SMS Reminders
Automated SMS reminders are one of the most effective ways to reduce no-shows. MyDentalPractice sends customizable text messages to patients before their appointments.
Enabling SMS Reminders
Reminder Schedule
You can send up to three reminders per appointment:
| Timing | Default | Customizable |
|---|---|---|
| First Reminder | 48 hours before | 24 hours to 7 days before |
| Second Reminder | 24 hours before | 2 hours to 48 hours before |
| Day-of Reminder | 2 hours before | 30 minutes to 4 hours before |
Enable or disable each reminder individually based on your clinic's preference.
Message Templates
Customize the SMS content under Settings → Notifications → SMS Templates:
Default Template
"Hi [Patient Name], this is a reminder of your appointment at [Clinic Name] on [Date] at [Time]. Reply CONFIRM to confirm or call [Clinic Phone] to reschedule."
Available Placeholders
Character Limits
SMS messages are limited to 160 characters for a single segment. Messages up to 320 characters are sent as two segments. Keep templates concise to minimize SMS costs.
Patient Responses
Patients can reply to reminder messages:
View patient responses at Appointments → SMS Responses.
SMS Credits
SMS messages consume credits from your account:
| Plan | Monthly SMS Credits |
|---|---|
| Starter | 200 |
| Professional | 1,000 |
| Enterprise | 5,000 |
View your remaining credits at Settings → Billing → SMS Credits. Additional credits can be purchased in bundles of 500.
Opting Out
Patients can opt out of SMS reminders by replying STOP. Their preference is saved automatically. To re-enable SMS for a patient, go to their profile and toggle SMS Notifications back on (requires patient consent).
Effectiveness Tracking
View SMS reminder analytics at Analytics → Patient Engagement:
For general appointment management, see Booking Appointments.