Step 1: Start in the Patient Chart

Before charting anything, open the patient’s chart and locate the toolbar at the top of the screen. You’ll see three key charting modes:

• Green EO – Existing Other (used for restorations completed outside your office)

• Blue EO– Work completed in your office

• Red TX – Treatment Plan

For charting existing restorations, you always want to select the green EO icon.

This ensures you’re documenting past dental work and not accidentally placing items into the treatment plan.

Step 2: Turn On Auto State to Save Clicks

One of the biggest time-saving features in Dentrix is Auto State (the light switch icon).

When Auto State is:

• Off → You must reselect charting settings for every entry

• On → Dentrix remembers your last selection and reduces extra clicks

To work efficiently:

1. Turn Auto State on

2. Confirm the green EO icon is selected

3. Begin charting

This eliminates repetitive steps and keeps your workflow smooth.

Step 3: Charting an Existing Restoration

Once you’re in EO mode with Auto State on:

1. Click the tooth

2. Select the restoration type

3. Choose surfaces if prompted

4. Click OK

Example:
If tooth #14 has an existing occlusal composite:

• Click tooth #14

• Select composite

• Choose occlusal surface

• Confirm

The restoration will appear immediately in the chart.

Step 4: Use Procedure Buttons for Faster Charting

Procedure buttons are one of the best ways to speed up charting.

If your office has these set up:

• They allow you to enter restorations with one click

• They reduce searching and manual code entry

• They help maintain consistency across team members

If you don’t have them set up yet, I highly recommend doing so. They can significantly reduce charting time, especially during new patient exams. [Procedure Button Step by Step Tutorial]

Alternatively, you can:

• Browse procedures by category

• Search by keyword

• Enter dental codes directly

Step 5: Batch Charting for Maximum Efficiency

Batch charting is a huge time saver when patients have multiple similar restorations.

Example:
If a patient has occlusal amalgams on several molars:

1. Select all applicable teeth

2. Choose the restoration

3. Click “Use for All”

Dentrix will apply the restoration to every selected tooth at once.

This works great for:

• Multiple crowns

• Similar fillings

• PFMs

• Repeated restorations across quadrants

Step 6: Charting Conditions (Missing Teeth, Extractions, etc.)

Charting conditions is just as important as charting restorations.

To chart missing teeth:

1. Select all missing teeth

2. Choose the missing condition

3. Apply in one step

You can quickly document:

• Extracted teeth

• Wisdom teeth removal

• Congenital absence

Batch selection helps keep this process quick and organized.

Step 7: Progress Notes Update Automatically

As you chart, Dentrix automatically logs entries in the progress notes.

This provides:

• A time-stamped record

• Documentation of chart updates

• Legal and clinical protection

Reviewing progress notes can also help you verify accuracy before completing the appointment.

Why I Always Take Intraoral Photos

Charting is important, but photos provide visual confirmation.

For every new patient, I capture intraoral images of existing restorations. This creates a visual baseline that helps with:

• Monitoring changes over time

• Patient education

• Documentation

• Treatment planning discussions

I personally use cameras from MouthWatch because they are affordable, easy to use, and provide clear, reliable images. Having one in each operatory makes documentation seamless.

If you order a MouthWatch Camera – use code: JAIMETECH for FREE Shipping

My New Patient Charting Workflow

Here’s the order I follow for efficiency:

1. Identify missing teeth first

2. Batch chart similar restorations

3. Enter unique restorations individually

4. Capture intraoral photos

5. Review progress notes

6. Confirm chart accuracy before moving on

This system keeps appointments running on time while ensuring thorough documentation.

Final Thoughts

Charting existing restorations in Dentrix doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With the right settings and workflow, it becomes a fast, repeatable process that improves both patient care and office efficiency.

Key takeaways:

• Always use the green EO mode

• Turn on Auto State

• Use procedure buttons whenever possible

• Batch chart to save time

• Support documentation with intraoral photos

If you want to see this entire process demonstrated step-by-step, you can watch the full tutorial on my YouTube channel.