Pages 155-163, Language: English, GermanRaff, AlexanderThe further development of the principles of functional diagnostics frequently also has an effect on new diagnostic instrumental procedures. Diagnostic occlusal indicator splints for the visual analysis of occlusal parafunctions are an example of this. These were developed to record the intensity and distribution of tooth contacts over time throughout the period of splint wearing, and to enable their objective visual evaluation at a later date. The list of service items contained in the German Dental Fee Schedule (GOZ) were hardly altered with regard to functional diagnostics by the GOZ fee reform in 2012, so that they differ very little from the previous version of 1988. Consequently, in this regard the GOZ is outdated, and since dentists in Germany are required by law to practice dentistry according to the current state of science, they cannot do so based solely on the service items listed in the GOZ. The legislator is aware of this problem and has, therefore, included the possibility in the new GOZ of invoicing those dental independent services not listed in the fee code as analogous service items according to the type of service, cost, and time input involved, as well as the degree of difficulty of comparable services (referred to as "analogous services"). On the basis of the example of diagnostic occlusal indicator splints and their evaluation, this article describes the legal and functional background to the GOZ fees, and the consequences for their implementation in clinical practice.
Keywords: occlusal parafunctions, diagnostic occlusal indicator splints, dental fee schedule (GOZ), analogous services
