Getting started · 4 min read · Beginner

Connecting your practice to Amy

Point your phone number at Amy and link your practice management software. Once both are connected, Amy answers, books, and verifies from the very next call.

Updated Jul 9, 2026

Getting Amy live comes down to two connections: your phone number so she can answer, and your practice management software (PMS) so she can see your real schedule and book into it. When both are green, Amy handles the front desk on the very next call — no waiting on a number to move first.

Tip

You can go live the same day. Forwarding your number takes about five minutes and works right away, so Amy starts answering immediately while the full number transfer finishes quietly in the background.

Before you start

Have these handy. Your onboarding contact can help with any of them.

The main phone number patients call, and access to your phone carrier login (or your office manager who has it).
The name of your PMS — Open Dental, Dentrix, Dentrix Ascend, Eaglesoft, Curve, or Denticon.
For a server-based PMS (Dentrix, Eaglesoft), the back-office computer or server that runs it needs to be on, plus 15–30 minutes with whoever handles your IT.
Your Valian login. If you finished the setup wizard, you are already in the right place: open Settings → Integrations.

Step 1: Connect your phone number

You have two ways to send calls to Amy. Most practices forward first, then port.

Forward now (recommended to start). In your phone carrier's settings, point your main line to the Valian number shown in Settings → Integrations → Phone. Calls reach Amy the moment forwarding turns on. Nothing changes for patients — they still dial the same number.
Port when you're ready (optional). Ask us to move your existing number onto Valian for good. A number transfer plus messaging approval usually takes about two to four weeks. Your calls and texts keep flowing the whole time, so there is no gap.
Place a test call. Ring your main number from a cell phone. Amy should pick up within about one ring and greet you with your practice name.

Note

Amy uses the greeting and hours from your setup wizard. To change how she answers, go to Settings → Amy. See How do I change what Amy says when she answers?.

Step 2: Connect your practice management software

This is what lets Amy read real openings and write a booking straight back into your schedule. How you connect depends on your PMS.

Open Settings → Integrations → Practice management and pick your system.
Open Dental: connect directly with the developer and customer keys from your Open Dental setup. No software to install on your end.
Server-based systems (Dentrix, Eaglesoft): we install a small, secure connector on the computer or server that runs your PMS. It's a short, scheduled session with your IT contact — usually 15 to 30 minutes.
Cloud systems (Dentrix Ascend, Curve, Denticon): follow the on-screen prompts to authorize Valian. Coverage varies by system, so your onboarding contact will confirm exactly what syncs for yours.
Watch the status badge. It moves from Pending to Connecting to Connected. Once it reads Connected, Amy is looking at your live book.

Step 3: Confirm Amy is live

Do a quick end-to-end check so you know it all works before your team relies on it.

Call in and ask Amy to book a checkup. Then open Today and your schedule — the new appointment should appear where she booked it.
Anything Amy needs a human for lands in What needs to get done (your Tasks tab), so nothing slips.
If you gave a member ID on the call, Amy also runs a real-time insurance check. See How Amy verifies insurance in real time.

What Amy can do once you're connected

With both connections green, Amy answers every call and text, books and reschedules into your real openings, sends reminders and confirmations, verifies insurance during the call, and hands your team anything that needs a person. She also remembers each patient, so every call makes the next one smoother.

Tip

Connecting is a one-time setup, but everything Amy does is editable for the life of your account. Your hours, service menu, greeting, and booking rules all live in Settings and update Amy the moment you save.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a new phone number? No. Keep the number patients already know. Forward it to Amy today, and transfer it onto Valian later if you want. Either way, patients dial the same number.

Will patients notice anything change? Only that the phone gets answered every time. Amy greets callers with your practice name and the greeting you set.

What if my PMS isn't on the list? Tell your onboarding contact. Valian supports the major dental systems, and we'll confirm what's possible for yours before you rely on it. See Which practice management systems does Valian support?.

Can Amy answer before my PMS is connected? Yes. Once your number is forwarded, Amy answers, takes messages, and captures what each caller needs. She books directly into your schedule as soon as your PMS shows Connected.

What happens if the PMS connection drops later? Amy keeps answering. Bookings are held safely and sync the moment the link is back. Walk through the fix in Reconnecting your PMS if it disconnects.

Still need a hand?

Reach the Valian team any time at help@valiansystems.com, or open a ticket from the Help Center inside your dashboard. During onboarding, your onboarding contact is at onboarding@valiansystems.com.