What's New in R4+ Version 8.8

Version 8.8 of the R4+ software includes the following enhancements:

Dürr Vistasoft Imaging Software IntegrationDürr Vistasoft Imaging Software Integration
We have implemented Patient Record integration between R4+ DPMS and VistaSoft Imaging Software. This integration must be enabled in both VistaSoft and R4+.
1. In R4+, the integration is enabled under Clinical Chart > Tools > X-Ray Programs on each workstation.
2. In VistaSoft, this integration is enabled via the Configuration > Interface > Enable VDDS option, and then selecting R4+ DPMS from the drop-down.
3. If enabling in VistaSoft first, you will need to return to the VistaSoft Configuration> Interface screen again after activating in R4+ to select R4+ DPMS before use.
4. A new icon is present on the Imaging Toolbar within the Clinical Chart to allow launching VistaSoft to access the loaded patient's images.
5. After activation, R4+ supports the transfer of the following Patient Information to VistaSoft as well as any amendments made to a Patient's Name, Gender, Date of Birth, or Address in the R4+ Patient Record when next launched:
- Patient External Reference
- Patient Forename and Surname
- Patient Gender and Date of Birth
- Patient Address
NHS Scotland – Reintroduction of Automatic Filling Fee SupplementsNHS Scotland – Reintroduction of Automatic Filling Fee Supplements
Since the introduction of SDR Reform, the prior Filling Fee Codes were expired from use with the introduction of new Generic Filling Fee Supplements, depending on various conditions like the type of filling and tooth affected. However, where R4+ would previously automatically propose the required fee alongside a filling, since the SDR Reform, clinicians were expected to manually add any required Supplements themselves as needed. This resulted in Supplements sometimes being missed resulting in underpayment.
R4+ is re-introducing the automatic proposal of Filling Supplements in NHS Courses of Treatments. However, this cannot be completely automated under the new SDR Reform Supplement Rules.
1. Automatic Supplement addition will only apply to Resin Material fillings per the SDR.
2. Due to the complexity involved with the new SDR rules, the Calendar Time Rule is not being applied to any of these Supplements. This means that if a Supplement is accepted for a given tooth in a claim and another claim uses the same Supplement on the same tooth for the same Patient within 11 Months, the second supplement will not be accepted. This might result in claim rejections from MIDAS as E002010; in which case, the affected Course should be reopened, the Supplement removed, recompleted, and the Claim resubmitted.
3. For Posterior Supplement 3(e) where the filling is on the mesial and/or distal marginal ridge of a premolar or molar tooth, there are additional conditions specific to Age, Pregnancy, Breast Feeding or External Recommendations. Most of these are observed based on Patient's Date of Birth vs. the Course Date of Acceptance and if the Patient has either the Pregnant or Had Baby within 12 Months exemption active.
  However, the Letter Recommendation cannot be observed, so clinicians will need to add any necessary 3(e) Supplement manually in that instance.
4. If multiple fillings are applied to the same tooth, then only the most suitable supplement will be applied automatically. Likewise, a Supplement can only be automatically added once even if two of the same fillings are added to the same tooth. This is to observe the unique Supplement rule per Tooth within the same Claim MIDAS Rule.
5. If different combinations of fillings are applied to the same tooth, R4+ will deduce the best combination of unique Supplements allowed by MIDAS. This considers mixed material situations where only one of the fillings is resin where multiple single and/or combination fillings are used to determine the expected Supplement(s).
6. Clinicians can still choose to delete any Automatic Supplement(s) proposed or manually add further Supplements alongside any Treatments they deem fit to include during a Course of Treatment.
NHS Northern Ireland – Introduction of Universal Credit ExemptionNHS Northern Ireland – Introduction of Universal Credit Exemption

The HSCNI have been asked by the BSO to introduce the Universal Credit Exemption to collate information in relation to patients who attend for Dental Treatment. Patients are now able to access the Universal Credit Exemption on their Patient Record > Schemes Tab and with new FP17 claims from August 31st, 2025.
Microsoft SQL Server 2022 – In Situ Upgrade SupportMicrosoft SQL Server 2022 – In Situ Upgrade Support

R4+ v8.8.0 will now support SQL 2022; however, it will only currently allow an In Situ upgrade of the existing SQL Server version that is already present alongside R4+. This is to allow customers an immediate upgrade path given that SQL 2019 is no longer in Mainstream Support as of February 28th, 2025 (Extended Support through January 8th, 2030). The ability to undertake fresh installs with SQL 2022 will be available in an upcoming release.