How To Add A Dentist On DS Core As A Lab? 3 Proven Ways

DS Core, the cloud platform from Dentsply Sirona, is now the only place labs and dentists connect for digital case transfer. Connect Case Center's shutdown is complete, and every lab still relying on old habits needs a working DS Core setup. This guide covers all three ways to add a dentist, the tier each needs, and fixes for common errors.

TL;DR

• Add dentists three ways: direct invitation, directory discovery, or file sharing for analog dentists still using paper impressions.

• Connect Case Center's shutdown finished on May 15, 2026, so DS Core now carries every dentist-lab connection.

• Propose your lab as preferred during the invite, so the dentist only has to click accept.

• File sharing with non-digital dentists requires a paid DS Core Light subscription, not the free ordering tier.

Understanding DS Core Lab and Dentist Connections

Before diving into the specific methods for adding dentists, it helps to understand how DS Core structures the lab-practice relationship. The platform runs on a two-way connection model built to satisfy HIPAA and GDPR requirements.

How The Connection Works

Setting up a lab profile on DS Core makes it visible in the platform's directory. Dentists can search for labs based on location, services offered, and specializations. Once a dentist adds a lab as their preferred partner, the lab can receive orders directly through the platform. The lab can also view intraoral scans, comparable to output from an intraoral scanner like iTero or Primescan, in the 3D web viewer. It can also exchange messages through the built-in chat function and share design files for approval.

The connection works in reverse too. Labs can proactively invite dentists to join DS Core and propose themselves as preferred partners. This works well for bringing existing clients onto the platform while also attracting new customers through the directory.

Prerequisites For Labs

Adding dentists requires a few things to be in place first. The right account tier matters more than most labs expect.

• An active DS Core lab account, with free accounts covering basic ordering, file viewing, and chat

• A completed lab profile with your services, working hours, and location

• Directory visibility is enabled in your settings

• A paid DS Core Light subscription or higher, if the lab plans to digitize models and share files with dentists who are not yet on DS Core

• Optional: Integration with inLab software or 3Shape Dental System version 23.1.0 or higher for basic case transfer, or 25.3.0 for Atlantis abutment submission

Method #1: Send a Direct Invitation Through DS Core

The most direct way to add a dentist to a DS Core network is through the platform's invitation feature. This method works whether the dentist has a DS Core account or needs to create one. Per Dentsply Sirona, labs can invite dentists regardless of which intraoral scanner the practice uses.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Follow these steps to send an invitation to a dentist.

1. Log in to your DS Core account at dscore.com using your lab credentials

2. Open Lab Configuration through the settings menu at the top right of your dashboard

3. Find the Invite Dentists feature in your lab management options

4. Enter the dentist's email address in the invitation form

5. Select the option to propose yourself as their preferred lab to skip the directory search step entirely

6. Click Send Invitation to dispatch the email

7. Wait for the dentist to accept through the link in their email

When a lab proposes itself as preferred during the invitation, the dentist only needs to click accept. This eliminates the need for them to search the directory and manually add the lab, which speeds up onboarding for both sides.

Method #2: Get Discovered Through The Lab Directory

The second method for connecting with dentists involves optimizing a lab profile so practices can find it in the directory. This passive approach requires less outreach but depends on having a complete, compelling profile.

Optimizing Your Lab Profile For Discovery

A well-configured profile increases visibility to dentists searching for lab partners. These steps maximize discoverability.

1. Open Lab Configuration from your DS Core dashboard

2. Fill every profile field, including lab name, physical address, contact details, and business hours

3. List all services, such as crowns, bridges, implant restorations, orthodontic appliances, and specialty items

4. Verify that directory visibility is enabled in your privacy settings

5. Add specializations or certifications that set the lab apart

How Dentists Find And Add Your Lab

Understanding the dentist's perspective helps in optimizing a profile for their search behavior. Per Dentsply Sirona documentation, dentists add a preferred lab through this flow.

1. They log into DS Core and click Practice account at the top right

2. They select Practice from the dropdown menu

3. They open the Preferred Labs section

4. They click Add preferred lab to open the directory search

5. They search for the lab by name or location, whether they scan with iTero, Primescan, or a competing system like 3Shape TRIOS

6. They click Add lab and confirm in the pop-up window

Once added, the lab appears as active in the dentist's preferred labs list. Orders can start coming in immediately.

Method #3: Build Connections Through File Sharing

The third method takes a more gradual approach to building dentist relationships on DS Core. Instead of a formal invitation, a lab can use DS Core Light's file-sharing tools to introduce a dentist to the platform directly.

This method requires an active DS Core Light subscription or higher, since the free tier skips file digitization and storage. It works well for dentists who have not fully gone digital.

• Share digitized models and design files via DS Core's email sharing function

• Recipients receive a link to view files directly in DS Core without needing a subscription

• Include information about DS Core registration in your communications

• Follow up with a formal invitation once they've experienced the platform's benefits

This approach helps a dentist still using traditional impression trays see the value of digital collaboration first. A lab handling broader case coordination can pair a dental treatment plan with the shared files. The dentist then sees both the scan and the proposed restorative sequence in one place.

Common DS Core Connection Errors and How To Fix Them

Even with straightforward processes, technical issues can arise when connecting labs and dentists on DS Core. The table below outlines the most common errors and solutions, based on support documentation from Dentsply Sirona and integration partners.

General Troubleshooting Steps

If the specific solutions above don't resolve a persistent issue, try these general troubleshooting steps.

• Clear the browser cache and cookies, then attempt the action again

• Test internet connection stability, since DS Core requires a consistent connection

• Try accessing DS Core from a different browser or device

• Check for maintenance announcements on the DS Core platform

• Contact DS Core support or submit a request through the customer support portal

Connecting DS Core With Your Design Software

DS Core's value increases once it connects to an existing CAD/CAM workflow. Direct connections with major dental design software let scan files and orders open without manual downloads or file conversions.

3Shape Dental System Integration

According to 3Shape's support documentation, labs with LabCare packages can receive Dentsply Sirona scans directly into the 3Shape Communicate Inbox free of charge. The integration requires:

• 3Shape Dental System version 23.1.0 or higher

• An updated dongle through the Dental System Control Panel

• DS Core integration is enabled in the 3Shape Communicate settings

• Support for Primescan and Omnicam scanners

Orders placed on DS Core transfer to a lab's 3Shape Communicate account. Scans download within one to two minutes, and the margin lines set on the scanner appear in Dental Designer. From Dental System 25.3.0, labs can also submit Atlantis custom abutment cases directly from the software.

InLab Software Connection

For labs running Dentsply Sirona inLab software, the connection follows five steps.

1. Download the DI and CAD/CAM Connector from the DS Downloads page

2. Install the Connector on every workstation running inLab CAD or CAM

3. Open the Connector from the Windows system tray

4. Open a connection to DS Core, then log in with lab credentials

5. Verify that the workstation appears in the Equipment section of DS Core

This connection opens .dxd files directly in inLab CAD from DS Core, cutting out manual transfers and version confusion.

Supported File Formats

DS Core accommodates various file formats to stay compatible with different CAD/CAM systems.

• Native formats: .dxd files for direct inLab import

• Universal formats: .stl, .ply, and .obj for third-party software such as 3Shape TRIOS or iTero Lumina

• Exocad-compatible exports for labs using that platform

• 3D web viewer support for STL, PLY, and OBJ files directly in the browser

Best Practices For Managing Dentist Relationships

Building a strong network of dentist connections on DS Core requires more than sending invitations. These practices help maintain productive relationships and get the most out of the platform.

• Confirm every migrated client. Connect Case Center's lab access closed on May 15, 2026, so check that former CCC partners now connect through DS Core.

• Audit connections quarterly. A dentist who accepted an invitation months ago can still let the connection go stale if nobody checks in.

• Keep the lab profile current. Update services, hours, and contact information regularly, so dentists have accurate expectations.

• Use the built-in chat for case clarifications. The messenger-style communication keeps case-related discussions in one place and maintains HIPAA compliance.

• Send design proposals through DS Core. Sharing designs for the dentist's approval creates a documented workflow and reduces miscommunication.

• Export PDF worksheets for internal documentation. The worksheet feature captures order details, patient information, and treatment specifications for lab records.

• Take advantage of free onboarding. Dentsply Sirona offers consultation and onboarding sessions in multiple languages to help labs get more out of DS Core.

Bottom Line

Adding dentists to DS Core as a lab comes down to three methods. Direct invitations, directory discovery, and file sharing each fit a different situation. Connect Case Center's shutdown is complete, so DS Core now handles every digital dentist-lab connection. Invite existing clients, complete the directory profile, and confirm the right account tier for file sharing. For broader context, see this site's overview of the advantages of CAD/CAM in dentistry, the chairside milling breakdown, and the MyITero setup guide for labs working with iTero-scanning dentists.