explanation of Benefits & Assignment of Benefits
Avoiding Claims Errors and Denials & Non-Covered Services
Understanding Discounts and Fraud & How to Get Paid for Commonly Denied Services
The Role of the Insurance Coordinator
Case Studies
Dental Coding - How to use the CDT Book
Diagnostic and Preventative Services
Restorative, Endodontic and Periodontics
Prosthodontics & Implant Services
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Orthodontics & Adjunctive General Services
128
No
CDC (Certified Dental Coder) and CDBS (Certified Dental Billing Specialist)
No
Dental Terminology or appropriate background working with dental terminology
"2026 CDT Code Book (ADA)," "Dental Administration with Confidence 2026" by Charles Blair, Greg Grobmyer and James DiMarino (ISBN: 978-1-7373947-8-5)
N/A
80% attendance
N/A
The intended audience for this course is all dental office staff, from the front office to the patient care workers.
Dental Office Managers, Dental Front Office staff (Receptionist, Office Assistant, etc.), Clinical Documentation Improvement, Dental Coders
N/A
Dental front office
Dental coder
Dental biller
Allied Health Office https://cehealth.waketech.edu
919-747-0140
[email protected]
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