Setting up OpenDental provider schedules so booking actually works

Why this matters

The OpenDental connection test will pass even when no provider schedules exist. The connection works — the test just confirms Salva can reach the server. The problem only surfaces when a patient asks to book.

If the response is always "I don't see any open times," the cause is almost certainly upstream in OpenDental, not in Salva.

The four things OpenDental needs

For Salva to find real slots, your OpenDental account needs:

1. At least one provider with a ProvNum (every clinician has this)
2. At least one operatory (chair/room) — OpNum
3. A provider-to-operatory mapping in scheduleops (which provider works in which chair)
4. A weekly recurring schedule in schedules for each provider (which days/hours they work)

Without (4), the slot API returns an empty list. (1) (2) and (3) usually exist by default in any active practice.

Setting up schedules

In the OpenDental client:

1. Open Lists → Practice → Providers. Confirm each clinician has an active ProvNum.
2. Open Setup → Operatories. Confirm at least one operatory exists.
3. Open the Schedule view. For each provider, set up their weekly hours (e.g., Mon-Thu 9am–5pm). Use the recurring schedule feature so it doesn't have to be re-entered each week.
4. Confirm the provider's scheduleops entries link them to the correct operatories.

OpenDental's docs cover the exact UI paths. If you have an OpenDental implementation specialist, this is a 10-minute task for them.

Verifying the fix

Once schedules are set up, the easiest way to verify is to ask Salva for an appointment:

1. Call your Salva number from your personal cell.
2. Say "I'd like to book a cleaning for next week."
3. Salva should offer two or three real slots.

If you still get "no openings," the booking window may be too short (how slots are queried) or the service has no matching provider — adjust under Settings → Services.

Going live

Once schedules and slot queries return real results, you can switch booking to Instant mode with confidence and let Salva start filling chair time autonomously.

Published May 10, 2026