The ACORN (Assessment of Clinical Oral Risks & Needs) template adds a custom fields section automatically to a treatment item.
Before setting up the ACORN assessment
You must have Level 4 (Administrator) access.
Save the file somewhere easy to find (e.g. Downloads or Desktop).
Extract the ACORN assessment template file
Locate the downloaded .zip file on your computer.
Double-click to unzip/extract it.
Inside, you’ll find the latest .json text file — this is the file you'll upload into Dentally.
💡 Top Tip - If your computer cannot find or open the .json file, contact us via support chat.
Create a new ACORN treatment item
🚨 Important - If you're updating to a new version of the ACORN assessment file, do not edit the old treatment. You must instead create a new treatment item to avoid altering historical records.
Go to 'Settings' > 'Treatments and Plans'
Click Create new Treatment
Enter:
Name: e.g. ACORN Assessment
Treatment Code
Nomenclature
(Optional) Patient Friendly Name
Click 'Save'
Set:
Region: Patient
Category: Diagnostic
Price/Time for each payment plan
Click 'Save'
Import the new ACORN custom field file
Go to the 'Fields' tab of your new treatment item.
Click 'Import from file'
Select and upload your downloaded .json file.
Click 'Save'
Using the ACORN assessment
Open a patient’s 'Treatment Plan'
Add your new ACORN Assessment treatment item.
Go to the 'Fields' tab and you will see the ACORN custom fields.
Complete the assessment and finish the treatment as usual.
💡 Top Tip - You can click the ⭐ star icon next to the treatment item on the treatment list to mark it as a favourite, so it's easier to find going forward.
Important information for ACORN pilot sites in Wales
If you're part of the ACORN pilot, this template is in addition to the optional dataset shown during claim submission. You must still complete those items before submitting the claim.
Downloading a patient’s ACORN form
Go to the patient’s record → 'Chart' tab.
Select the 'History' tab.
Search for ACORN Assessment treatment item and click on the 'TP' to open the treatment plan.
Locate the green ACORN Form.
Save using one of two methods:
Press 'Ctrl + P' → Set printer to 'Save as PDF'
Screenshot using Snipping Tool or screenshot tool on your computer.