How to Set Default Procedure Times in Dentrix
When scheduling appointments in Dentrix, one of the easiest ways to save time is by setting default procedure times.
Instead of manually adjusting the length of every appointment, Dentrix can automatically fill in the correct amount of time based on the procedure code. Once this is set up, your team can schedule appointments faster and keep the schedule more accurate.
In this guide, I’ll show you where to set procedure times in Dentrix and how it affects appointment scheduling.
Why Default Procedure Times Matter in Dentrix
Every time a procedure is added to an appointment, Dentrix looks at the procedure code setup to determine how much time should be scheduled.
If those times aren’t configured correctly, you may notice things like:
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Appointments being scheduled with the wrong amount of time
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Front desk staff manually adjusting appointment length
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Inconsistent scheduling between team members
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A schedule that slowly becomes inaccurate throughout the day
Setting default procedure times ensures that appointments automatically schedule with the correct length every time.
Where Dentrix Stores Procedure Time Settings
Procedure times are set inside Procedure Code Setup in the Office Manager.
To find this area:
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Open Office Manager
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Click Maintenance
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Select Practice Setup
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Click Procedure Code Setup
This is where Dentrix stores the settings for every procedure in your office, including the default time units assigned to each procedure.
How Dentrix Calculates Appointment Time
Dentrix measures time using units.
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1 unit = 10 minutes
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6 units = 60 minutes
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12 units = 2 hours
When a procedure is scheduled, Dentrix automatically adds the number of time units assigned to that code.
For example:
| Procedure | Time Units | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| Prophy | 6 | 60 minutes |
| Crown | 12 | 2 hours |
| Exam | 0 | No additional time |
| Bitewings | 0 | No additional time |
This setup allows your office to control exactly how much time gets scheduled when procedures are added to appointments.
Example: Setting a Prophy Appointment to 60 Minutes
Many offices prefer to schedule hygiene appointments like a prophy for 60 minutes.
To do this:
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Open Procedure Code Setup
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Locate the Prophy code
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Click Edit
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Find the Procedure Time field
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Set the time to 6 units (60 minutes)
Now whenever a prophy is added to an appointment, Dentrix will automatically schedule one hour.
Why Exams and Bitewings Are Often Set to 0 Minutes
In hygiene appointments, multiple procedures are usually performed during the same block of time.
For example:
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Prophy
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Exam
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Bitewings
If each of those procedures had time assigned, Dentrix would stack the time and extend the appointment unnecessarily.
Instead, many offices set:
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Exam = 0 minutes
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Bitewings = 0 minutes
This keeps the appointment at 60 minutes total, while still allowing those procedures to be charted and billed.
Adjusting Restorative Procedure Times
This same setup can be used for restorative appointments.
For example, if your doctor prefers:
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Crown preparation = 2 hours
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Composite filling = 60 minutes
You can edit those procedure codes and assign the appropriate time units.
Once configured, scheduling becomes much easier because Dentrix will automatically fill the appointment length when the procedure is added.
The Real Benefit: Faster Scheduling
Once your procedure times are configured correctly, your scheduling team will notice several improvements:
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Less manual adjustment when booking appointments
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More consistent scheduling across team members
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A more accurate daily schedule
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Faster appointment booking
It’s a small setup change, but it can save your team time every single day.
Final Thoughts
Setting default procedure times in Dentrix is a simple adjustment that can significantly improve your scheduling workflow.
If your team is constantly adjusting appointment lengths manually, it’s worth taking a few minutes to review your procedure code setup and time units.
Once these are configured correctly, Dentrix will automatically schedule the appropriate amount of time for each procedure.
If you want more Dentrix tips, dental software tutorials, and workflow improvements for dental teams, check out the full video library on my YouTube channel: