The Patient Profile in Flex is your central workspace for managing one-on-one patient communication. Designed for efficiency, this single view brings together key patient details and convenient contact options, so you can quickly access what you need and stay focused on delivering care.
In this article, you will learn how to navigate this essential page—one you’ll likely use frequently in Flex. By understanding its core features and functionality, you’ll be able to streamline your workflow and communicate with patients more effectively—all from one easy-to-use location.
Note: This is not a user specific page in Flex—all users have access.
Why is This Page Important?
The Patient Profile Page in Flex helps you easily manage key aspects of a patient’s experience. Here’s what you can do in this section:
- Present treatment plans to patients.
- Send forms manually or share them in tablet mode.
- Easily view and update patient pictures in Open Dental through Flex.
- Set and manage how patients receive automated communication.
- See the history of sent reviews and send new ones when needed.
- Access documents and images in the Open Dental Imaging module through Flex, all in a cleaner, more optimized view.
- Check the status of insurance verifications or request on-demand when needed.
- Start a one-on-one text conversation with a patient.
- Process credit card payments and send statements with FlexPayments or Flex Integrated Payments.
How to Access the Patient Profile in Flex
From Open Dental:
This option is used after a user has logged into their Flex dashboard for the day. For information on how to log in, view these resources: “Where Can I Access Flex?” & “How Do I Log-In To Flex?”
- First, log into your custom Flex URL.
- Next, log into Open Dental.
- Search and Select a patient in Open Dental.
- Click the ‘Flex’ program link installed by the Flex Team.
Note: If you do not have this link, it is typically added during onboarding. However, if you need this link in Open Dental and have already completed onboarding training sessions, please contact Flex Support.
From Flex: How Do I Search For A Patient?
After searching and selecting a patient, you will be brought to the patient profile page.
What are the icons at the top, in the toolbar?
In the top left are several icons aligned horizontally.
- Web Forms
- Consent Forms
- Post Op Forms
- Membership/Discount Plan Forms (if enabled)
- Launch Tutorial
- Note: The
icon is found on every page in Flex and will redirect you to the Flex Homepage.
- Note: The
Web Forms 
-
Click to manually send forms as needed (text, email, or tablet mode). To bundle forms for families, use the plus icon (+) after selecting ‘Forms’.
- A flashing exclamation point ( ! ) will appear when forms are due. Once completed, the icon will return to the standard forms icon.
- When viewing the Flex Homepage, the need for forms is also shown next to the patient’s name on the schedule, using color-coded forms icons. Web forms display in blue.
- Web Forms are electronic forms available for selection within your Timeline. They can be sent automatically through the Appointment Booked messages, Email Reminder, and/or Email Confirmation.
- Form customization is managed in the Settings of Flex and is only accessible to Administrative users.
- Explore these resources to learn more about Web Forms, Tablets, and your Timeline in Flex:
Consent Forms 
- As with Web Forms, the default form icon changes to an exclamation point (!) on the day of the appointment—but only if the form is linked to a scheduled code and the patient or guardian’s signature is still needed. The icon reverts to the standard consent form icon once completed.
- You’ll get the most value by linking Open Dental treatment codes. Here’s a helpful resource to guide you: How to Link Treatment Codes to Consent Forms.
- When a scheduled procedure code is tied to a form, a gray paper icon appears next to the patient’s name on the Homepage.
- Consent forms can be sent and displayed individually or with both Consent and Present treatment plans. How Do I Email/Text A Treatment Plan? & How Do I View/Show Treatment Plans?
- Please note, this is not where dentists add their provider signature—we’ll cover that in an upcoming article. If you’re looking for a consent form that didn’t import into the patient’s chart, check your settings. A setting may be enabled that requires a provider signature before importing. Watch for this icon on your Homepage:
- Consent form customizations are managed by Administrative Users in the Consents section under the Forms tab in Settings.
- Here are a few additional resources to explore on Consent Forms:
Post-Op Forms 
- These forms are typically sent automatically when linked to Open Dental treatment codes.
- Use this icon to send Post-Op forms manually, when needed.
- Once sent, form history is recorded in the patient’s Open Dental Communications Log.
- View this resource in our Help Center for more information: How Do I Send Post-Op Forms?
Membership/Discount Plan Forms 
- If your practice offers a membership or discount plan for uninsured patients, your team can customize and enable these forms to electronically present each plan’s details neatly.
- Membership/Discount Plan forms are commonly presented to patients on a tablet while in the office.
- For information on customizing forms, Open Dental integration, and enrolling patients, view this helpful text guide: Membership Plan Overview.
Launch Tutorial - Toolbar Image 
- Clicking here activates on-screen prompts that explain more about the icons on the patient profile page.
- To exit the tutorial early, click 'skip' or anywhere outside the prompt window.
What are the icons on the sidebar?
This menu runs vertically alongside the patient’s details. You may see up to nine (9) icons, depending on your settings. Hover over an icon to preview its action, and click to take action.
Take Photo — Camera Icon
- With an office tablet, you can capture an image instantly and upload it directly to the patient chart in Open Dental. View this step-by-step guide: How Do I Take A Picture For A Patient?
- On a desktop, use this icon to upload a photo stored on your computer.
- Here are a couple of additional resources on using tablets with Flex:
Review Request - Star Icon
- Use this icon to manually request reviews from your patients.
- Both text and email options are available.
- Explore the following resources to learn more:
Text Patient - Chat Icon
- Click here to start a text conversation with your patient.
- The patient must have a mobile phone number on file in Open Dental for texting to be available.
- You can also start a text from the Homepage using the Communication icon and the Flex Communicator. For a quick walkthrough, check out this guide: How To Text Patients Using Flex.
Patient Reminder Settings - Gear Icon
- Use this icon to disable automated text and email notifications for a specific patient.
- You can choose to disable any of the following: Emails, Text Messages, Review Requests, and Unscheduled Treatment Reminders.
- Note: Disabling these options only stops messages sent by the Flex automated system. You can still send manual messages to your patient if needed.
- Here is a step-by-step guide for easy reference: How Do I Change Communication Preferences?
Patient Paperwork - Paper Icon
- Click this icon to view documents stored in the patient’s Open Dental imaging module.
- Files are organized by date and folder name, making it easy to locate what you need—helping your team stay efficient and focused on patient care.
View Images - Picture Icon
- Flex separates documents and images within the Patient Profile. This icon displays all saved patient images—organized by file name—providing a clear view of items like ID cards, insurance photos, and more. It simplifies the process of locating images, without needing to sift through documents.
Payments Users: Send Statement - Dollar Sign Icon
- Send individual statements to patients using this icon.
-
With Payments features activated in your Flex subscription, patients can pay directly from the statement.
- Note: While statements can be sent without payment activation, using Payments by Flex ensures you get paid—quickly and easily. Funds are automatically posted accurately to the patient’s account.
- Not using Payments by Flex yet? Use the link below to sign up and get started:
- Already using FlexPayments or Flex Integrated Payments and have questions about sending statements? These resources are here to guide you:
Payments Users: Charge Card - Card Icon
- Use this icon to prompt in-office payments through a terminal device from one our integrated merchant partners.
- Note: A connected terminal is required, and this feature is available exclusively to offices using FlexPayments or Flex Integrated Payments.
- If you haven’t yet signed up for FlexPayments, please refer to the section above for instructions on how to get started.
- Need help using this feature? Check out these resources on how to process in-office payments:
Payments Users: Manage Cards - Bank Icon- image
- Offices using Payments use this icon to manage stored cards that are on file for an individual patient.
- From here, you can view, update, or remove saved cards as needed.
- Need help? Check out these resources for guidance on managing stored cards and recurring payments:
Patient Information
- Patient Picture—This image is pulled directly from the patient picture field in Open Dental.
- The patient’s first name, preferred name, and last name displayed as entered in the Patient Information fields of Open Dental.
- Birthday is pulled from the 'Birthdate' field in Open Dental.
- Mobile Number displays the patient’s mobile number, as entered in Open Dental.
- Email Address shows the patient’s email address, as stored in Open Dental.
- Current Account Balance as displayed in the Open Dental Account module.
- New Patient Forms shows the date the patient completed these forms in Flex.
- Health History Update shows the date the patient last completed an update form in Flex.
- Next Appointment Date lists the next scheduled appointment for the patient.
- Review Last Sent displays the date the most recent review request was sent to the patient.
- Total Requests Sent shows the total number of review requests sent to the patient.
Insurance Details
- Primary and Secondary tabs.
- Insurance carrier name.
- Remaining benefits.
- Renewal Date.
- Last Verified Status.
- Last Verified Date.
- On Demand Button (if enabled).
If your office is not enrolled in FlexVerification, contact us today to get started!
- Visit our website: https://www.flex.dental/contact-us
- Start a chat in the bottom right corner of this guide.
Enrolled users: Unlock all the details and maximize your understanding of FlexVerification by exploring these resources:
Treatment Plans
- Consent version
- Present version
- Show Unscheduled Treatment
To dive deeper into Treatment Plans in Flex, visit the Help Center and explore these quick guides, conveniently linked for you:
If you found this information helpful, please like and/or comment below!
If you have questions, please contact Flex Support.
Thank you!
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