Running the Delete Orphaned Patients and Transactions Utility

Run this utility to delete orphaned entries from the patient, account, or transaction data files.

Example:Example:If you delete a patient’s record but do not delete the patient’s transactions, those transactions will reference a patient ID that no longer exists. These transactions become orphaned. Although orphaned entries do not affect your daily operations, they can alter report information.

Save a complete backup in addition to your regular backup before running this utility.

To delete orphaned patients and transactions:

  1. Instruct all users to exit the software.

  2. Select Start > All Programs > SoftDent Software > SoftDent Utilities. The SoftDent Login window is displayed.

  3. Type your user name and password and click OK. The SoftDent Utilities window is displayed.

  4. Select Maintenance > Delete Orphaned Patients and Transactions. A message informs you to save a backup before running this utility.

  5. Click OK. A message asks if you saved a backup.

  6. Click Yes. The Deleting Orphans window is displayed.

  7. When Complete is displayed in the Current Action field, click OK.

  8. When the technical support representative tells you to, restart the software.