F

F

facial:  The surface of a tooth directed toward . the cheeks or lips (i.e., the buccal and labial surfaces) and opposite the lingual surface.

family deductible: A deductible that is satisfied by combined expenses of all covered family members.  For example, a program with $25 deductible may limit its application to a maximum of three deductibles, or $75 for the family, regardless of the number of family members. See deductible.

fascial: Related to a sheet or band of fibrous connective tissue enveloping, separating or binding together muscles, organs and other soft tissue structures of the body.

fee: The monetary value ascribed to a procedure delivered by a dentist to a patient. There are various terms that include the word or concept of a fee that are defined as follows.

customary fee – The fee level determined by the administrator of a dental benefit plan for a specific dental procedure. This may vary widely by geographic region or by benefit plans within a region.

full fee–The fee for a service that is set by the dentist, which reflects the costs of providing the procedure and the value of the dentist’s professional judgment. A contractual relationship does not change a dentist’s full fee. It is always appropriate to report the full fee for each service reported to a third party payer.

usual fee–The fee which an individual dentist most frequently charges for a specific dental procedure independent of any contractual agreement. It is always appropriate to modify this fee based on the nature and severity of the condition being treated and by any medical or dental complications or unusual circumstances.

Usual, Customary and Reasonable Fees–These are three separate terms that are often incorrectly used interchangeably, synonymously or as a single term abbreviated as “UCR” when describing dental benefit plans. Definitions of these three terms are posted on-line at http://www.ada.org.

fee-for-service–A method of reimbursement by which the dentist establishes and expects to receive his or . her full fee for the specific service(s) performed.  Fee-for-service plans are also referred to as indemnity plans.

fee schedule–A list of the charges established or agreed to by a dentist for specific dental services.

filling:  A lay term used for the restoring of lost tooth structure by using materials such as metal, alloy, plastic or porcelain.

fixed partial denture:  A prosthetic replacement of one or more missing teeth cemented or otherwise attached to the abutment teeth or implant replacements.

flexible benefits: A benefit program in which an employee has a choice of credits or dollars for distribution among various benefit options, e.g., health and disability insurance, dental benefits, childcare, or pension benefits. See cafeteria plans; flexible spending account.

flexible spending account: Employee reimbursement account primarily funded with employee designated salary reductions.  Funds are reimbursed to the employee for health care (medical and/or dental), dependent care, and/or legal expenses, and are considered a nontaxable benefit.

foramen: Natural opening into or through bone.

fracture: The breaking of a part, especially of a bony structure; breaking of a tooth.

franchise dentistry: Refers to a system for marketing a dental practice, usually under a trade name, where permitted by state laws.  In return for a financial investment or other consideration, participating dentists may also receive the benefits of media advertising, a national referral system, and financial and management consultation.

freedom of choice:  The concept that a patient has the right to choose any licensed dentist to deliver his or her oral health care without any type of coercion.

frenum: Muscle fibers covered by a mucous membrane that attaches the cheek, lips and or tongue to associated dental mucosa.

full fee: see fee.

furcation: The anatomic area of a multirooted tooth where the roots diverge.