Open Dental Forum

I am interested in replacing the automated appointment confirmation emails and texts, and post-appointment e-mail follow-up of Lighthouse 360 solely with automated Open Dental features.

-Is this feasible, and has anyone accomplished?
-If so, could you please elaborate on the process, and any pros and cons?

I'd like to know too?

If there are no takers for replacing Lighthouse 360 (or other automated services), could anyone please provide their experience in using the automated emails and texts to confirm appointments.

Also, does anyone use the Open Dental automated emails post-appointment to kindly ask for reviews, or other follow-up feedback?

The automatic e-confirmation is new as of OD version16.3 (started in the last few months)
The best is to contact OD e-services for additional information

Open Dental E-services available here:
http://www.opendental.com/manual/eservices.html

Contact Open Dental for monthly fees. See Fees for Software, Support, and Services:
http://www.opendental.com/manual/fees.html

=================================================================

Each dentist can create their own MANUAL confirmation system.

We do the manual Email and text confirmation for the last few years and it works GREAT.
- 2 weeks before the appointment , we still mail confirmation postcards. (Yellow)
- 1 week before the appointment , we send an email confirmation (Light Blue) or text confirmation (Purple) - (it takes less than 60 seconds)
- and 2-3 days before the appointment we text or email a " looking forward to seeing you on your appointment date" - (it takes less than 60 seconds)

In general, texting works better than email.

The message we send:
[NameF], Confirming your dental appointment on [date] at [time]. reply "CONFIRM" or if you need to reschedule go to our 24/7 online scheduling webpage http://www.drjohndoe.com/online.htm or call us at (123) 456-7890
When we speak to the patient, or when the patient reply "confirm", WE DISCONTINUE all other communications and the appointment now is CONFIRMED and the confirmation color is (Green)

My receptionist does that on Tuesdays and Fridays. It became a routine now.
Confirmations are color coded on the schedule, so it is easy for me and the staff to track the confirmations by just checking the confirmation colors
the target is to have the color green for all patients, any other color should be followed up with , (phone call)

Thank you for the thorough response. Very informative!

We do have many customers that have or are in process of switching from other solutions to our eServices to confirm and send appointment reminders using eConfirmations and eReminders (along with setting up Web Sched to schedule recalls and New Patients). That being said, one of the easiest ways to tell whether or not it would work for your practice is to see it in action. If you give us a call at (503)363-5432 we can set up a demo for you so that you can see the full eServices suite and see how it would function for you, we can also answer any questions you may have at that point.

Third Coast wrote:If there are no takers for replacing Lighthouse 360 (or other automated services), could anyone please provide their experience in using the automated emails and texts to confirm appointments.

Also, does anyone use the Open Dental automated emails post-appointment to kindly ask for reviews, or other follow-up feedback?

Many Drs/Offices have switched to HRDSQ(us) from LH360/Demandforce/SolutionReach and are very happy and paying customer for past 6/8 months.

Here is the list of features we provide at fraction of cost.
http://hrdsq.com/converged_comm

1) Smart CallerID - Integrates with existing phone service providers (No number porting)
2) CallLog - Help provide tracking of all inbound calls and follow-ups of missed calls - Seamless integration with OD
3) Real time SMS Chat - seamless integration with OD - No sync needed
4) Reminder service - manual and auto - SMS/Email/IVR - integration with OD - No sync needed - Not a dead SMS #. It can ring back to your office line
5) PPO Insurance Validation & Balance - With Inbound Ring, 1-Click and Auto service.
6) Vanity Phone#s for advertisement tracking integrated with CallLog
7) Online chatbot to communicate with your website visitors

Please call 949-542-6773 for Demo and references.