D1310 is the CDT code for nutritional counseling for the control of dental disease. This is a dedicated counseling session where the clinician reviews the patient's dietary habits and their impact on caries risk, erosion, or other oral disease. The session is a separate, documentable service distinct from a routine oral hygiene instruction.
Get help with D1310 claims →Last updated June 2026 · Reviewed by the PracticeAlpha billing team
D1310 is appropriate for patients with active caries or a history of multiple new lesions where diet is a contributing factor. Reviewing the frequency of fermentable carbohydrate consumption, sugar-sweetened beverages, and between-meal snacking provides actionable prevention opportunities.
Patients presenting with erosive tooth wear should be counseled on the dietary sources of acid exposure. Carbonated drinks, citrus fruits, sports drinks, and acidic foods all contribute to erosion. D1310 documents that this counseling occurred as a separate, intentional service.
For young children, D1310 counseling often involves the parent or guardian. Bottle habits, juice consumption, and bedtime feeding practices are common topics. When used alongside D0145, D1310 provides additional documentation of caries-risk counseling beyond what is already built into the infant evaluation code.
Many commercial dental plans do not include D1310 as a covered benefit. Verify benefits before providing the service. If not covered, document the service for the clinical record but advise the patient it will not be submitted to insurance.
Some plans consider nutritional counseling to be included in the prophylaxis or examination fee. Billing D1310 on the same date as D1110 or D0120 may trigger a bundling denial. When billing together, attach a narrative describing the counseling as a distinct service with separate content and time.
A note that simply says "diet counseling provided" is not sufficient for a separate billed service. The clinical note must describe the specific dietary factors discussed and the recommendations given to the patient.
Plans that do cover D1310 often limit it to once or twice per year. Billing more frequently than the plan allows will result in a frequency-based denial. Track when D1310 was last billed for each patient.
Record the specific foods, beverages, or eating patterns that were discussed and their relationship to the patient's current oral disease activity.
Note the clinical findings that prompted the counseling session: active lesions, erosive wear patterns, or high caries risk classification.
Document the changes recommended: reducing sugar-sweetened beverages, limiting between-meal snacking, eliminating nighttime bottle feeding, or other tailored guidance.
Note the approximate time spent on the counseling session and the name and credentials of the clinician who conducted it.
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Learn about our billing servicesD1310 is the CDT code for nutritional counseling for the control of dental disease. It covers a dedicated session reviewing the patient's diet and its relationship to caries risk, erosion, or other oral disease.
D1310 addresses diet and nutrition as they relate to dental disease. D1320 covers tobacco counseling for oral disease prevention. Both are separate counseling codes that can apply to the same patient at different visits.
Coverage varies widely. Some plans include it as a preventive benefit, especially for pediatric or high-risk patients. Many commercial plans do not cover counseling codes. Verify benefits before the appointment.
Some plans allow same-day billing while others require a separate appointment. If billed on the same date as a prophylaxis or exam, document the nutritional counseling as a distinct service with its own time and content.
Document the specific dietary habits reviewed, the relationship to the patient's oral disease activity, and the recommendations given. A general note saying "diet discussed" is not sufficient for a billed service.
A dentist or licensed dental hygienist can perform and document D1310 counseling, within their scope of practice under applicable state law.
Search all CDT codes in our dental coding guide.