Connecting Dentistry Through APIs
Every dental support organization (DSO) and dental group has tasks that seem to consume more time than they should—calling insurance carriers, manually inputting patient data, or navigating multiple systems to generate reports. These necessary but inefficient processes can weigh heavily on productivity and patient care.
APIs (application programming interfaces) in dentistry are changing the way organizations tackle these challenges. By creating efficient connections between systems, APIs allow data to flow faster, more securely, and with less manual effort.
This was a key theme explored during a webinar hosted by the Association of Dental Support Organizations (ADSO), where experts highlighted the critical role of APIs in advancing dental operations.
How Do APIs Improve Dental Operations?
Dental team members are able to provide better patient care and customer service when they aren’t spending their time on data entry, information verification, or unproductive phone calls.
For example, it can take at least ten minutes to verify a patient’s insurance benefits when the team member needs to call the carrier—and it frequently takes longer. However, it only takes seconds for an API to share the patient data in the insurance carrier’s computer with a cloud-based practice management system.
“By using APIs to integrate systems, we improve interoperability, patient engagement, automation, security, and operational efficiencies,” said Joel Olivio at Dental Care Alliance, one of the largest DSOs in the country with more than four hundred locations.
How Do APIs Benefit DSOs and Dental Groups?
APIs can streamline every aspect of the patient journey, from patient acquisition and scheduling to clinical care, revenue cycle management (RCM), and patient communications.
“As a product manager, I start thinking about the key problems that practices are having and how we can increase practice efficiency, save time, and provide visibility into their operational and financial analytics so they can take action and achieve their desired outcomes,” said Kameron So, head of API and integration strategy at Planet DDS.
By addressing these challenges, APIs provide substantial benefits for DSOs and dental groups in several areas:
1. Automates manual tasks
Labor-intensive processes like insurance verification, scheduling, and billing often slow down dental operations. For example, verifying insurance manually requires significant time and effort. However, automation through APIs streamlines these tasks. APIs can automatically verify insurance details and update the patient ledger without any manual intervention, saving time and reducing data entry errors.
By eliminating the repetitive nature of these tasks, dental teams can allocate their time to higher-value activities, such as improving patient care and enhancing the overall patient experience.
2. Eliminates data silos
Sophisticated practice management systems like Denticon use APIs to integrate applications directly within their platforms. This ensures operational efficiency and enables real-time data exchange. Without this integration, teams often have to toggle between systems, leaving the practice management software to open new browser windows for additional information.
Breaking down these silos can improve efficiency and reduce the risk of errors that can occur when data is transferred manually across disconnected systems.
3. Creates a custom tech stack
DSOs have unique operational needs that require tailored technology solutions. APIs enable organizations to build a customized tech stack designed specifically for their workflows. At Planet DDS, this approach is embodied in the DentalOS™ platform, an open API ecosystem akin to an app store, where DSOs can select best-in-class tools that meet their precise requirements.
This customization empowers DSOs to leverage technology that aligns with their goals, ensuring their systems work in harmony while enhancing flexibility and scalability.
4. Enables faster technology adoption
APIs simplify the adoption of new technology, such as Apteryx AI-powered tools, or patient retention systems. They also allow for the frequent deployment of innovative features, ensuring dental support organizations stay ahead of technological advancements.
By providing a foundation for rapid integration, APIs minimize disruption during the implementation of new tools, allowing DSOs to take advantage of cutting-edge solutions with minimal downtime.
5. Supports rapid scalability
Integrations powered by APIs allow DSOs and dental groups to scale their operations without the limitations of outdated or incompatible systems. As DSOs grow, their ability to maintain communication between systems becomes critical.
With APIs, organizations can expand confidently, knowing their technology infrastructure will support growth rather than hinder it.
6. Reduces development costs
APIs developed by vendors facilitate communication between systems, reducing the need for DSOs to invest heavily in custom development. “That’s a huge savings for us,” said Olivio. “Combine that with the increase in data accessibility and the reduction in human data entry errors, and I could go on and on about how APIs are creating deeper efficiencies for dentistry across the industry. It’s been great to see.”
This cost-effectiveness allows DSOs to allocate resources toward other strategic initiatives, further driving operational efficiencies.
7. Improves insurance eligibility verification
For decades, verifying dental insurance eligibility was a slow and tedious process. Team members had to log into carrier web portals, make phone calls, or even wait for faxed information. Verification could take anywhere from ten to twenty minutes—or longer, depending on system errors or delays.
AirPay, a leader in solving this issue, uses APIs to verify eligibility for patients. “Now we can verify one hundred patients in seconds. Having the API connection is really a game-changer,” said Dr. Derek Giddon, founder of AirPlay. Through these integrations, Denticon receives eligibility information securely and updates it within the system, eliminating the need for manual intervention.
This real-time verification capability is especially valuable for walk-in patients. “Patients can walk in today and we can do the insurance verification on-the-fly while the patient is being seen, and we’ll know exactly what their benefits are, what the insurance will cover, and what their out-of-pocket cost will be,” said Olivio.
8. Streamlines claims and payment posting
Managing claims and posting payments used to require dental teams to access payer portals manually, retrieve Explanation of Benefits (EOBs), and input payment data into their practice management systems. This process was time-consuming and prone to errors.
APIs have automated much of this workflow, reducing the manual effort required and paving the way for additional innovations in dentistry. The ultimate goal is to create a system where data from insurance carriers updates patient ledgers automatically, applies payments accurately, and notifies patients about payment statuses.
This level of automation speeds up claims resolution, ensures quicker payment posting, and reduces administrative burdens.
Leverage APIs for Modern Dental Operations
Whether it’s facilitating patient care by making it easier to schedule appointments, complete paperwork, or confirm insurance eligibility, APIs are an integral part of the modern dental practice.
“From a DSO perspective, and for the dental industry in general, you have to get on the API train,” said Olivio. “You want to be up-to-date with technology and getting data to your staff and your patients faster, automating your workflows, and enhancing all facets of the industry. It’s the way of the future.”
The ability to streamline workflows and improve data accessibility has made APIs a driver of progress with DSOs and multi-location practices. From reducing manual processes to creating more connected systems, APIs empower organizations to operate with greater efficiency while enhancing patient and dental team experiences alike.
Ready to unlock the potential of APIs for your organization? Reach out to Planet DDS today to see how our team can support your operational goals.
