Texting is how most patients prefer to communicate. FrontDesk turns every phone number into a 2-way SMS channel that your whole team can see and respond to.
Send a text
- Open Inbox → Messages.
- Click + New Message.
- Pick a recipient — search by patient name or paste a phone number.
- Pick a from number (if you have multiple).
- Type your message and hit Send.
Messages send within seconds. You'll see delivery status (sent, delivered, failed) update in the thread.
Reply to an inbound text
When a patient texts your practice number, a thread appears in Inbox → Messages with an unread badge. Click the thread and type a reply — same as any messaging app. All teammates see the same thread, so handoffs are clean.
Automated appointment reminders
In Settings → Messaging → Reminders:
- 24-hour reminder — sent the day before
- 1-hour reminder — sent the morning of (or 1 hour before)
- Confirmation request — patient texts back YES to confirm or RESCHEDULE to change
- No-show follow-up — texts the patient 15 minutes after missed appointment
Reminder templates support merge fields like {patient_name}, {provider}, {date}, {time}, {location_name}, {location_address}.
A2P 10DLC for local numbers
US carriers require business SMS on local (10-digit long code) numbers to go through A2P 10DLC registration. Without it:
- Messages may be silently blocked
- Heavy throttling (~1 message/second/number max)
- Some carriers (T-Mobile especially) block hard
Toll-free numbers don't need 10DLC — they have their own free verification process (~3–5 days).
Register for A2P — takes 5 minutes to submit, 1–7 days for carrier approval.
What's next
- Register for A2P 10DLC
- Troubleshoot delivery issues in SMS isn't sending
- Review call logs and transcripts