Open Dental setup guide

Before you connect

• A Burki workspace administrator account and a saved assistant.
• Practice authorization for Open Dental API reads and appointment creation, with an enabled customer API key belonging to Burki’s developer account.
• Open Dental and its eConnector running on the practice’s supported Windows installation. Confirm production API charges with Open Dental separately.
• An active primary dentist, an assigned non-hygiene operatory, an approved appointment duration and the practice timezone.

Review Burki usage pricing and your provider’s plan before a live test. Telephone calls, phone numbers and optional SMS can add charges; this guide does not promise a free provider plan.

Access and permissions

The practice API key is encrypted by Burki and is not shown after saving. The developer key is configured separately by Burki.

Enable patient lookup, availability and booking only on the assistants that need those actions. Updating the practice or appointment configuration disables prior assignments for review.

Connect and configure

1. Enable practice API access

   Have authorized practice staff enable the API and add the customer key in Open Dental. Confirm the eConnector is running.

2. Load the practice resources

   Open Integrations, select Open Dental, enter the Practice API key and choose Load practice resources.

3. Choose the appointment configuration

   Select the approved dentist and operatory, set the duration, timezone and appointment label, then save the connection.

4. Enable assistant actions

   In a saved assistant’s Actions tab, select the needed Open Dental actions. Ask for the patient’s name and date of birth and require confirmation of the offered time.

Test the workflow

Browser practice uses simulated patients and appointments. It does not query patient records or create bookings.

In an authorized test practice, verify patient matching, available times and a confirmed appointment in Open Dental before using the workflow with real patients.

Troubleshooting

Practice resources do not load

Check that the key belongs to the intended practice and Burki developer account, API access is enabled, and the eConnector is running.

No eligible provider, operatory or slot

Use an active primary dentist and a non-hygiene operatory assigned to that dentist. Check the practice schedule, duration and timezone.

Patient cannot be uniquely matched

Ask practice staff to verify the caller’s exact name and date of birth. Burki does not create new patient records.

Booking outcome is uncertain

Ask staff to inspect Open Dental before trying again. Do not assume a connectivity error means the appointment was not created.

Disconnect safely

1. Remove the Open Dental actions from one assistant to stop that assistant using the practice.
2. Choose Disconnect Open Dental in workspace Integrations to disable the connection and assistant actions.
3. Revoke the customer key separately in Open Dental to remove provider access. Disconnecting does not cancel appointments or delete patient records.

Data and support

Patient identity details are used to find one existing patient. Confirmed appointment details are sent to Open Dental. New patient registration, hygiene, clinical procedures, changes and cancellations require practice staff. Do not include patient records or API keys in support messages.

Burki’s privacy policy explains retention and data requests. Your workspace settings and applicable terms govern your account. Disconnecting an integration is separate from requesting deletion. See the terms of service for service conditions.