Dentrix Ascend Dental Case Study: Iowa Dental Associates
Iowa Dental Associates uses Dentrix Ascend to streamline their operations and stay accountable to their goals.
Disconnected practice management systems made it difficult for the Iowa Dental Associates management team to get a clear picture of what was happening at each of their dental offices. Dentrix Ascend gave them a way to keep each location connected and on track with their goals.
A Growing DSO
Dr. Shaun O’Neill founded Iowa Dental Associates in 2018, growing it from a single, multi-doctor practice to seven practices with 15 doctors in just three years. Dr. O’Neill explains, “We are a group of small practices located throughout northwest Iowa, mainly in rural communities.” With long distances between locations, the team needed a way to standardize processes, centralize data and stay accountable to their goals.
Bridging the Distance
Dr. O’Neill says some aspects of practice management across different locations were especially challenging. “The biggest challenge was just being able to communicate with all of our locations and training them to do things the same way,” Dr. O’Neill says. With locations running their own local practice management systems, it was difficult for the Iowa Dental Associates management team to access information at different locations without using a remote desktop system or even having to travel to that office.
“Dentrix Ascend has allowed my staff to not be so focused on completing tasks in the software that can otherwise be automated, but really focus instead on the patient care and the patient experience.”
Improved Communications and Patient Experience
When Iowa Dental Associates switched to Dentrix Ascend, Dr. O’Neill saw a clear difference in their day-to-day operations. “It unified all our locations to one software that was cloud based, so it’s accessible from anywhere,” Dr. O’Neill says. “It’s allowed my management team to become better managers through reporting, analytics and the automation of the system.” The Dentrix Ascend patient communication tools are especially useful for Iowa Dental Associates. “The communications are so much better than any system we’ve ever had before,” Dr. O’Neill says. “The patient can respond, it’s all automated, it’s all built in.”
Automating communications and other tasks lets the Iowa Dental Associates team focus on their patients, Dr. O’Neill says. “It’s cut down on the number of employees I have to have at the front desk doing different tasks,” he says. Plus, with their new systems in place, the team can focus on growing their business and providing excellent patient care. “It’s allowed my staff to not be so focused on completing tasks in the software that can otherwise be automated, but really focus instead on the patient care and the patient experience.”
“[With Dentrix Ascend] the communications are so much better than any system we’ve ever had before. The patient can respond, it’s all automated, it’s all built in.”
A Complete, Cloud-Based Solution
Dentrix Ascend’s comprehensive collection of software tools has increased efficiency throughout the organization. Bringing together key aspects of practice management in one system has benefitted everyone in the Iowa Dental Associates team. “I think the thing about Dentrix Ascend that is probably the most valuable is the integration of the imaging, communication platforms and everything in one software,” Dr. O’Neill says. “While you can add on external analytics and communication platforms, Dentrix Ascend has everything, internally, that you need.” With the ability to access patient ledgers, charts and more from anywhere, his team has been able to work more efficiently, regardless of their location, whether in the office or at home.
“I think the thing about Dentrix Ascend that is probably the most valuable is the integration of the imaging, communication platforms and everything in one software … Dentrix Ascend has everything, internally, that you need.”
Responsive Customer Service and Continuous Improvements
Another important benefit is the ongoing support and customer service that the Iowa Dental Associates team gets from Dentrix Ascend and Henry Schein One. “I think the customer service is awesome,” Dr. O’Neill says, adding that he is pleased with the responsive support that comes with Dentrix Ascend. “We can call them with questions on any aspect, from operations issues, processes or anything that we need training on,” he says. “If they don’t answer right away, they call us back within minutes, which is super convenient.”
Since becoming a Dentrix Ascend user, Dr. O’Neill has appreciated the continuous enhancements and additions to Dentrix Ascend. “They’re constantly looking for improvements, and they take feedback,” Dr. O’Neill notes. With the support they need to use their software as efficiently as possible, Iowa Dental Associates can focus on what matters most to them. “It just really allows us to focus on our patients versus focusing on processes that the system can do,” Dr. O’Neill says.
An Integral Tool for Growth
Dentrix Ascend has become an indispensable tool for Iowa Dental Associates. Dr. O’Neill says since switching to Dentrix Ascend, his team has been able to focus on growing and becoming more profitable. “Dentrix Ascend gives you so many opportunities and allows you to focus on scaling and growing and takes you away from focusing on your operations and your systems,” Dr O’Neill concludes, “Dentrix Ascend has been awesome for our locations.”
This case study is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. You should not act on the basis of any material contained herein without obtaining proper legal or other professional advice specific to your situation as needed. The views expressed by the individuals or other third parties herein are those of the individuals or third party and not, necessarily, of Henry Schein One, LLC.
Iowa Dental Associates
Founded by Dr. Shaun O’Neill in 2018, Iowa Dental Associates grew from a single multi-doctor location to a group of practices. It Includes 15 doctors at seven locations throughout northwest Iowa. They offer premium general dental services from whitening, exams, cleanings and restorative treatment to special services like emergency dentistry, braces, implants, digital dentistry (same day crowns, 3D imaging), and full arch rehabilitation.
