How to Write a Good Example Note

Think of it this way: Your example note shows Pearl Voice what things are standard in every procedure note. It then combines the infromation in the recording with the standard information to generate the complete clinical note.

A good Example Note reads like a complete, real clinical note from a previous appointment — not a form with empty fields to fill in.

Include:

• Your preferred anesthetic
• The materials you use (bonding agent, composite brand, cement type, etc.)
• Standard procedural steps in the order you perform them
• Routine clinical language your notes always include (e.g., "negative aspiration," "ensured clean margins")
• Default post-op instructions you give for this procedure

Do not include:

• Blank fields or form-style placeholders (e.g., "CC: ___" or "Tooth #: ___")
• Patient-specific details like tooth numbers, measurements, or diagnoses — these come from the live recording
• Procedure details that vary case-by-case

❌ Example Note that will not yield good results

Medical Hx:
CC:
Tooth #:

Anesthetic:
Surfaces:
Services:

✅ Example Note that will produce strong results

A completed, narrative note like: 'Applied 20% benzocaine. Anesthetized using local anesthetic 2% lidocaine w/ 1:100k epinephrine. Negative aspiration. Removed decay, ensured clean margins. Etched with 37% phosphoric acid, rinsed well, dried gently. Applied Optibond Solo Plus, air thinned, light cured 20 seconds. Restored incrementally with Filtek Supreme composite. Patient tolerated procedure well. Post-op instructions given.'

With this example, we can say:

'Number 13 DO composite indicated because of recurrent decay around a large existing amalgam. Anesthetized two carps lido. No complaints. No concerns.'

The compressed note output will be:

'Procedure: Filling #13 DO Dx w/ recurrent decay around a large existing amalgam. LA administered: 2 carpules 2% lidocaine w/ 1:100k epinephrine. Existing amalgam and decay were removed and margins cleaned. Prep was etched w/ 37% phosphoric acid, rinsed, and dried. OptiBond Solo Plus bonding agent was applied and light-cured, followed by placement and light-curing of Filtek Supreme composite. No complications noted; pt understood post-op instructions.'

The easiest way to build your Example Notes

You don't have to write them from scratch:

1. Pull a completed note from a previous patient for the procedure type you're setting up
2. Remove anything patient-specific — tooth numbers, specific findings, measurements
3. Paste what's left into the Example Notes field in Pearl Voice

What remains is your standard language, your materials, and your structure — which is exactly what Voice needs.

If each provider documents differently (different materials, different phrasing), set up separate Example Notes for each provider. Pearl Voice will use that provider's example when they record.