FAQs

The cloud based version allows you to access Bridge-IT from our powerful secure servers which we host for you. This means that your data can be accessed from any Windows PC and is the perfect option for providers who want to manage their appointment diary or patient records at any time, from any location.

Pros:
Accessible from any location with an internet connection and windows operating system.
Fully managed service so software upgrades are handled for you.
Can run just as fast on slow outdated PC’s as on modern devices, as the software is actually running in the cloud.
All data is backed up on a daily basis including all your uploaded x-rays, scans and documents.
Easy management for multi-site adminstrators who can instantly switch between sites with a single click.
No data is stored at your practice, so even in serious situations, such as the theft of your computers or a fire, there is no danger to your patient information.

Cons:
Requires an always on internet connection. If your internet goes down you lose access to the software. However, mobile internet can easily be used as a backup connection if your main internet fails for any duration.

The local edition is a desktop application that is installed on your own computers and which stores all of your data on your own in-house network. It is only available online if you leave one of your computers on at the practice and use a remote desktop tool to access your data.

Pros:
Is not dependent on the internet so can always be accessd so long as your local network is up and running.
If you don’t have fibre broadband, the software can feel slightly more responsive as it does not depend on your internet connection to access the data.

Cons:
Only available when away from the practice by leaving a PC on and accessing via remote control software (built into software).

Yes! You can request a 60 day trial version of the software by clicking the “Download” button at the top of the page. Simply enter your practice details and we’ll send you a link to the trial within a few hours.

We do not have members of staff who are paid to travel the country performing software demonstrations. Instead we provide a downloadable trial that is virtually fully functioning. This enables us to keep the cost of our services down and allows you to test the program in the comfort of your own home and over an extended period. Of course with the advent of Zoom an actual site visit has become superfluous as we can perform a remote demonstration for you and take you through whatever aspects of the program you’d like to focus on. Simply select “Contact” at the top of the screen to arrange a virtual demonstration.

Yes. Bridge-IT contains a fully approved NHS module for dentists in England and Wales. Bridge-IT automatically generates and completes FP17 and FP17O claim forms when NHS treatments are administered. Charge bands are calculated for you and invoices created for your approval with a single click.

UDA’s and UOA’s are easily monitored on both a practice and individual provider level and the program let’s each provider know at any point in the year whether they are ahead or behind in their UDA/UOA quotient.

NHS claims are transferred digitally via WebEDI to the NHSBSA.

Yes. Bridge-IT has comprehensive orthodontic case assessments, perfect for both private and NHS practices. It is also fully approved by the NHSBSA for transmission of orthodontic claims which can be sent electronically via WebEDI.

We recommend a minimum 2Mb/s internet connection speed per connected device at any one location. A fibre connection is best for this which the vast majority of locations now support. If you want to test your internet connection speed you can follow this link https://www.speedtest.net and activate the line test. This will give you the download and upload speeds of your internet connection.

Yes. Both the local and cloud editions interface seamlessly with digital radiographic systems. Over the past 20 years we have created links to virtually all systems available in the UK. This means instead of being told which x-ray system to buy (as is the case with some PMS suppliers), you can choose for yourself the digital imaging hardware that best fits your practice. The patients x-rays are connected to the Bridge-IT patient record and images can be viewed at the touch of a button.

Our interface list to the different x-ray packages on the market is extensive, covering most of the systems available on the market. If you don’t see your x-ray system in the list below, we work on a policy of developing new links free of charge to our customers.

So far the list includes:

• Acteon Imaging
• Apteryx XVLite
• Cliniview
• Dental Eye
• Digirex
• Dr Suni
• Digora
• EasyDent/EWoo/Vatech
• Fimet Ultimax
• Gendex Vixwin
• Genoray Lynx
• Genoray Triana
• iRis and Raymage
• Kavo
• Mediadent
• Oriswin DG (Fona)
• Planmeca
• ProImage
• Schick
• Sirona Sidexis
• Sopro
• Suni
• Trophy (Kodak)
• Velopex
• Vistascan DBSWIN.

If you use a digital x-ray system that is not listed here, we will gladly set up an interface to it free of charge.

Yes. Bridge-IT houses a comprehensive recall and appointment reminder system that allows you to communicate with your patients by e-mail, letter or SMS text message. These processes can be completely automated so you can concentrate on caring for your patients whilst Bridge-IT handles this side of the business for you.

Yes, we have a built in interface to Florida Probe which connects the patient’s periodontal exams to the patient record in Bridge-IT.

Unfortunately not. We introduced the NHS module after England and Wales adopted the three banding system and we designed our software around that. Therefore we are unable to generate the treatment item fee level that is required by the Scottish NHS board.

Bridge-IT has comprehensive imports for many systems including Carestream and SOE. It can also import appointments, basic patient contact information, last recall date, financial status etc from any comma delimited file such as those produced by Excel, Outlook or any other system. In some circumstances it is also possible to import clinical notes to the patients record. A comma delimited file usually has a .csv file extension and has fields separated by a comma. For example:

“Jenny”,”Smith”,”15 Watts Way”,”High Wycombe” etc etc

In regard to importing additional data our usual policy is to examine your current database, and then give you an assessment of what can be extracted. Limitations of what can be imported generally lie with the old system rather than in Bridge-IT. i.e. what can be exported from the old system.

We recommend a wired network for running Bridge-IT over your network as there is information constantly travelling back and forth between the clients and the database. Although Bridge-IT will work over a wireless network (and we have numerous practices that do), we strongly advise against it. Wireless signals can be unreliable and may drop their connection to the server at crucial times. In addition, wireless networks are much slower than cabled ones, therefore we suggest wired connectivity whenever possible.

Yes, Bridge-IT is fully compatible with 64-bit technology. In fact we do all of our development on 64-bit machines.

Both the Cloud and Local versions of the software will run on:

• Windows 11 (32-bit or 64-bit)
• Windows 10 (32-bit or 64-bit)
• Windows 8.1 (32-bit or 64-bit)
• Windows 7 SP1 (32-bit or 64-bit)
• Windows 2012 R2 Server Edition
• Windows 2016 Server Edition
• Windows 2019 Server Edition

Online Patient Booking

Everybody wants to manage their lives online these days, so why not their dental appointments! This module allows existing patients to book their own appointment online and, if you wish, can be made to accept new patient registrations further increasing your availabilty. The online booking system can be customized with your own logo, welcome messages, contact details etc to make it a part of your service. A demo can be found here https://mydentalbooking.co.uk/id/onlinedemo. Try signing up as a new patient and booking your own appointment.

COMPATIBILITY: Local & Cloud

Patient E-Input and Signature Capture

Patient e-input:
Have patients securely input their medical histories, fill in questionnaires and capture signature approval for medical legal documents, all using a simple tablet interface. Staff no longer need to spend time inputing the information in the patient record themselves.

Alternatively, signature capture only:
Electronically capture the signature approval of your patient for medical legal forms, letters, treatment plans, NHS PR forms, and more using a signature capture pad.

COMPATIBILITY: Local & Cloud

Document Scanning

Communicate with any twain scanner, facilitating the scanning of documents directly into the patient record.

Bridge-IT already houses a document manager which allows you to connect documents (such as Word, PDF, Excel or image files) to the patient record. However, this module enables the program to communicate with any twain compatible scanner (99% of all scanners available today), facilitating the scanning of documents directly into the patient record.

COMPATIBILITY: Local & Cloud

SMS Messaging

The SMS module allows your practice to automatically send text messages directly to a patient’s mobile phone reminding them of their appointment, recalling them to your practice for a check up, or simply sending them your latest practice promotion. The patient is able to reply to your message and the correspondence is all recorded in the software. You can even enable the ability for a patient’s appointment status to be updated according to their response, i.e. confirming or cancelling an appointment.

COMPATIBILITY: Local & Cloud

Postcode Recognition

Type in a patients postcode and instantly fetch the correct registered address for that residence completely error free.

Minimize mistakes and speed up entry of the patients address details using this helpful module. Simply key in the postcode and Bridge-IT will instantly fetch the correct registered address for that residence. Postcode recognition can be installed to display either street level or premise level information (requires an annual fee to postal service).

COMPATIBILITY: Local & Cloud

Patient Education

160+ High definition animations covering virtually every procedure you are likely to perform, print out leaflets and more!

Educating your patients has never been easier with the patient education module. Using the latest HD technology, you can choose from over 160 animations covering virtually every procedure you are likely to perform in surgery. The program displays and records which animations have been shown to the patient ensuring you are covered in the event of a dispute. Full colour leaflets can also be printed and given to the patient before they leave so that they can make truly informed decisions about their treatment plan. £595 for first surgery and £195 for each additional surgery.

COMPATIBILITY: Local Only

Patient Check-in Touchscreen

Patients can register themselves in your waiting room, alerting reception staff and the provider in surgery.

The Check-In module allows your patients to register that they have arrived with a few taps on a touchscreen monitor. Once recognised, the patient is instantly transferred into the Bridge-IT virtual waiting room, alerting the reception desk and the provider in surgery that the patient has arrived.

COMPATIBILITY: Local Only

NHS Capability

Administer NHS treatments to your patients and send claims using the fully approved NHSBSA WebEDI portal

This module allows a practice to administer NHS treatments, giving dentists full access to all the functionality necessary to produce FP17 and FP17O claims required by the Dental Practice Board. Claims are made using the NHSBSA WebEDI interface direct to the claims board using the latest XML standard. UDA’s and UOA’s can be easily monitored for each practitioner within the program.

COMPATIBILITY: Local & Cloud

DEPPA

Create Denplan DEPPA assessments from within the Bridge-IT software instead of having to re-enter patient details onto Denplan’s own web service. Assessments can then be fully managed within the software.

COMPATIBILITY: Local & Cloud