The IPD module is available on Pro+ and Enterprise plans only. If your clinic does not see this feature, check your subscription plan or contact support to enable it.
When to use IPD
Most dental clinics operate on an outpatient basis, but some clinical scenarios require overnight stays:Oral surgery recovery
Complex extractions, jaw surgery, or implant procedures requiring post-operative observation.
Sedation monitoring
Patients under IV sedation or general anesthesia who need monitored recovery time.
Emergency trauma
Facial trauma or dental emergencies where the patient needs stabilization before discharge.
Multi-stage procedures
Planned procedures spanning multiple days where sending the patient home between stages is impractical.
Creating an admission
Assign the attending doctor
Select the doctor who will be responsible for the patient during their stay.
Enter admission details
Fill in:
- Admission date — When the patient is being admitted
- Reason for admission — Clinical justification for the overnight stay
- Notes — Any additional information relevant to the admission
Admission statuses
IPD admissions have two statuses:| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Active | The patient is currently admitted and in your facility |
| Discharged | The patient has been released |
During the admission
While a patient is admitted, you can connect other the platform records to the admission for complete in-patient documentation.Linking clinical notes
Clinical notes created during the admission can be linked directly to the IPD record. This keeps all in-patient documentation grouped together, separate from the patient’s outpatient notes.Linking appointments
Appointments that occur during the admission — such as follow-up checks, in-hospital consultations, or procedure sessions — can also be linked to the admission record.Scheduling follow-ups
You can create follow-up appointments directly from the admission record. This is useful for scheduling:- Post-discharge check-ups
- Suture removal appointments
- Follow-up imaging or lab work
Follow-up appointments created from an admission are automatically linked to both the patient and the admission, maintaining a clear trail from in-patient stay to post-discharge care.
Discharging a patient
Historical records
All admission records are retained permanently, regardless of status. Your clinic can review a patient’s complete in-patient history at any time from their profile. Each record shows:- Admission and discharge dates
- Attending doctor
- Reason for admission
- All linked clinical notes
- All linked appointments
Permissions
Doctors & Admins can create admissions, link records, and discharge patients. Receptionists can view admission statuses but cannot create or modify IPD records.
Best practices
Document admission reasoning thoroughly
Document admission reasoning thoroughly
A clear reason for admission protects your clinic legally and helps other staff understand why in-patient care was chosen over outpatient management.
Link every note and appointment
Link every note and appointment
Consistent linking ensures the admission record is a complete capsule of the patient’s stay. Unlinked notes can be difficult to associate retroactively.
Schedule follow-ups before discharge
Schedule follow-ups before discharge
Creating follow-up appointments while the patient is still admitted ensures nothing falls through the cracks. The patient leaves with their next appointment already on the calendar.
Use clinical note types appropriately during stays
Use clinical note types appropriately during stays
Use Procedure notes for surgical interventions, Follow-up notes for daily rounds, and Emergency notes if the patient’s condition changes unexpectedly during their stay.
Related articles
- Clinical Notes — Create and link notes to admissions
- Managing Patients — Access IPD history from the patient profile
- Appointments — Schedule follow-up visits from the admission record
- Subscriptions & Plans — Check if your plan includes the IPD module