October 16, 2019

When looking at a patient’s graphic chart, the paint colors and marking styles can easily help identify work that is existing, completed, or treatment planned. Dentrix Ascend comes with a set of default symbols, and includes the flexibility to configure the paint scheme so that the symbols will be especially meaningful in your practice. Here are a couple of ideas to get you started:

#1 – Differentiate between the current GP and a previous GP
For this effect, you will need to implement alias codes in your configuration, for example D2750 for the current general practitioner and 2750.1 for previous general practitioner(s) outside of the practice. Side-by-side two crowns could look like this:

#2 – Show a Pulpotomy for a Pedo Patient
By default, Dentrix Ascend does not assign a charting symbol to procedure D3220 (and others). All you have to do is assign the root canal symbol, and you’re good to go.

How to make the assignments:

1. Open the Procedure Codes & Conditions page under Settings.

2. Search for and select a procedure code to open its Edit Procedure Code window. The Charting symbol section shows the current selection.

3. Click the arrow to open a menu of options. Scroll through the list, and click the variation you prefer to make it the new style. Click Save.

Additional Information

  • You cannot change the paint colors; they will always be red for treatment-planned procedures, light blue for existing conditions, and dark blue for completed procedures.
  • Your configuration options will vary depending on the specific procedure you select.
  • Symbol changes are retroactive; existing charts will change when you save a new option. You must refresh your screen before you see the change take effect.
  • Charting symbol changes are organization-wide. If you are a multi-location organization especially, you may find it helpful to communicate and coordinate with each other before making any changes to charting symbols.