Treatment of Industrial Dental Injuries
Dr. Jerome Peterson treats dental injuries covered by California workers' compensation — and he is accepting new patients for treatment of workers' compensation injuries, including patients who have been awarded future dental treatment. Treatment is billed through the carrier, not the patient.
The full scope of dentistry, applied to the injury
Industrial dental injuries rarely fit in one box — a workplace accident can damage teeth, the jaw joints, the muscles, and the gums all at once. Dr. Peterson performs treatment in all aspects of dentistry, so an injured worker's care stays with one doctor from evaluation through completion:
TMJ / TMD & muscle myalgia
Evaluation and treatment of jaw joint disorders and muscle pain caused or aggravated by industrial injury — diagnosis-first, with objective EMG muscle testing. TMJ care →
Restoration of teeth
Full-mouth restoration of injured teeth with dental fillings and crowns — rebuilding function and comfort tooth by tooth.
Full-mouth reconstruction
Reconstruction with dental implants and fixed prosthetic restorations for severe industrial dental trauma. Reconstruction →
Periodontal treatment & maintenance
Treatment of gum and supporting-structure conditions related to the injury, with ongoing periodontal maintenance to protect the result.
Oral appliances
Custom orthotic appliances for TMJ disorders and oral sleep apnea appliances where indicated. Sleep appliances →
Awarded future dental treatment? Start here.
Many workers' compensation cases resolve with an award of future medical care — and dental is the benefit injured workers most often leave unused. If your case settled with future dental treatment, that care is already yours.
Dr. Peterson accepts patients awarded future dental treatment. Bring your award or settlement documents and claim information; the office coordinates authorization with the carrier and builds a treatment plan around what the injury requires — from restorations to full reconstruction.
Why referrers send injured workers here
Dr. Peterson has treated industrial dental injuries for more than 40 years and served as a defense QME as far back as 2005 — with a public record in California Workers' Compensation Appeals Board proceedings. He was one of two dentists statewide appointed to help develop California's dental QME examination.
Attorneys, adjusters, and nurse case managers get a treating doctor who understands the system: clear documentation, reports that answer the questions the file raises, and treatment plans scoped to the injury. For evaluations, see QME / AME / IME services.
Workers' compensation treatment questions, answered
Can a work injury be treated through workers’ compensation dental care?
Yes. Dental injuries that arise out of and in the course of employment — broken or lost teeth, jaw injuries, TMJ disorders caused or aggravated by work, and related orofacial pain — are treatable under California workers’ compensation when the claim is accepted or treatment is awarded.
Is Dr. Peterson accepting new workers’ compensation patients?
Yes. The practice accepts new patients for treatment of workers’ compensation injuries. Call (949) 558-3001 with your claim information and the office will tell you what is needed to begin.
What if I was awarded future dental treatment in my case?
Dr. Peterson accepts patients who have been awarded future dental treatment as part of a workers’ compensation settlement or award. If your case resolved with an award of future dental care, call the office to schedule — bring your award or settlement documents and claim information.
What kinds of industrial dental injuries does Dr. Peterson treat?
All aspects of dentistry related to the injury: TMJ/TMD evaluation and treatment, treatment for muscle myalgia, restoration of teeth with fillings and crowns, periodontal treatment and maintenance, full-mouth reconstruction with dental implants and fixed prosthetic restorations, and oral appliances — including oral sleep apnea appliances where indicated.
Do I pay for workers’ compensation dental treatment?
Treatment of an accepted industrial injury is billed through the workers’ compensation carrier, not the patient. Bring your claim number, adjuster contact, and any treatment authorization — the office handles the workers’ compensation paperwork and billing process.
Do I need a referral from my attorney or adjuster?
A referral is helpful but not always required to start. If you have an accepted claim or a future medical award, call the office directly and the staff will coordinate with your attorney, adjuster, or nurse case manager as needed.