How to connect Open Dental to texting
Connecting Open Dental to Promptly takes about ten minutes and unlocks two-way patient texting, automatic appointment reminders, and recall reminders — all running off your live Open Dental schedule. Here's exactly how to do it.
Get your Open Dental API keys
In Open Dental, generate your Developer Key and Customer API Key (found under Setup → Advanced → API, or via Open Dental's API portal). These let Promptly securely read your patients and appointments. Keep them handy for the next step.
Open Promptly → Settings → Integrations
Log in to Promptly, open Settings, and choose Integrations. This is your practice-management connection hub.
Choose Open Dental and enter your keys
Click Connect, select Open Dental, and paste in your Server URL, Developer Key, and Customer Key. Your credentials are encrypted before they're stored.
Test the connection
Hit Test & Connect. Promptly verifies your keys and confirms it can reach Open Dental. If anything's off, you'll get a plain-English message telling you what to fix.
Run the initial sync
Choose Run initial sync. Promptly imports your patients, appointments, and providers, then keeps everything current automatically — syncing in the background every few minutes. No more CSV imports.
Turn on reminders and recall
Enable appointment reminders and recall/recare texts, and pick your timing. Promptly now texts patients automatically from your live Open Dental schedule, and confirmations write straight back to Open Dental. You're done. 🎉
What happens after you connect
- ✓ Patients and appointments stay in sync automatically — new bookings, reschedules, and cancellations included
- ✓ Appointment reminders send on your schedule; patients confirm with a one-letter reply
- ✓ Recall texts go to patients who are due but haven't rebooked — skipping anyone already booked
- ✓ Confirmations and cancellation requests write back to Open Dental — it stays your source of truth
- ✓ Every conversation shows the patient's next appointment and recent visits
Setup questions
Is my Open Dental data safe? ＋
Yes. Your API credentials and sensitive patient details are encrypted, every sync is logged, and Promptly never changes your Open Dental schedule — it only writes back explicitly supported actions like confirmations.
Do I still need to import CSV files? ＋
No. Once Open Dental is connected, Promptly keeps your patient list current automatically, so CSV imports go away.
How often does it sync? ＋
Automatically in the background every few minutes, and you can trigger a manual sync any time from the Integrations dashboard.