A patient calls because a back tooth is "in rough shape" — the dentist mentioned a large filling at the last visit, or a sizable piece broke off and they want it handled before it gets worse. They're ready to book, but first they want to know how long the appointment runs, what it will cost, and whether the tooth can still be saved. Your front desk is mid-checkout, the other line is ringing, and this caller drops to voicemail. A callback an hour later often reaches someone who has started to put it off. Extensive restorations are some of the most valuable visits you book, so a dropped call here hurts twice.
DentalReception AI answers every one of those calls in under two rings and books the visit live, 24/7 — writing the appointment directly into your schedule in Dentrix, Open Dental, Eaglesoft, Curve Dental, or CareStack while the patient is still on the line.
Informational only — not clinical, coding, or billing advice; confirm CDT definitions and coverage independently. This page describes call handling only. The AI captures and routes; it does not diagnose, assign codes, or quote coverage.
What a D2394 call usually sounds like
D2394 is widely published as the CDT code for a resin-based composite restoration of four or more surfaces on a posterior tooth — a multi-surface tooth-colored back-tooth filling. We state it only at that conservative level; confirm the official CDT definition and any payer rules with your clinical and billing teams.
On the phone, patients never use a code or count surfaces. They say they "have a big cavity," "broke a back tooth badly," "lost a large filling," or "the dentist said one tooth needs a lot of work." The AI receptionist recognizes that as a restorative booking request and captures the appointment — it does not interpret the diagnosis or decide how extensive the work is.
What the AI can safely capture and schedule
For a routine filling request, the agent handles the booking without a human:
- Confirms the patient and pulls their record so the visit lands on the correct chart and provider.
- Offers and books an open restorative slot in the right column, live during the call. See appointment scheduling.
- Captures or refreshes insurance details so intake is clean before the visit — see insurance verification.
- Notes what the patient described — which tooth, any sensitivity — and writes a clear summary for your team. See filling calls.
What must be routed to clinical staff
The line is simple: the AI captures and schedules, it never advises. These go to your team, not the agent:
- Clinical questions — how extensive the damage is, whether a crown or other treatment is needed instead, pain that sounds urgent, or what's appropriate. The agent does not diagnose.
- Coverage and cost specifics — whether a plan covers the restoration, annual maximums, or out-of-pocket amounts. It collects details and relays the question rather than quoting an answer.
- Code or billing requests — patients asking what will be billed are routed to staff.
Anything beyond a clean booking becomes a task or transfer for the front desk.
Context passed into your PMS
Because the booking writes back in real time, your team opens each appointment ready to go:
| Captured on the call | Written to the PMS |
|---|---|
| Patient identity / record match | Linked to existing chart |
| Filling / restorative intent | Appointment booked in correct column |
| Tooth or symptom the patient described | Noted for clinical review |
| Insurance details (if new or changed) | Attached to record for verification |
| Questions needing a human | Task flagged for front desk |
Works alongside your existing workflows — see filling calls and the confirmed integrations.
Frequently asked questions
Does the AI assign the D2394 code to the appointment?
No. The agent captures the patient's request to be seen and books the visit; it does not assign, confirm, or bill any CDT code, and it does not decide how many surfaces are involved or how extensive the restoration is. Surface count and code selection stay with your clinical and billing staff at the point of care. The reference to D2394 here is informational only — confirm the official CDT definition independently. The AI recognizes restorative intent, books the appointment, and writes a clear summary for your team.
Can it tell a patient whether their filling is covered?
It collects and relays, it does not quote. The agent captures the patient's carrier and member details and can answer the general coverage questions you configure. Anything specific — annual maximums, plan benefits, or out-of-pocket cost — is routed to your team rather than guessed. That keeps coverage statements with the people authorized to make them, while still moving the booking forward live on the call.
What if the tooth might need a crown instead of a filling?
The agent does not make that determination. When a patient describes extensive damage to a back tooth, the AI does not decide between a large filling and a crown — it captures what was described, books the visit your team configures for that intent, and flags anything ambiguous for clinical review. A dentist decides the right treatment at the point of care. See crown calls for how related requests are handled.
Does the booking actually land in our schedule?
Yes. For Dentrix, Open Dental, Eaglesoft, Curve Dental, and CareStack, the appointment writes back into your live schedule in real time while the patient is on the call — no re-keying. For other systems, DentalReception AI connects via API or works alongside your existing tools. Every call still produces a summary and any needed task so nothing falls through the cracks.