Unlocking the Power of Tasking in Open Dental

A Guide for Dental Practices

Effective task management can make or break the productivity of a dental office, especially when using robust software like Open Dental. Tasking in Open Dental goes beyond organizing your day—it provides a streamlined way to track workflows, communicate between departments, and ensure no detail falls through the cracks. Let’s explore how leveraging tasking in Open Dental can improve your practice's efficiency and revenue cycle management.

What is Tasking in Open Dental?

Tasking is a built-in feature of Open Dental that allows team members to create, assign, and monitor tasks across the office. Think of it as a digital “to-do list” that keeps your team on the same page while maintaining an audit trail for accountability. Tasks can range from following up on unpaid insurance claims to confirming patient appointments.

Key Benefits of Tasking in Open Dental

1. Improved Communication Across Teams

   • Tasking eliminates reliance on sticky notes or verbal reminders that can be forgotten. For example, a front desk team member can create a task for the billing department to follow up on a pending claim, providing all necessary details within the task itself.

   • You can even set notifications for when tasks are completed, ensuring accountability.

2. Streamlined Revenue Cycle Management

   • Use tasking to manage Accounts Receivable (AR). Assign tasks to team members for following up on insurance claims or patient balances. Make sure notes on follow-up actions are logged directly within the task for easy reference.

3. Tracking Workflow and Accountability

   • Tasks are date-stamped and assigned to specific team members, making it easy to monitor progress. Whether it’s sending out a second statement or contacting a patient about a balance, tasks create a clear path of action.

Tips for Making Tasking Work for Your Practice

1. Create Clear Guidelines
   Define which types of actions require tasks and who is responsible for them. For example, the billing coordinator might handle tasks related to insurance claims, while front desk staff focus on patient scheduling.

2. Leverage Task Lists and Prioritization
   Use categories and priority levels to organize tasks. Open Dental allows you to filter and sort tasks based on urgency or type.

3. Assign Ownership
   Avoid confusion by assigning each task to one person. This ensures someone is always responsible for completing or delegating the action.

4. Close the Loop
   Always mark tasks as complete once they’re done. This avoids duplication of effort and provides an accurate audit trail for future reference.

Final Thoughts

Tasking in Open Dental can revolutionize how your practice manages its daily operations and long-term goals. By implementing tasking best practices, you’ll enhance efficiency, improve patient experience, and strengthen your financial health.

Don’t just work harder—work smarter by integrating tasking into your daily workflows.