SoftSmile
Step-by-step implementation guide — pre-implementation checklist, onboarding, staff training, go-live runbook, and ROI tracking.
SoftSmile — Implementation Playbook (DSO)
SoftSmile Implementation Playbook
AI-Powered Orthodontic Treatment Planning for DSOs
1. Executive Summary
What SoftSmile Does
SoftSmile is an AI-powered clear aligner treatment planning platform that automates the creation of orthodontic tooth movement plans, reducing treatment design time from hours to minutes while enabling in-house aligner production workflows. The platform uses machine learning to predict optimal tooth movements and generates clinician-ready treatment simulations that can be modified and approved directly by providers.
Why DSOs Benefit from AI Treatment Planning at Scale
Standardization Advantage: DSOs operating across 15–50 locations face significant variability in treatment planning quality and efficiency. SoftSmile's AI applies consistent biomechanical principles across every case, regardless of which provider or location originates it. This means a patient in Location 3 receives the same quality treatment plan logic as one in Location 47.
Data Aggregation Power: As your organization processes hundreds or thousands of clear aligner cases monthly, SoftSmile's platform learns from your outcomes data across all locations. This creates a proprietary intelligence layer that improves over time—a competitive moat unavailable to single-location practices.
Economic Scale Benefits:
- Centralized treatment planning teams can service multiple locations
- Reduced per-case design costs through automation (typically 60–80% reduction in planning time)
- In-house aligner manufacturing becomes economically viable at DSO volumes
- Negotiated enterprise licensing reduces per-location costs by 25–40%
Operational Leverage: Treatment planning bottlenecks—often the slowest step in the clear aligner workflow—are eliminated. This unlocks case capacity without adding clinical headcount.
Expected Timeline: Decision to Full Deployment
| Phase | Duration | Milestone |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Implementation | Weeks 1–2 | Infrastructure ready, stakeholders aligned |
| Pilot Wave (2–3 locations) | Weeks 3–6 | Validated workflows, trained champions |
| Wave 2 Expansion (5–8 locations) | Weeks 7–12 | Scaled deployment, refined processes |
| Wave 3 (Remaining locations) | Weeks 13–20 | Full deployment |
| Optimization | Weeks 21–24 | ROI confirmed, ongoing optimization |
Total Timeline: 20–24 weeks for a 30-location DSO
2. Pre-Implementation Checklist (Weeks 1–2)
Technical Requirements
Hardware Requirements per Location
☐ Workstation with minimum specs: Intel i7/AMD Ryzen 7, 16GB RAM, dedicated GPU (NVIDIA GTX 1060 or better), SSD storage
☐ 27"+ monitor recommended for treatment plan visualization
☐ Intraoral scanner (compatible models: iTero, 3Shape TRIOS, Medit, Carestream)
☐ CBCT integration optional but recommended for complex cases
Network Requirements
☐ Minimum 50 Mbps upload/download per location (100 Mbps recommended)
☐ ⚠️ Network latency under 100ms to SoftSmile cloud servers—test from each location
☐ Open ports: 443 (HTTPS), verify no proxy interference with WebSocket connections
☐ Static IP or consistent NAT configuration for API integrations
Software Requirements
☐ Windows 10/11 (64-bit) or macOS 12+
☐ Chrome or Edge browser (latest version)
☐ Practice management system compatibility verified (see Section 5)
Enterprise-Level Requirements (DSO-Specific)
Network Standards Across Locations
☐ 🟣 Decide: Centralized vs. location-level hosting model
☐ Document network topology for each location—create standardized assessment template
☐ Identify locations requiring infrastructure upgrades before rollout
☐ Budget for hardware/network upgrades at non-compliant locations
Centralized IT Configuration
☐ SSO integration requirements documented (SAML 2.0, Azure AD, Okta supported)
☐ 🔵 Request enterprise SSO configuration from SoftSmile
☐ Centralized user provisioning workflow defined
☐ Role-based access control (RBAC) structure designed:
- Super Admin (Central IT/CDO)
- Regional Admin (Regional Managers)
- Location Admin (Office Managers)
- Provider (Treating Doctors)
- Treatment Coordinator (View/Submit only)
Centralized Credentialing
☐ Master provider list with NPI numbers compiled
☐ Credentialing workflow for new providers documented
☐ De-provisioning workflow for departing providers established
Vendor Onboarding Steps
🔵 Week 1 Vendor Actions:
☐ Execute enterprise license agreement
☐ Establish dedicated Customer Success Manager (CSM) contact
☐ Schedule enterprise kick-off call with vendor implementation team
☐ Obtain sandbox/test environment access
☐ Receive enterprise admin credentials and API documentation
Key Vendor Contacts to Establish:
| Role | Purpose | Expected Response Time |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Success Manager | Strategic partnership, escalations | 4 hours |
| Technical Implementation Lead | Integration, configuration | 2 hours |
| Support Tier 1 | Day-to-day issues | 1 hour |
| Support Tier 2 | Complex technical issues | 4 hours |
| Executive Sponsor (Vendor) | Contract/relationship issues | 24 hours |
Data/Access Prerequisites
☐ Imaging archive access documented for each location
☐ Historical case data export capability assessed (if training AI on your outcomes)
☐ 🔵 API keys generated for each integration point
☐ Test patient data set created (de-identified) for validation
☐ Scanner software versions documented per location
Internal Stakeholder Alignment
Stakeholder Alignment Map
| Stakeholder Level | Who | Their Concern | Communication Need |
|---|---|---|---|
| Board/Investors | Board members, PE sponsors | ROI, competitive positioning, risk | 🟣 Quarterly update on AI strategy |
| C-Suite | CEO, CDO, VP Operations, CFO | Strategic alignment, budget, outcomes | 🟣 Monthly rollout status |
| Regional Managers | Regional/Area Directors | Execution, staff adoption, metrics | Weekly rollout briefings |
| Location Office Managers | OMs at each practice | Daily operations, staff training, scheduling | Pre-wave preparation, daily support |
| Providers | Orthodontists, GPs doing ortho | Clinical workflow, AI trust, patient care | Training, champion identification |
| Clinical Staff | Treatment coordinators, assistants | Workflow changes, job security | Training, change management |
| Central Teams | IT, HR, Training, Compliance | Infrastructure, hiring, policies | Integrated project planning |
Approval Matrix
| Decision | Approver | Consulted | Informed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🟣 Enterprise license agreement | CEO/CFO | CDO, VP Ops | Board |
| 🟣 Rollout timeline | VP Operations | CDO, Regional Managers | All |
| 🟣 Budget allocation | CFO | VP Operations | CEO |
| Infrastructure investments | VP Operations | IT Lead | CFO |
| Pilot location selection | Regional Manager | CDO, VP Ops | Location OMs |
| Go-live date per location | Regional Manager | Location OM | VP Operations |
Baseline Metrics to Capture
⚠️ Critical: Capture these metrics BEFORE any SoftSmile deployment begins. Without baseline data, ROI cannot be proven.
Standardized Measurement Protocol (All Locations Must Use Same Methodology)
Efficiency Metrics:
☐ Average treatment plan turnaround time (case submission → clinician-approved plan)
☐ Number of treatment plan revisions per case
☐ Provider time spent per treatment plan review (minutes)
☐ Cases in treatment planning backlog
Clinical Metrics:
☐ Case acceptance rate for clear aligner cases
☐ Number of refinements/mid-course corrections per case
☐ Average treatment duration (start to finish)
☐ Patient satisfaction scores for ortho cases (if tracked)
Financial Metrics:
☐ Average revenue per aligner case
☐ Cost per treatment plan (labor + outsourced design fees)
☐ Clear aligner case volume per location per month
☐ Provider capacity (how many ortho cases can each provider handle monthly)
Data Collection Template: Create a standardized spreadsheet with:
- Location identifier
- Measurement date range (recommend 90-day lookback)
- Each metric with clear calculation methodology
- Data source (PMS report name, manual count, etc.)
🟣 Executive Decision Required: Assign metric collection ownership—recommend central analytics team with location input.
3. Location Readiness Assessment
Scoring Framework
Rate each factor 1–5 using the criteria below. Minimum composite score of 15 recommended for Wave 1; 12+ for Wave 2.
Factor 1: IT Infrastructure Maturity
| Score | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 5 | Fiber internet (100+ Mbps), hardware < 2 years old, current PMS version, IT-managed |
| 4 | 50+ Mbps, hardware < 3 years old, PMS within 1 version of current |
| 3 | 25+ Mbps, hardware < 5 years old, PMS supported version |
| 2 | 10–25 Mbps, aging hardware, PMS update needed |
| 1 | < 10 Mbps, hardware > 5 years, unsupported PMS version |
Factor 2: Staff Tenure and Adaptability
| Score | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 5 | Turnover < 10%, successful prior tech adoption, tech-forward culture |
| 4 | Turnover 10–20%, neutral on technology, adequate training history |
| 3 | Turnover 20–30%, mixed tech adoption results |
| 2 | Turnover 30–50%, resistance to recent changes |
| 1 | Turnover > 50%, failed prior tech implementations |
Factor 3: Patient Volume
| Score | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 5 | High volume (50+ aligner starts/month)—high impact AND strong ops team to manage risk |
| 4 | High volume with moderate ops strength |
| 3 | Medium volume (20–50 starts/month) |
| 2 | Low volume (10–20 starts/month)—limited ROI potential |
| 1 | Very low volume (< 10 starts/month)—deprioritize |
Factor 4: Existing Tech Stack Compatibility
| Score | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 5 | SoftSmile-certified scanner, native PMS integration, cloud imaging |
| 4 | Compatible scanner, PMS integration available, some workarounds needed |
| 3 | Compatible scanner, PMS integration requires middleware |
| 2 | Scanner requires upgrade, PMS integration complex |
| 1 | Incompatible scanner, PMS not supported—requires major investment |
Factor 5: Local Champion Availability
| Score | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 5 | Enthusiastic provider champion + tech-savvy OM, both committed |
| 4 | Strong provider champion OR strong OM champion |
| 3 | Willing participant identified, not yet fully bought in |
| 2 | No clear champion, but no active resistance |
| 1 | Active resistance from key staff, no champion available |
Composite Scoring
| Composite Score | Readiness Level | Rollout Wave |
|---|---|---|
| 20–25 | High Readiness | Wave 1 (Pilot) |
| 15–19 | Medium-High | Wave 2 |
| 12–14 | Medium | Wave 3 |
| < 12 | Low | Remediation required before deployment |
Sample Assessment Matrix
| Location | IT (1-5) | Staff (1-5) | Volume (1-5) | Tech Stack (1-5) | Champion (1-5) | Composite | Wave |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Location A | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 23 | 1 |
| Location B | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 21 | 1 |
| Location C | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 16 | 2 |
| Location D | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 11 | Remediate |
Recommended Rollout Sequence
Wave 1 Selection Criteria:
- Composite score 20+
- Geographic diversity (different regions to test varied conditions)
- Mix of practice sizes/types (GP + ortho if applicable)
- At least one high-volume location to stress-test the system
⚠️ Common Mistake: Selecting only your "best" locations for pilot. Include at least one location with minor challenges to identify issues before broader rollout.
4. Rollout Strategy
Wave Structure
| Wave | Locations | Duration | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wave 1 (Pilot) | 2–3 locations | 4 weeks | Validate workflows, identify issues, certify champions |
| Wave 2 | 5–8 locations | 4 weeks | Scaled deployment, refine processes, build momentum |
| Wave 3 | Remaining locations | 6–8 weeks | Full deployment |
| Optimization | All locations | Ongoing | Continuous improvement |
Wave 1: Pilot Selection Criteria
Select 2–3 locations meeting ALL of the following:
☐ Composite readiness score of 20+
☐ Identified provider champion who volunteered (not assigned)
☐ Office manager with capacity to engage in rollout (not already managing other initiatives)
☐ Representative of broader portfolio (don't pick only urban locations if you have rural)
☐ Geographic proximity to regional manager for hands-on support
☐ Not in the middle of any other major change (renovation, provider transition, etc.)
Wave 1 Timeline (Weeks 3–6):
| Week | Activities |
|---|---|
| Week 3 | Configuration complete, integration validated, champion training begins |
| Week 4 | Soft launch—champions use system with first 5–10 cases, daily check-ins |
| Week 5 | Full location go-live, expanded to all ortho cases, staff training complete |
| Week 6 | Stabilization, documentation of lessons learned, go/no-go assessment |
Wave 2 Timeline (Weeks 7–12)
| Week | Activities |
|---|---|
| Week 7 | Apply Wave 1 learnings, pre-configure Wave 2 locations |
| Week 8 | Champion training for Wave 2 locations (now done by certified Wave 1 champions) |
| Weeks 9–10 | Staggered go-live (2–3 locations per week) |
| Weeks 11–12 | Stabilization, lessons learned, Wave 3 preparation |
Wave 3 Timeline (Weeks 13–20)
- Rapid deployment leveraging established playbook
- 3–5 locations per week go-live
- Focus on efficiency—process should be repeatable
- Central team provides remote support, location champions manage locally
Go/No-Go Criteria for Wave Advancement
🟣 Executive Decision Required at Each Gate
To Advance from Wave 1 → Wave 2:
☐ ≥ 85% of cases processed through SoftSmile without critical issues
☐ Provider satisfaction ≥ 4/5 on post-pilot survey
☐ No unresolved Severity 1 (system down) or Severity 2 (major workflow blocked) issues
☐ Training completion rate 100% for pilot location staff
☐ Case acceptance rate maintained or improved vs. baseline
☐ Treatment plan turnaround time improved by ≥ 30%
To Advance from Wave 2 → Wave 3:
☐ All Wave 2 criteria met AND
☐ Champion training model validated (Wave 1 champions successfully trained Wave 2 staff)
☐ Central support model sustainable (no increase in support tickets per location)
☐ No systemic issues emerging across multiple locations
Rollback Plan
If a wave fails Go/No-Go criteria:
Immediate Actions: ☐ Pause deployment to new locations ☐ Convene incident review within 24 hours ☐ Document root cause and categorize (technical, training, change management, vendor)
Location-Level Decisions:
- Locations already live continue operating with enhanced support
- Option to revert to previous workflow if critical issues
- ⚠️ Reversion impacts patient communication—have scripts ready
Remediation Timeline:
- Technical issues: vendor fix within 5 business days
- Training issues: remedial training within 1 week
- Change management: champion reinforcement, 2-week stabilization
Restart Criteria: ☐ Root cause resolved and verified ☐ Preventive measures implemented for future locations ☐ 🟣 Executive approval to resume
Isolation Protocol: Each location operates independently. Issues at Location A do not require halting Location B unless systemic.
5. Configuration & Integration (Weeks 2–3)
Practice Management System Integration
Dentrix Integration
🔵 Vendor Required: SoftSmile provides integration connector
Step-by-Step Setup (Est. 2 hours per location):
- ☐ Verify Dentrix version (G7.3+ required)
- ☐ Install Dentrix Connector module from SoftSmile
- ☐ 🔵 Configure API endpoint in SoftSmile admin console
- ☐ Map provider IDs between systems
- ☐ Map procedure codes (D8070, D8080, etc.) for auto-posting
- ☐ Configure patient matching rules (name + DOB + chart #)
- ☐ Test bidirectional sync with 5 test patients
- ☐ Validate treatment plan posts correctly to patient ledger
- ☐ Document location-specific settings in configuration log
⚠️ Common Issues:
- Firewall blocking connector → whitelist SoftSmile IP ranges
- Patient matching failures → enable fuzzy matching or use chart # only
- Duplicate patient creation → verify matching rules before go-live
Eaglesoft Integration
🔵 Vendor Required: SoftSmile provides integration connector
Step-by-Step Setup (Est. 2.5 hours per location):
- ☐ Verify Eaglesoft version (21+ required)
- ☐ Install Eaglesoft Bridge from SoftSmile portal
- ☐ Configure Patterson Technology Center credentials
- ☐ 🔵 Enable API access in SoftSmile enterprise console
- ☐ Map provider IDs and operatories
- ☐ Configure procedure code mapping
- ☐ Enable appointment type sync (if scheduling integrated)
- ☐ Test with 5 patient records
- ☐ Validate financial posting accuracy
Open Dental Integration
🔵 Vendor Required: SoftSmile API configuration
Step-by-Step Setup (Est. 1.5 hours per location):
- ☐ Verify Open Dental version (22.1+ recommended)
- ☐ Enable API module in Open Dental (requires CustomerNum from Open Dental)
- ☐ Generate API key in Open Dental
- ☐ 🔵 Input API key into SoftSmile configuration
- ☐ Configure FHIR endpoint if using advanced integration
- ☐ Map provider IDs and fee schedules
- ☐ Test patient sync and procedure posting
- ☐ Verify insurance estimation pulls correctly
Imaging System Integration
Intraoral Scanner Integration
iTero (Est. 1 hour per location):
☐ Ensure iTero software version 6.0+
☐ 🔵 Enable MyiTero API access through Align Technology
☐ Link MyiTero account to SoftSmile in admin console
☐ Test scan upload → SoftSmile case creation workflow
☐ Verify scan quality requirements met (scanner calibration)
3Shape TRIOS (Est. 1 hour per location):
☐ TRIOS software 2.0+ required
☐ Configure 3Shape Communicate portal
☐ 🔵 Connect 3Shape Communicate to SoftSmile via OAuth
☐ Test direct upload pathway
☐ Verify file format compatibility (STL/PLY)
Medit (Est. 45 min per location):
☐ Medit Link software installed
☐ Enable cloud upload to Medit Cloud
☐ 🔵 Connect Medit Cloud to SoftSmile
☐ Test scan transfer workflow
CBCT Integration (Optional)
☐ Verify DICOM export capability
☐ Configure DICOM send to SoftSmile cloud endpoint
☐ Test CBCT upload with sample case
☐ ⚠️ Verify PHI handling in DICOM headers complies with your data governance policy
Test Environment Setup
Centralized Test Environment (Recommended for DSOs)
🟣 Decision Required: Centralized vs. per-location testing
Recommendation: Centralized test environment with location-specific configuration profiles.
Setup Steps:
☐ 🔵 Request enterprise sandbox from SoftSmile (separate from production)
☐ Create test organization mirroring production structure
☐ Upload de-identified sample cases (minimum 20 cases representing case mix)
☐ Configure test integrations with PMS sandbox (if available) or test database
☐ Create test user accounts for each role type
Validation Checklist
Integration Validation:
| Test | Expected Result | Pass/Fail |
|---|---|---|
| Patient creates in SoftSmile when record created in PMS | Patient appears within 5 min | ☐ |
| Scan upload triggers case creation | Case in queue within 2 min | ☐ |
| Treatment plan approval posts to PMS | Procedure posted with correct code/fee | ☐ |
| Provider assignment syncs bidirectionally | Provider matches in both systems | ☐ |
| Appointment scheduling reflects in SoftSmile | Appointment status current | ☐ |
Workflow Validation:
| Test | Expected Result | Pass/Fail |
|---|---|---|
| AI generates treatment plan from scan | Plan renders within 10 minutes | ☐ |
| Provider can modify tooth movements | Changes save and reflect in simulation | ☐ |
| Provider can approve plan | Plan moves to production queue | ☐ |
| Revision request workflow | Plan returns to design queue | ☐ |
| Patient simulation viewer works | Shareable link generates, patient view loads | ☐ |
Data Migration (If Applicable)
Historical Case Import (Optional but recommended for AI learning):
☐ 🔵 Discuss historical data import with SoftSmile CSM
☐ Export historical treatment plans in supported format
☐ De-identify data per HIPAA requirements
☐ Validate data mapping before bulk import
☐ Import in batches (recommend 100 cases per batch)
☐ Verify historical cases display correctly
⚠️ Note: Historical data import is optional. SoftSmile AI works without historical data but improves accuracy with your organization's case history.
Enterprise Configuration Standards
Standardized Settings (Apply Centrally)
| Setting | Standard Value | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Default treatment plan approval workflow | Require provider signature | Compliance |
| Patient consent capture | Enabled, mandatory | Legal protection |
| Auto-archive inactive cases | 90 days | System performance |
| Treatment simulation quality | High resolution | Patient communication |
| Session timeout | 30 minutes | HIPAA |
| Password policy | 12+ chars, 90-day rotation | Security |
| Audit logging | Enabled, 7-year retention | Compliance |
| Patient communication templates | Central templates with local customization | Brand consistency |
Location-Specific Settings (Allow Variation)
| Setting | Customization Allowed | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Provider preferences for tooth movement | Per provider | Dr. Smith prefers conservative rotation limits |
| Default treatment complexity tier | Per location | Ortho specialty offices handle complex cases |
| Case notification preferences | Per user | Email vs. in-app notifications |
| Working hours for scheduling | Per location | Operating hours vary |
| Fee schedule mappings | Per location | Fees vary by market |
Enterprise Configuration Template
Create master configuration document with:
☐ All standardized settings with values
☐ Location-specific setting categories with acceptable ranges
☐ Change management process for modifying enterprise standards
☐ Version control for configuration changes
Security & HIPAA Compliance Verification
Enterprise-Level HIPAA Checklist
☐ 🔵 Execute Business Associate Agreement (BAA) with SoftSmile
☐ Document data flow diagram (PHI path from scanner → SoftSmile → PMS)
☐ Verify encryption at rest (AES-256) and in transit (TLS 1.3)
☐ Confirm data center certifications (SOC 2 Type II, HITRUST recommended)
☐ Establish data retention policy alignment (SoftSmile retention vs. your policy)
☐ Configure audit log access for compliance team
☐ Define breach notification process and escalation path
☐ Complete security questionnaire and document vendor responses
☐ Conduct risk assessment per HIPAA Security Rule
Access Control Checklist
☐ Role-based access control (RBAC) configured per Section 2
☐ Minimum necessary access principle verified
☐ User provisioning tied to HR system or SSO
☐ Offboarding workflow terminates access within 24 hours of departure
☐ Quarterly access review scheduled
6. Team Training Plan
Train-the-Trainer Model
Champion Selection Criteria
Select 1 champion per location meeting the following:
☐ Currently processes ortho cases (provider or treatment coordinator)
☐ Above-average comfort with technology (nominated by peers or manager)
☐ Respected by clinical staff (influence, not just title)
☐ Capacity to dedicate 8–10 hours to certification training
☐ Commitment to support colleagues post-launch
☐ Consistent schedule (not frequently traveling or out of office)
Ideal Candidates: Treatment coordinators, orthodontic assistants, or tech-forward providers.
Champion Responsibilities
| Responsibility | Time Commitment |
|---|---|
| Complete certification training | 8 hours (one-time) |
| Lead local staff training | 4–6 hours (pre-launch) |
| First-line support for staff questions | 1–2 hours/week (ongoing) |
| Attend weekly champion calls | 30 min/week (first 90 days) |
| Provide feedback to central team | As needed |
| Train new hires on SoftSmile workflow | As needed |
Champion Certification Program
🔵 Vendor Required: SoftSmile provides certification materials
Certification Curriculum (8 hours total):
| Module | Duration | Content |
|---|---|---|
| 1: Platform Fundamentals | 2 hours | Navigation, case creation, basic workflows |
| 2: Clinical Workflow Deep Dive | 2 hours | Treatment planning, modifications, approvals |
| 3: Integration & Troubleshooting | 1.5 hours | PMS/scanner integration, common issues |
| 4: Training Delivery Skills | 1.5 hours | How to train adults, handling resistance |
| 5: Certification Assessment | 1 hour | Practical exam + written test |
Passing Criteria: Score 85%+ on assessment, complete hands-on case simulation.
Standardized Training Materials (Centrally Created)
Materials to Produce Centrally
☐ Role-specific training slide decks (branded, consistent messaging)
☐ Workflow quick reference cards (laminated, monitor-friendly)
☐ Video library (2–5 min clips for each core workflow)
☐ FAQ document (updated weekly during rollout)
☐ Trainer guide (step-by-step for champions delivering training)
☐ Knowledge check quizzes (verify comprehension per role)
Materials Champions Customize Locally
☐ Training schedule to fit location hours
☐ Provider-specific preferences to communicate
☐ Local examples and case studies
☐ Integration specifics (if PMS version differs)
Role-Specific Training Outlines
Dentists/Providers (2 hours)
Learning Objectives:
- Navigate SoftSmile interface confidently
- Interpret AI-generated treatment plans critically
- Modify treatment plans when clinical judgment differs from AI
- Approve plans and manage revision requests
- Communicate treatment to patients using visualization tools
Training Format: Live demonstration + guided practice (1 case each)
Session Outline:
| Time | Topic | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 0:00–0:15 | Why we're adopting SoftSmile | Context, benefits, expectations |
| 0:15–0:30 | Interface navigation | Guided demo |
| 0:30–1:00 | Reviewing an AI-generated plan | Walkthrough with sample case |
| 1:00–1:30 | Modifying a treatment plan | Hands-on: each provider modifies a case |
| 1:30–1:50 | Approving plans and requesting revisions | Workflow practice |
| 1:50–2:00 | Q&A, concerns | Open discussion |
Common Resistance Points & Responses:
| Objection | Response |
|---|---|
| "I don't trust AI to do my treatment planning" | "The AI creates a starting point. You review, modify, and approve. No plan goes to production without your clinical sign-off." |
| "This will take more time, not less" | "Initially, there's a learning curve. By week 3, providers report 50%+ time savings on plan review." |
| "My cases are too complex for AI" | "SoftSmile handles complexity well, but you can always modify. Complex cases still benefit from the starting point." |
Provider Day 1 Cheat Sheet:
SOFTSMILE QUICK REFERENCE - PROVIDERS
LOGIN: [SSO link] or [direct URL]
TO REVIEW A CASE:
1. Click "My Cases" → find patient
2. Review 3D simulation (rotate with mouse, timeline slider for staging)
3. Check tooth movements table—flag anything > your comfort threshold
TO MODIFY A PLAN:
1. Click "Edit Treatment"
2. Select tooth → adjust movement
3. Click "Recalculate" (wait 30 sec)
4. Review updated simulation
TO APPROVE:
1. Click "Approve Plan" → Digital signature
2. Plan moves to production queue
TO REQUEST REVISION:
1. Click "Request Changes" → Add notes
2. Returns to design queue
NEED HELP: [Champion name/phone] or Support: 1-800-XXX-XXXX
Hygienists (30 minutes)
Note: Hygienist involvement with SoftSmile varies by practice model. Training applies if hygienists perform intraoral scans or discuss ortho with patients.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand how SoftSmile fits into ortho workflow
- (If applicable) Upload scans correctly
- Answer basic patient questions about the technology
Training Format: Video (15 min) + brief discussion (15 min)
Common Resistance Points & Responses:
| Objection | Response |
|---|---|
| "This doesn't affect me" |
AI-generated implementation guide based on public vendor information. Verify specifics directly with SoftSmile.