A general dentist's office just faxed a referral, and the patient is calling your oral surgery practice to schedule removal of a lesion that isn't tooth-related. They're nervous and want to know how soon they can be seen, with questions nobody at the front desk should answer. But the desk is on another line, so the call drops to voicemail. By the time someone calls back, the patient has phoned the next surgeon on the list. These referrals are among the most valuable calls your office takes — and the easiest to lose, since roughly a quarter to a third of dental calls go unanswered.
DentalReception AI answers every one of those calls in under two rings and books the consult 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 D7460 call usually sounds like
D7460 is widely published as the CDT code for removal of a benign nonodontogenic cyst or tumor — lesion up to 1.25 cm. 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, the patient never references a code. They say their dentist "found a cyst that isn't from a tooth," they were "sent to a specialist," or they "need a lump removed." The AI receptionist treats this as a referral or surgical-consult request to capture — not a clinical case to interpret.
What the AI can safely capture and schedule
For a referral or consult request, the agent handles the booking logistics on its own:
- Identifies new vs. existing patient and pulls or creates the record so the visit lands on the right chart. See new patient calls.
- Books the consult or surgical slot in the correct provider column, live during the call. See appointment scheduling.
- Captures the referring provider and insurance details so intake is clean before the visit.
- Writes a clear summary to the record so your surgical team is ready. See call summaries.
This is a natural fit for an oral surgery practice, where missing a referral call means losing the procedure entirely.
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 — what the lesion is, whether it's dangerous, symptoms, or anything about the diagnosis.
- Coverage and cost specifics — plan coverage, pre-authorization, or out-of-pocket estimates. The agent collects details and relays the question rather than quoting an answer.
- Pre-surgical and medical questions — anesthesia, medications, or prep are routed to clinical staff.
Anything beyond a clean booking becomes a task or live transfer for your front desk.
Context passed into your PMS
Because the booking writes back in real time, your team opens each consult ready to go:
| Captured on the call | Written to the PMS |
|---|---|
| Patient identity / record match | Linked to existing or new chart |
| Referral / lesion-removal intent | Consult booked in correct column |
| Referring provider and insurance details | Attached for verification |
| Clinical or cost questions | Task flagged for your team |
Frequently asked questions
Does the AI assign the D7460 code or interpret the lesion?
No. The agent captures the patient's referral or consult request and books the visit; it does not assign, confirm, or bill any CDT code, and it does not interpret or describe the lesion. Those decisions belong to your clinical team at the point of care. The reference to D7460 here is informational only — confirm the official CDT definition independently. The AI recognizes a surgical-consult intent, books the appointment in the right column, and writes a clear summary for staff.
What's the difference between this and a routine appointment?
For a routine visit, the agent simply books an open slot. For a surgical referral, it still books — but it also captures the referring provider and reason, flags the call for your team, and routes any clinical or cost questions to a human. The patient gets a fast appointment; your staff gets full context and control over everything the AI isn't authorized to handle.
Can it tell the patient whether the removal is covered?
It collects and relays, it does not quote. The agent captures the patient's carrier and member details and answers only the general questions you configure. Anything specific — coverage, pre-authorization, or out-of-pocket cost — is routed to your insurance team rather than guessed, keeping cost and benefits statements with the people authorized to make them.
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.