Open Dental Forum

Good Day,

I'm currently using ShortQuery API to retrieve information from the patient table. There are instances where some patients EstBalance doesn't show their correct updated value (still showing the old value). I need to go to Open Dental find the patient and then go their Account tab in order for the EstBalance to be updated on the ShortQuery API call.

Note that we use the Claims, ClaimProcs, and ClaimPayments API when applying payment to claims. So my guess is similar with the issue we had in the past. When claims are being processed by the API I think some events are not firing that causes the EstBalance not to update real time.

Let me know what you think.

Allen

dr4com4lfoy wrote: Thu Oct 15, 2026 11:04 am Good Day,

I'm currently using ShortQuery API to retrieve information from the patient table. There are instances where some patients EstBalance doesn't show their correct updated value (still showing the old value). I need to go to Open Dental find the patient and then go their Account tab in order for the EstBalance to be updated on the ShortQuery API call.

Note that we use the Claims, ClaimProcs, and ClaimPayments API when applying payment to claims. So my guess is similar with the issue we had in the past. When claims are being processed by the API I think some events are not firing that causes the EstBalance not to update real time.

Let me know what you think.

Allen

Hello dr4com4lfoy,

There aren't missing signals in the claims (and claim related) endpoints. In Open Dental, when you select the Account Module, multiple queries and complex logic is ran for the patient and their family. Likewise, when you make edits to claims, payments, etc. in the Account Module, the module is refreshed and reruns those queries and complex logic.

For example, if you completed a procedure in the Appointment Module but don't click on the Account Module, the patient's EstBalance will not be updated to reflect changes from the completed procedure. Once the Account Module is selected for that patient, the EstBalance will then be updated.

To update these values via API (or simulate clicking on the Account Module in the UI), you can use the AccountModules GET PatientBalances endpoint. That will run the same logic Open Dental uses to update the EstBalance field and can be ran before your ShortQuery request to produce accurate results.

Thanks!