For the purposes of this Article, the following definitions apply:

Dental Priority Classification means a numerical or alphanumerical code associated with a dental diagnosis and assigned by a dentist. It is the objective expression of the degree of urgency of a patient's dental needs, providing the timeframe within which treatment must be initiated subsequent to the date of diagnosis.

Face-to-Face Triage Encounter means a planned visit to assess and diagnose a patient's chief complaint and to provide necessary treatment following submittal of a CDCR 7362, Health Care Services Request Form, by a patient or when dental staff issues a ducat to a patient after performing a health record review.

Limited Problem Focused Exam Encounter means an unplanned visit to assess and diagnose a patient's chief complaint and to provide treatment if necessary for a patient with a dental emergency who arrives at the dental clinic unannounced without an appointment or who is referred to the dental clinic by health care or custody staff and dental staff has not issued a ducat to the patient and there is also no record of recently receiving a CDCR 7362, Health Care Services Request Form, from the patient addressing the emergent condition.

Plaque Index Score means a measurement used to determine a patient's level of oral hygiene.

Root Canal Therapy means a dental procedure in which the pulp chamber and canal(s) of a tooth are cleaned, shaped, and filled.