User manual | Setup Checklist - Open Dental Software

General Setup of a Blank Database
Use this checklist after installing the full version of Open Dental as a quick start guide to setting up your database.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Web Manual Link
HIPAA
Ensure computer systems are HIPAA-compliant.
Security Issues
Data Paths
Make sure the paths to Open Dental folders work on all computers.
Data Path Setup

Bridges:
Bridges need to be set up on the server and workstations.
Program Bridges
- Digital Imaging  Select the digital imaging software you will bridge to.
- Other
 Determine what other third party software you will bridge to (e.g. Supplemental
Services & Products
credit card processing, reminders, insurance benefit info).
Clearinghouse
Select the clearinghouse you will send e-claims to, then set it up.
E-Claims
Turn on extra features (e.g. Clinics, Medical, EHR).
If using EHR, contact Open Dental to sign an EHR Contract.
Show Features
If using clinics, enter clinic names, addresses, defaults.
Clinic Setup
Enter practice name, address, default providers.
Practice Setup
Set up dentists and hygienists.
Provider List
Enter employee names.
Employee List
Set up operatories (assign dentists, hygienists, clinics).
Operatory Setup
Set up provider schedules. This affects open/close times in the
Appointment schedule.
Schedule Setup
In the Procedure Code List:
 Create fee schedules.
 Enter fees.
 Mark hygiene procedure codes as “Is Hygiene Procedure”.
 Add alternate codes, substitution codes, or non-standard codes
(e.g. for merchandise).
Procedure Code List
INITIAL SETUP
General
Practice
Information
Customize options that show in various windows (e.g. payment types, Definition Setup
procedures added to appointments (appt proc quick add), billing
options).
Printing and Scanning:
 Set default printers.
 Set default scanning options.
Printer Setup
Imaging Setup
Define pay periods and rules so employees can use the Time Clock.
Time Card Setup
APPOINTMENTS
Views
Set up appointment schedule views for different situations (e.g. HIPAA Appointment View
view). Choose operatories, set where and what information shows.
Setup
Recall
Verify default recall types. (This is advanced. Do not alter unless
you understand what you are doing).
Recall Types
Set defaults for the recall list.
Recall List Defaults
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General Setup of a Blank Database
updated 2/23/2017
Web Manual Links
CHARTING
Procedure
Buttons
Set up buttons that allow quick entry of commonly used procedures.
Procedure Button
Setup
Auto Codes
Verify automated codes that validate procedure codes. (This is
advanced. Do not alter unless you understand what you are
doing).
Auto Codes
Auto Notes
Create templates for frequently entered, complex notes (e.g. exams,
root canals, materials, post op instructions).
Auto Note Setup
Procedure
Notes
Enter default notes that automatically copy to completed procedures.
Procedure Notes

PREFERENCES & CUSTOMIZATION
By Module
Set default preferences for each module.
Module Preferences
Miscellaneous
Set the title bar, language options, and task list defaults.
Miscellaneous Setup
Claim Forms
For printed claims, set the default claim form.
Claim Form Setup
Colors
Define custom background, text, and notification colors.
Definition Setup
Many of these lists will auto-populate as you enter data. You can also
directly enter data in each list.
 Employers
 Insurance Carriers
 Insurance Plans
 Allergies
 Problems
 Medications
 Referrals (to and from)
 Dental labs you send Lab Cases to
 For paper prescriptions:
- Create templates for commonly prescribed medications
- Pharmacies.
Employer List
OPTIONAL
Master Lists
Communication Set up eServices.
 Patient Portal
 eReminders and eConfirmations
 Mobile Web
 Web Sched
 Web Forms
Forms, letters,
labels
Insurance Carrier List
Insurance Plan List
Allergy List
Problem List
Medication List
Referral List
Dental Laboratories
Prescription Setup
Pharmacy List
eServices
Set up E-mail.
E-mail
Set up messaging for inter-office communication.
Messaging
Create task lists and inboxes
Tasks and Task Lists
Customize templates for forms, letters, labels, and statements. These Sheets
templates can be used to gather and send information electronically
For more guidance on using Open Dental, see Using Open Dental (Blank Database).
For a complete list of all Open Dental setup options, see Open Dental Setup.
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General Setup of a Blank Database
updated 2/23/2017

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