Think you know everything there is to know about Open Dental? Think again! Today we are going to highlight our lesser-known features of Open Dental. They might be just the thing to brighten your workday!
Imaging Module – Patient Educational Forms
Common handouts, such as post-op instructions, can be added directly to the Imaging Module and printed right away for your patient. Store these items in the A to Z (OpenDentImages) folder for easy access. When you need to give the handout to a patient, simply use the dropdown to add it directly to the Imaging Module and print.
This is also a great way to notate that you’ve handed literature to a patient. Additionally, if you are using Patient Portal, you can also allow patients to have access to specific folders that contain these items, making it easy for them to obtain a copy if they misplace theirs. This is great for after-care instructions or informational packets.
Scheduling – Graph
If you’re a visual person, graphs are often your best friends. If staring at the Schedule window makes your eyes glaze over, try the Graph view! It’s color-coded so you can see employee and provider schedules distinctly ensuring your day is fully staffed.
Contacts List
Long gone are the days of the Rolodex. Now, use the Contacts List in Open Dental to store phone and fax numbers for your vendors, IT professionals, or other important business contacts.
Certifications
Using the Certifications tool can make tracking staff training a piece of cake. Certifications can be tracked by categories, which can be per job title, areas in Open Dental, or anything you can think of. You can add dates to each employee’s certifications, and notes indicating when it needs to be renewed.
To make your life even easier, use the Wiki feature to store training materials for each certification!
Patient Addresses
Typing addresses can be cumbersome, especially when data is entered incorrectly. Use a combination of the frequent Zip Codes and USPS check to help. Simply mark your most commonly used zip codes as frequent, and instead of typing them out each time, you can select them from a dropdown to prefill data. You can also use the Map button to open the patient’s address in Google Maps (to verify you got it right!).
Using the USPS check tool is as simple as clicking the Save button. The address entered will be verified with the USPS database, and you will be prompted to make any corrections if there are errors.
Chart – Big + Chart Layout
Did you know you can reorganize the Chart Module? Enlarge your tooth chart, make your progress notes wider, or simply move things into different sections. Layouts can be set per workstation, so everyone can choose their own way of looking at the Chart.
Speaking of making things larger, try the Tooth Chart – Show Big button! This can be really useful when you are showing patients what you have treatment planned for them; that way they have a visual aid to go along with the exam.
When it seems like there is always something new to learn about Open Dental, you can rely on us to teach you what you need to know. Feel free to reach out to our friendly support team! We are only a phone call away.