Connect your patient list to PractCom without waiting for a PMS integration.
PractCom was designed to make patient communication simple. Until live PMS integrations are available, your practice can still keep PractCom current by exporting a simple patient list from your existing PMS and uploading it directly into PractCom.
All PractCom needs is First Name, Last Name, and Email Address. A Cell Phone field can be included when available, especially for offices using text-based communication.
Choose your import method:
- Paste Method: up to 1,000 patients
- CSV / Excel Upload: up to 10,000 patients per file
- Required Data: first name, last name, email
- Optional: cell phone when available
📋 Paste Patients
Copy and paste patient data directly from Excel, Google Sheets, or a CSV export.
- Quick for smaller lists
- Up to 1,000 patients
- Instant validation
⬆ Upload File
Drag and drop a CSV, XLSX, or XLS file into PractCom and import thousands of records.
- Best for large databases
- Up to 10,000 patients
- Maximum file size: 5 MB
This is not a workaround. It is a practical advantage.
Live PMS integrations can be helpful, but they can also require vendor approval, technical setup, development time, and ongoing coordination. PractCom’s import workflow lets a practice start communicating with patients now, regardless of which PMS system they use.
1 PMS-independent
PractCom can be used by offices on Dentrix, Eaglesoft, Open Dental, Curve, and other systems that can export patient lists.
2 Data-minimizing
The import only needs the core communication fields: first name, last name, and email. Cell phone can be added if available.
3 Office-controlled
Your team decides when to refresh the PractCom patient list, such as once per month, without depending on an outside vendor timeline.
See the import process in action
This short video shows how the patient import process works inside PractCom, including the simple upload workflow.
A simple monthly workflow keeps PractCom up to date.
Your office does not need a complex integration to begin using PractCom. A simple monthly export from the PMS keeps your PractCom patient database current enough for the communication workflows that matter.
Export your patient list from your PMS.
Use the patient list or report export feature in your current practice management system. Save the file as CSV, XLSX, or XLS.
Keep only the fields PractCom needs.
First Name, Last Name, and Email Address are required. Cell Phone is optional and can be included when available.
Drag the file into PractCom.
Open Patients → Import Patients, choose file upload, and drag your CSV or Excel file into the upload area.
Review the summary.
PractCom shows how many patients were imported, updated, or skipped, along with reasons for rows that need attention.
Repeat monthly.
A once-a-month refresh helps the office keep patient communication records updated without waiting for a live integration.
What information does PractCom need?
PractCom keeps the import simple by asking only for the communication information needed to connect the patient to PractCom’s instructions, consents, med cards, referrals, and patient communication workflows.
| Field | Required? | Why it matters | Common header examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Name | Required | Identifies and personalizes the patient record. | First Name, firstName, FNAME |
| Last Name | Required | Completes the patient identity in PractCom. | Last Name, lastName, LNAME |
| Email Address | Required | Acts as the unique identifier and allows email delivery when the office chooses to communicate. | Email, Email Address, e-mail, Patient Email |
| Cell Phone | Optional | Allows text-message communication when available. Patients without a cell phone can still be imported. | Cell, Cell Phone, Mobile, Mobile Number, Phone, Tel |
Two import options for different office needs.
Whether your team is importing a small list or refreshing a large patient database, PractCom gives you a straightforward option.
Copy & Paste Method
- Fastest for small lists.
- Copy patient rows directly from Excel, Google Sheets, or a CSV.
- Supports up to 1,000 patients at a time.
- Header rows are detected and skipped automatically.
- Useful for adding a short list from a specialty campaign, referral list, or smaller office export.
CSV / Excel File Upload
- Best for hundreds or thousands of patients.
- Supports CSV, XLSX, and XLS files.
- Supports up to 10,000 patients per file.
- Maximum file size is 5 MB.
- Ideal for a monthly PMS export and drag-and-drop refresh.
Why this is easier for the dental office.
PractCom’s import approach avoids unnecessary complexity. It gives the practice a practical way to start using PractCom quickly while still keeping patient data current.
Where imported patients fit into PractCom.
The import is not the goal. It is the starting point. Once patients are in PractCom, your office can use the platform to support better communication, documentation, and follow-through.
✓ Post-treatment instructions
Send, print, or text patient-friendly instructions after procedures so patients know what to do when they leave the office.
✓ Informed consents
Deliver important consent documents and capture signatures that become part of the patient communication history.
✓ Med cards
Provide medication instructions in a clearer format that helps patients understand how to follow the office’s directions.
✓ Referral communication
Support referral workflows and make it easier to provide patients with the information they need.
✓ Patient portal access
Patients can access documents the office chooses to provide without calling the practice for another copy.
✓ Tracking and reporting
PractCom helps the office maintain a historical representation of patient communication activity.
Frequently asked questions
These are the common questions dental offices may have before importing their patient list into PractCom.
Does PractCom require a live PMS integration?
No. PractCom can be used without a live PMS integration. Your office can export a patient list from the PMS and import it into PractCom using CSV, XLSX, or XLS.
How often should we update the patient list?
A practical approach is to refresh the list once per month. That gives the office a simple routine to keep PractCom reasonably current without making the process burdensome.
What fields are required?
First Name, Last Name, and Email Address are required. Cell Phone is optional and can be included when available.
What if our PMS uses different column names?
PractCom recognizes many common header variations, including First Name, firstName, FNAME, Email, Email Address, Patient Email, Cell, Cell Phone, Mobile, Phone, and related variations.
What happens if a patient is already in PractCom?
PractCom uses the email address as the unique identifier. If that patient already exists, PractCom updates the record rather than creating a duplicate.
Will patients be notified when they are imported?
No. Importing a patient only adds or updates the record. Your office controls when and whether any patient communication is sent.
What if our file has more than 10,000 patients?
Split the patient list into smaller files and upload them one at a time. Each upload is independent.
What if an upload fails?
The most common issue is a missing or unrecognized email column. Rename the column to Email or Email Address, save the file, and try again.
PractCom lets your practice start now.
Do not wait for a PMS integration to improve patient communication. Import your patient list, refresh it monthly, and give your team a practical way to use PractCom right away.