Smarter Week

How to automate it

How to automate “write clinical and procedure notes after each patient”

Here are 2 ways to spend less time on this, best first. Each comes with steps you can follow today.

60 min
typically, every day
50%
of the time can be automated
Some setup
to set up

Fix 1 of 2

Software featureBest fix

Let a dental AI scribe or voice tool draft the clinical note

Dental voice and ambient AI tools listen to the appointment (with the patient's consent) or to you dictating, and write the procedure note, perio entries and treatment details into the practice management system. You review and sign.

Typically saves about 40% of the time1 h to set up
  1. 1Ask your owner or office manager which dental AI note tool is approved, or trial one that integrates with your system (for example Overjet Voice, Bola AI or Denti.AI).
  2. 2Set your note templates and the details you always need (anaesthetic, materials, tooth and surface, post-op instructions).
  3. 3Tell patients a tool is helping with notes and get consent as your policy requires.
  4. 4Read every note before signing; you are responsible for the record.
  5. 5Only use tools your practice has approved and covered by a HIPAA business associate agreement (BAA) for anything with patient information.

Tools: Overjet Voice · Bola AI · Denti.AI · Your practice management system (Dentrix, Eaglesoft, Open Dental, Curve, Denticon, CareStack or similar)

Fix 2 of 2

Software feature

Use procedure note templates that fill in from the code you chart

Most dental systems can attach a note template to each procedure code (auto notes or clinical note templates), so charting a crown prep drops in 80% of the note. You only fill the prompts.

Typically saves about 35% of the time2 h to set up
  1. 1List the ten procedures you chart most.
  2. 2Build an auto note or template for each in your practice management system, with prompts for the parts that change (tooth, shade, anaesthetic, complications).
  3. 3Link each template to its procedure code so it appears when you complete the procedure.
  4. 4Share them with the whole clinical team so notes are consistent.

Tools: Your practice management system (Dentrix, Eaglesoft, Open Dental, Curve, Denticon, CareStack or similar)

Quick wins

Have you tried…

Have you tried a dental AI tool that drafts your clinical note while you work?
With the patient's consent, an approved tool listens or takes your dictation and writes the procedure note into your practice system for you to check and sign.

Who does this task

Roles in our library that list this as one of their common tasks. Each guide covers the rest of that role’s week.

DentistDental hygienist / assistant

HourLeak · the 8-minute work audit

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Other common tasks for Dentists