Dentrix Voice is a voice-activated perio charting system that integrates with the Dentrix Perio Chart so you can document periodontal health in the Perio Chart without touching the keyboard.
Use these resources to get started with Dentrix Voice and the Dentrix Perio Chart.
Ordering Microphones
Before you begin installation or training, make sure you have an approved microphone on hand. Use the link below to browse and purchase from our list of approved microphones. Be sure to allow enough time for delivery.
Wired microphones typically come with 6-foot or 20-foot cords. These are ideal for stationary setups.
Wireless headsets offer more freedom of movement and include rechargeable batteries.
Wearable battery pack models provide extended mobility. If you choose this option, keep spare batteries available to avoid interruptions.
Select Input Device in Windows
Once your microphone is connected, follow these steps to set it up in Windows:
Open Settings from the Start menu.
Navigate to System > Sound.
Under Input, select your microphone from the list of available devices.
Make sure your microphone is set as the default input device. You can test it by speaking and watching the input volume bar respond. This confirms that Windows is receiving audio from the correct source.
Optimizing Voice Dictation for Accurate and Efficient Use
To ensure the best possible experience with voice dictation tools like Dentrix Voice and the Bola Voice Assistant, it's important to set up your environment and equipment thoughtfully. Here are some key recommendations:
Microphone Placement
Begin by adjusting the microphone to find the optimal position for clear voice capture.
Ideally, the microphone should be placed directly in front of your mouth, no more than two feet away. This helps reduce distortion and ensures your speech is picked up accurately.
If you're using a lapel microphone, attaching it to the center of your chest area—such as the collar or upper shirt—can provide consistent audio quality while keeping the mic unobtrusive.
Minimizing Background Noise
Ambient sounds such as machinery and conversations in the office can interfere with voice recognition accuracy.
During periodontal exams or other dictation-heavy tasks, aim to minimize background noise. This includes turning off nearby devices, closing doors, and asking colleagues to limit speech in the vicinity.
A quieter environment allows the Dentrix Voice to process your commands more reliably and respond more quickly, improving overall workflow efficiency.
Other Tips
Speak clearly and at a natural pace. Avoid rushing or mumbling.
Perform a quick test before starting a session to confirm the system is picking up your voice correctly.
If issues persist, consider repositioning the microphone or checking for software updates that may improve recognition.
Dentrix Voice is powered by the Bola AI Voice Assistant.
To install it:
Click the Download Bola Voice Assistant button.
Once the download is complete, open your Downloads folder.
Right-click the installation file and select Run as administrator.
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.
After installation, you'll be prompted to enter your license key. This key will be sent to you in a seperate email, near the time you received your welcome email. Just copy it and paste it into the Bola Voice Assistant window to activate your software.
Tip: After installation, consider pinning the Bola Voice Assistant icon so it is easy for your clinicians to access.
To pin it to the taskbar:
Click the Start menu and search for "Bola Voice Assistant."
Right-click the app in the search results.
Select Pin to Taskbar.
To create a desktop shortcut:
Click the Start menu and search for "Bola Voice Assistant."
Right-click the app and choose Open File Location.
In the File Explorer window, right-click the Bola shortcut and select Send to > Desktop (create shortcut).
Selecting the Script within Dentrix
Select the correct script within the Dentrix Perio Chart.
Select any patient and open the Patient Chart. Then open the Perio Chart (Patient Chart > Options > Perio).
Using the Script menu, select the Bola Migration Path.
To access the Bola AI training system,
From the Bola Voice Assistant main menu, click Options. Then select Training System.
If another team member has completed the training, you can reset them using the link at the bottom of the menu.
The Bola Voice Assistant also includes a Demo App to interactively train with. To access these, choose Options, then Getting Started, and under the category Training Simulator choose the “Bola Demo App” button.
Dentrix Voice is designed to be easy and intuitive to use.
Watch this video for an example of how to get started.
Dentrix Voice can be used to dictate notes, including clinical notes.
Watch this video to learn how to dictate clinical notes using Dentrix Voice. (Duration 1:33)
Opening the Dentrix Perio Chart
The Dentrix Perio Chart is an easy-to-use chairside periodontal tool where you can record your patients' perio measurements. However, you can only open the Perio Chart from within a patient's Patient Chart.
Watch this video to learn how to open the Perio Chart. (Duration 0:26)
Additional Information
For your convivence, you can view exam data numerically in the Perio Chart's Data Chart and simultaneously view a graphic representation of the same data in the patient's Graphic Chart.
You can generate a list of patients who have saved perio exams from Office Manager > Reports > Lists > Perio Exam List.
Using the Dentrix Perio Chart, you can record many perio measurements, such as probing depths, gingival margins, clinical attachment levels, mucogingival junctions, bleeding and suppuration points, etc. The Perio Chart also includes automatic calculation formulas, which expedites the charting process by eliminating the need to measure multiple indicators.
Watch this video to learn how to enter perio measurements. (Duration 2:46)
Additional Information
You can enter measurements using computer keyboard shortcuts. To learn how, read Entering Perio Measurements in Dentrix Help.
The Perio Chart features a specially designed note tool to help you
record diagnostic and summary information, including periodontal case
typing using the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP)
classifications. With this tool you can create templates and record
notes to supplement your periodontal exams.
Watch this video to learn how to enter perio exam information. (Duration
1:39)
Additional Information
When you save a Perio exam, you save the Perio classifications and exam information as well.
You can attach Perio exam information to insurance claims and print the Perio exam information.
After you've entered perio exams, Dentrix offers several options to help you manage these exams. These include opening existing exams; saving, editing, and deleting exams; changing exam dates and providers; and, printing exams and reports.
Watch this video to learn how to manage perio exams. (Duration 2:25)
Additional Information
Once you delete an exam, you cannot recover its information except by restoring a database backup.
If you edit an exam and save it, you cannot retrieve the previous revision's information.
You cannot delete, edit, or change a perio exam's date or provider if the exam has been moved into history with the "Move Perio Exams to History" function in the Dentrix Task Scheduler.
We all have individual tastes and preferences, which might include how you conduct perio exams. Dentrix gives you the flexibility to create customized perio navigation scripts to match how you record data during perio exams — from tooth to tooth.
Watch this video to learn more customize perio navigation scripts. (Duration 3:35)
Additional Information
While you cannot edit or delete scripts that come preloaded with Dentrix, you can create custom scripts tailored to your charting methods, which you can also edit and delete. You can also copy and export these scripts to a file to import them to another workstation.
Customized scripts can be named for the specific provider who created them or any name that works best for your practice and/or providers. For example, you can create a script that only measures the probing depths and gingival margins and name it “PD & GM”.
When you select a script on that workstation, the workstation will remember that script until it is changed on the same workstation.
The term “left” and “right” refer to the distal and mesial surfaces, respectively, from the provider's perspective.
You can list tooth numbers separately when creating a script. If you do, separate the tooth numbers with commas. If you enter a range of tooth numbers, use a hyphen to separate the ranges.
You can also create custom scripts that do NOT perform automatic calculations. While editing the script, change the Automatic Calculation menu to No Calculation.
Videos on this YouTube playlist include topics such as getting started, charting pocket depth, bleeding and recession, fixing errors and navigation and charting suppuration, mobility and furcation.
Need additional help? Contact the Dentrix Support Team for assistance with Dentrix Voice.
