How to Create Events in Dentrix
If you want a simple way to organize your Dentrix schedule, block off time, create reminders, or schedule recurring meetings, using Events in Dentrix can be incredibly helpful.
Events allow you to place customizable blocks directly on the appointment schedule without scheduling an actual patient appointment. They’re great for team meetings, provider reminders, birthdays, office notes, lunch blocks, training sessions, and more.
In this tutorial, I’m walking you through exactly how to create, edit, and delete events in Dentrix.
What Are Events in Dentrix?
Events are schedule blocks that appear directly in the Dentrix Appointment Book. They can be used to:
- Block time on the schedule
- Add reminders for staff
- Schedule recurring meetings
- Mark birthdays or office celebrations
- Add notes or important announcements
- Organize provider or operatory schedules
Unlike patient appointments, events are primarily for internal scheduling and organization.
How to Create an Event in Dentrix
To create an event in Dentrix:
- Open the Appointment Book
- Right-click anywhere on the schedule where you want the event
- Select Schedule Event
This opens the Event Setup window where you can customize all of the event details.
Selecting Operatories
Inside the Event Setup window, you can choose which operatories the event applies to.
For example:
- A team meeting may apply to every operatory
- A provider vacation may only apply to one column
- A reminder may only need to appear in one area
You can:
- Select individual operatories
- Or click All to apply the event everywhere
Setting Event Times
Next, choose:
- Start time
- End time
You can also:
- Block the operatory for the full day
- Create recurring events for future dates
This is especially useful for:
- Weekly team meetings
- Monthly office events
- Recurring reminders
- Continuing education days
For recurring events, simply:
- Choose the recurrence pattern
- Select the days you want
- Set an end date for the series
Example:
Every Monday at 8:00 AM for a weekly team meeting.
Adding Event Descriptions and Notes
The Description field is what displays directly on the schedule.
For example:
- Team Meeting
- Doctor Out
- Staff Lunch
- Call Insurance
- Birthday Celebration
You can also:
- Center the text
- Customize the event color
- Add additional notes
The Notes section is useful for adding extra details that staff can view when opening the event.
Changing Event Colors
Dentrix allows you to customize event colors to make your schedule easier to read.
Many offices use color coding for things like:
- Meetings
- Provider vacations
- Administrative reminders
- Training days
- Office closures
This helps the schedule stay visually organized at a quick glance.
Editing an Event
If you need to make changes later, simply:
- Double-click the event
- Update the information
- Click OK
You can also drag the event longer or shorter directly from the schedule, just like adjusting a patient appointment.
Deleting Events in Dentrix
To delete a one-time event:
- Right-click the event
- Select Delete Event
- Confirm deletion
If the event is part of a recurring series, Dentrix will ask whether you want to:
- Delete only this occurrence
- Or delete the entire series
This is especially helpful for recurring meetings or reminders that occasionally need to be canceled.
Events vs Office Hours in Dentrix
One important distinction:
Events are best for reminders and temporary schedule blocks.
If you need to:
- Fully block provider schedules
- Change office hours
- Set holidays or vacations
- Close operatories long-term
It’s usually better to use Office Hours settings instead. HOW TO SET OFFICE HOURS
Events work best for flexible, temporary scheduling needs.
Final Thoughts
Events are one of the easiest ways to keep your Dentrix schedule organized and improve communication within your office.
Whether you’re managing meetings, reminders, vacations, or scheduling notes, learning how to properly use events can help your team stay more efficient and organized throughout the day.
If you’re looking for more Dentrix tutorials and real-world dental office workflow tips, be sure to check out my other videos and subscribe to my YouTube channel for new training content every week.