MDS Alert
Reader Questions:
Don’t Count Teeth as Bones After Fall
Published on Thu Jul 07, 2022 
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Question: If a resident falls and breaks a tooth, does that count as a fracture when coding J1700 (Fall History on Admission/Entry or Reentry)? Answer: Even though teeth and bones are comprised of similar components, they are different and treated differently in most healthcare situations. Do not consider teeth as bone for MDS item J1700, says Carol Maher, RN-BC, RAC-MTA, RAC-MT, RAC-CTA, RAC-CT, CPC, director of education at Hansen Hunter & Co.
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