Introducing Automatic Consent Forms

Available to all users on version 7.21.2 and above.

We are excited to announce Automatic Consent Forms, designed to simplify how you handle patient paperwork. With automatic consent forms, you can minimize pre-appointment manual tasks, ensure all forms are completed and signed, and streamline your workflow for greater efficiency.

This guide covers how to set up automatic consent forms and what to expect in this early version.

Access

Setup is simple! 

1. Ensure you are logged in as an Administrative user ↗️.
2. In the upper left corner of the homepage, click Settings.
3. Find Consent Forms in the Forms Tab.
4. Confirm consent forms are linked to either codes or categories. 
   • ⚠️Note: Automatic sending only applies to consent forms linked to a treatment code or category. For assistance linking Open Dental ADA codes to your consent forms, start with this guide: How Do I Link Treatment Codes to Consent Forms?↗️
5. Enable Send Automated Consents.
   • Send Consent Texts
   • Send Consent Emails
6. Optional: Select which Consents To Exclude from automation. Forms included in this text box will not send with automation.

Setup Consent Texts

1. Assign the 'Time of day to send texts'.
2. Enter 'How many days in advance would you like to send texts'.
3. Decide what you want your text to say. 
   • 💡ProTip: Use Handlebars to prefill helpful and important information. For a list of available handlebars, see our 'Looking for More' section below.
   • ⚠️Note: Alternate language texts are sent only when 'Multilingual Communication' is enabled and your patient’s language is set in Open Dental. To learn more, check out these resources: 
     1. Using Alternate Language(s)↗️
     2. Language setup in Open Dental ↗️
4. To activate changes, click Save.

 

Setup Consent Emails

1. Set the 'Time of day to send emails'.
2. Decide 'How many days in advance to send emails'.
3. Confirm your Consent Email Subject Line. If desired, type a new subject line, replacing the default.
4. When finished, click Save. 

That's it for setup —Flex takes it from here. Now let's look at what you and your patient's can expect once the system is running.

What You Should Expect

1. A simplified check-in and pre-appointment process.
2. .PDF copies are stored in the patient's Imaging module.
3. On your home dashboard, indicators display next to the patient's name if a consent form is still due.
4. Once completed, the Consents icon on the patient page no longer indicates that a signature is needed.

What Patients Should Expect

1. A text and/or email from your office asking them to complete their consent form.
2. Your patient will click a link or button opening the form on their device.
3. The patient's date of birth is entered to access the form.
4. Once completed and signed, patients can download a copy for their records or exit and move on with their day.

Looking for More?

➡️When editing templates, handlebars make it easy to include specific information. See this guide for a list of available options: Handlebars for Pre-Filling Information.

➡️To learn how to build your consent forms, view this article: View, Add, Delete, And Edit Consents.

➡️If your patient needs you to resend a consent form, this guide will help: How Do I Send Consents Via Text/Email?

➡️For consent forms that need to be signed in the office, check out the information here: How Do Patients Sign Consents In-Office?

You are all set!

If you found this information helpful, please like and/or comment below!

If you have questions, please contact Flex Support.

Thank you!