Q. How do you define tooth numbering on the CMS 1500 form?

On the CMS form in Field 24 there is a shaded pink area to report "supplemental information". In fields 24A-24G where you may report tooth numbers and other supplemental information such as anesthesia time and narrative descriptions of unspecified codes. A qualifier should be used when reporting any of these services.

The following qualifiers may be used:
JP Universal/National Tooth Designation System
JO ANSI/ADA/ISO Specification No. 3950-1984 Dentistry Designation System for Tooth and Areas of the Oral Cavity
When reporting tooth numbers, add in the following order: qualifier, tooth number, e.g., JP16. When reporting an area of the oral cavity, enter in the following order: qualifier, area of oral cavity code, e.g., JO10.
When reporting multiple tooth numbers for one procedure, add in the following order: qualifier, tooth number, blank space, tooth number, blank space, tooth number, etc., e.g., JP1 16 17 32.
When reporting multiple tooth numbers for one procedure, the number of units reported in 24G is the number of teeth involved in the procedure.
When reporting multiple areas of the oral cavity for one procedure, add in the following order: qualifier, oral cavity code, blank space, oral cavity code, etc., e.g., JO10 20.
When reporting multiple areas of the oral cavity for one procedure, the number of units reported in 24G is the number of areas of the oral cavity involved in the procedure.
The following are the codes for tooth numbers, reported with the JP qualifier:
1 - 32 Permanent dentition
51 - 82 Permanent supernumerary dentition
A - T Primary dentition
AS - TS Primary supernumerary dentition
The following are the codes for areas of the oral cavity, reported with the JO qualifier:
00 Entire oral cavity
01 Maxillary arch
02 Mandibular arch
10 Upper right quadrant
20 Upper left quadrant
30 Lower left quadrant
40 Lower right quadrant
For further information on these codes,
The following are the codes for tooth numbers, reported with the JP qualifier:
1-32 Permanent dentition
51-82 Permanent supernumerary dentition
A-T Primary dentition
AS-TS Primary supernumerary dentition
The following are the codes for areas of the oral cavity, reported with the JO qualifier:
00 Entire oral cavity
01 Maxillary arch
02 Mandibular arch
10 Upper right quadrant
20 Upper left quadrant
30 Lower left quadrant
40 Lower right quadrant