D0350 is the CDT code for a 2D oral or facial photographic image captured with a camera — taken either inside the mouth (intra-orally) or outside (extra-orally) — to document teeth, gingiva, occlusion, soft tissue, or facial structures for the clinical record.
Informational only — confirm the official CDT descriptor and your payers' rules independently. This is general guidance, not billing, coding, or clinical advice.
When to Use the D0350 Code
Use D0350 for a clinical photograph that documents a diagnostic finding or supports treatment planning — for example, an intra-oral photo of a lesion, fracture, or existing restoration, or an extra-oral facial photo to track orthodontic or prosthodontic change.
D0350 is photographic, not radiographic. Do not use it for X-ray imaging, which falls under separate codes — bitewings (D0272/D0274), periapicals (D0220/D0230), or a panoramic (D0330). It's also not the code for routine intake or marketing photos taken at every visit with no specific diagnostic purpose; D0350 should tie to a clinical reason in the record. Confusing a photographic image with a radiograph is a common miscode.
Documentation & Clinical Scenarios
Because the value of D0350 rests on its diagnostic purpose, the chart should make that clear:
- The diagnostic reason — what the photo documents (lesion, trauma, pre-/post-treatment comparison, orthodontic progress).
- Intra- or extra-oral and the region or view captured.
- A link to the clinical record — the image stored with the patient's chart and referenced in the note.
- The provider and date.
What's billed separately: the evaluation, the imaging radiographs, and any treatment that day carry their own codes. D0350 covers only the photographic image itself, and image storage or duplication is not separately reported under this code.
Insurance & Billing Tips
- Expect variable coverage. Many plans treat clinical photographs as part of the exam or as non-covered; verify the benefit before assuming reimbursement.
- Document medical necessity. A clear diagnostic reason (pathology, trauma, treatment-planning documentation) supports the claim and any appeal.
- Attach the image when required. Some payers want the photo submitted, especially for pre-authorization of cosmetic or orthodontic work.
- Don't bill for marketing or routine photos. Photos taken without a diagnostic purpose generally aren't reportable as D0350.
- Check per-image vs. per-series rules. Confirm whether the payer reimburses each image or a documented set.
Example Case
A patient presents with a soft-tissue lesion on the buccal mucosa. To document its appearance and size for the record and for a possible specialist referral, the dentist captures an intra-oral photograph, stores it with the chart, and notes the finding. The image is coded D0350, with the diagnostic reason documented in the clinical note. Because the office confirmed the plan's stance on diagnostic photographs and attached the image to the claim, the submission is handled cleanly.
Patients call about a spot, a chipped tooth, or a consult — not D0350. DentalReception AI answers and books those calls 24/7, captures insurance details, and routes clinical and billing questions to your team. See how it handles cosmetic consultation calls, or book a demo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is D0350 an X-ray code?
No. D0350 is a photographic image taken with a camera, not a radiograph. X-ray imaging uses separate codes — bitewings (D0272/D0274), periapicals (D0220/D0230), or a panoramic (D0330). Reporting D0350 for an X-ray, or a radiograph code for a clinical photo, is a common error.
Can I bill D0350 for every patient photo?
Not appropriately. D0350 should document a specific diagnostic finding or support treatment planning — a lesion, fracture, restoration, or orthodontic comparison. Routine intake photos or images taken purely for marketing or before/after galleries, with no clinical reason linked to the record, generally should not be reported as D0350.
Does insurance cover D0350?
Coverage varies widely. Some plans bundle clinical photographs into the exam, some treat them as non-covered, and others reimburse when medical necessity is documented — for instance, pathology, trauma, or pre-authorization support. Verify the specific plan's policy before the visit, and be prepared to attach the image and a diagnostic rationale to the claim.
Do I need to keep the photo in the patient's record?
Yes. The image should be stored with the patient's chart and referenced in the clinical note that explains its diagnostic purpose. That linkage is what distinguishes a reportable D0350 from a casual photo, and it's what supports the claim if a payer questions necessity or requests the image for review.
Confirm the current CDT descriptor and your specific payer policies before billing — browse the full dental code library or see our insurance verification feature.