Recording an appointment
The basic loop, consent, treatment notes and recalls.
How do I record an appointment?
- 1Press New Note, top left.
- 2Pick a template. Use a default one for your first day or two.
- 3Press Test mic and check the bars move.
- 4Press Start recording, and do the appointment exactly as you normally would.
- 5Press Stop. Notes are typically written up in under 30 seconds.
- 6Review and edit the notes on the site, then copy them into your PMS.
Do I have to press start and stop?
Yes.
Do I need patient consent?
Yes. If you're recording audio you need consent, and even when you aren't recording audio we still recommend explaining what you're doing. The script we suggest:
“I'm not recording, but I am using AI to save me time with my notes today. Is that okay?”
In practice, patients almost never refuse. If one does, simply do your notes the old way.
What is Freestyle mode?
Freestyle uses no template. It simply structures whatever was discussed. It's ideal for anything that doesn't fit an examination template.
How do treatment notes work?
Treatment notes are the thing people find strangest at first. The workflow that works: do them after the appointment using your treatment template, dictating out the yellow (unfilled) areas.
Can I use it for recalls and previous exams?
Yes. Paste your last exam into the Last exam box.
My x-rays aren't being picked up
Say the total taken out loud, either during or at the end of the appointment. For example: "In total 3 x-rays were taken, 2 bitewings and 1 PA."
Can my nurse help with the notes?
This is the flow most practices settle on: you do the notes, and your nurse does the one-click copy and paste from the notes page.
There's also a Nurse Notes box on the recording page, so your nurse can add information while the appointment is taking place. Anything typed in there is taken into account when the note is written up.
Nurse initials auto-populate for the rest of the day once you've filled them in.
How do I see the transcript?
Go to Settings → Privacy & storage and turn on Store transcripts and Show transcripts on notes.
Can I change template mid-recording?
Yes. Use the template dropdown in the header while the recording is running.
Didn't find your answer?
Get in touch and send a screenshot of what you're seeing. It's the fastest route to a fix.
Contact support
OpenDentist Notes