What is an Exploding Code?

An Exploding Code (EC) is a five-digit code that can be used to represent a series of commonly grouped Service Codes (SC). Think about an Exploding Code as a fast food “value meal”. Instead of saying “I’ll have a cheeseburger, fries and a Coke” you just say “I’ll have a number 1”.

A great example of this would be a Crown. The individual SCs used in the Phases of a lab fabricated Crown:

- D2740 – Crown Preparation

- D2950 – The Buildup

- A2998 – The Cementation

To create a Treatment Plan for that Crown, the user would have to enter the 3 SCs above. With an EC, an Eaglesoft user can “bundle” those three SCs together as an EC.

Example of a Crown EC:

How can I use an EC?

In the example above, I have done two things to make use of the EC easier. The first is to put a period in front of the EC itself. That alphabetically puts the EC at the top of my ADA Code sorted SC list and well as the Service Code sorted list. Second is adding a period to the Description. The period in front of the description puts the EC at the top of the drop-down list of the Quick Pick button drop down list.

ECs are great for both Charting and for Treatment Planning.

Can tooth numbers or Quadrants be preassigned to ECs?

No. Sorry. That’s not an option.

Can I edit the order of Service Codes in an EC?

No but you can delete the EC and re-create it in the order you want.

Can I edit an Exploding Code (the actual Code) after it’s been saved?

You can NOT edit the code itself after it is saved. Delete it and create it the way you wanted it to be.

Can I make an EC for a Bridge?

Yes. If you want to create an EC for a traditional 3-unit bridge with Abutment, Pontic then Abutment, you can. If the bridge has two pontics, you might consider creating a second 4-unit Bridge EC with Abutment, Pontic, Pontic, Abutment. I would even consider creating one for a Maryland Bridge to make charting easier when you encounter one. Tip: Do not select the tooth first. Click the EC, then enter the tooth numbers as the code windows open.

Can I get a list of all my Exploding Codes?

Yes. Print the Detailed Exploding Codes Master report.

Can I put Service Codes in an order so that their abbreviations in order in the Appointment Notes?

So Example 1

The Order of the Service Codes in the Exploding Code are:

Exam

Bitewings

Prophy

In the Appointment Notes it list as Prophy. BW, Exam. Looks reversed but not really. The "first" code (exam) is in first then "pushes over to make room for 2nd code (BW), then the 3rd code Prophy.

Example 2

The Order of the Service Codes in the Exploding Code are:

Prophy

Bitewings

Exam

In the Appointment Notes it list as Exam. BW, Prophy.

What are the most common ECs I’ve created:

ECs for Recare visits. They are perfect for scheduling Next Visits in Hygiene. I like making ECs for each scenario. Recare with and without imaging. Here some of my Exploding Codes:

RCA - Recall Adult (Exam, Prophy)

RCAX - Recall Adult with BWs

RCAF - Recall Adult with FMX

RCC - Recall Child (Exam and Prophy)

RCCX - Recall Child with BW

RCFX - Recall Child with Fluoride and BW

RCCF - Recall Child with Fluoride NO BWs

.RCA = Recare Adult Visit