Dentrix Ascend Helps Bell Family Dentistry Reach a 94% Total Patient Collection Rate
Let the Numbers Speak
94%
Total patient collection rate
$11,000
Average gross production per day
27
Average new patients per month
Challenges
After their original PMS vendor went out of business, Bell Family Dentistry turned to Dentrix, which supported their growing practice for years. As the practice evolved, though, they needed a solution that could meet their changing needs and provide cloud-based access.
Solution
Bell Family Dentistry switched to Dentrix Ascend in 2018 and hasn't looked back. The software's ease of use and user-friendly visuals are especially appealing to staff, while the cloud-based platform allows team members to handle emergency calls and view files, even when they're not in the office.
Results
Dentrix Ascend has streamlined workflows, saved the practice time, and enhanced overall patient satisfaction.
Better Patient Visits
Dentrix Ascend's Quick Exam and Treatment Planner simplify the team's ability to put together treatment plans and view the patient's history. "I feel like our treatment planning is 10,000 times better and so much more efficient," said Amanda Bell, Owner and Business Manager at Bell Family Dentistry. "We're able to spend time talking to the patient and educating them, instead of trying to figure out their treatment plan."
Consistent recare reminders
One of the biggest benefits for the practice is Dentrix Ascend's appointment reminder tool. The practice sends out automated reminders 20 days, then 3 days before a patient's appointment with a link to any online forms that need to be filled out. If a patient misses an appointment, they automatically receive a reminder to reschedule.
Improved patient health
The practice uses Dentrix Voice, powered by Bola Al, to streamline and simplify perio exams, and they've seen a huge improvement in treatment since implementation. Hygienists can now complete the exams by themselves. "I think our perio program has definitely improved, and we're keeping much better track of patients' perio health," said Bell. "Now we're doing perio exams once a year like we should be."
Smoother billing and claims processes
Dentrix Ascend has also helped simplify the practice's billing and claims processes. Patients are able to make payments online, which then auto-post to the ledger, eliminating the risk of manual errors. Reporting capabilities help the practice track pre-authorizations and overdue claims. Claims can also be sent electronically, saving time and creating a cleaner claims process.
"Ascend tells you everything that needs to be attached for the insurance company, and it's really easy to attach diagnosis codes and other necessary information," said Bell. "Sending claims is a piece of cake. We normally get paid within a week or two."
Anytime, anywhere access with the cloud
Being able to access patient files and practice information on the cloud has made an enormous difference for the staff and patients at Bell Family Dentistry. Charts can be reviewed and signed at home, and if there are after-hours emergencies, the team can still schedule appointments, create treatment plans, and send prescriptions.
When asked about the team's favorite Ascend features, though, Bell couldn't stress enough how easy it is to use. "Dentists have to rely a lot on their office managers and their front staff to run the business. So, what happens when your office manager leaves?" said Bell. "Because our workflows and processes are consistent within Ascend, I can bring people in and train them pretty quickly to manage our systems."
Bell Family Dentistry
If you can switch to Ascend, then you’re going to start becoming much more streamlined, you’re going to save time, and everything is going to flow together better.
There are a lot of little details you need to keep on top of at a dental practice. It’s not enough just to have a great dentist – you have to have all of these other things covered. Dentrix Ascend makes it easier for us to manage and stay on top of a lot of these little details.