Before submitting a request to register your phone number for 10DLC, review the options available for connecting your office phone number to SMS messaging. Dental Intelligence provides two solutions, with the 10DLC Campaign Registration offering an enhanced upgrade to the Inbound SMS Porting Request. It’s essential to understand the requirements and expectations for each option.
Inbound SMS Porting Request
This option enables your office phone number to receive text messages only. Outbound messages, including automated texts, will still be sent using your Toll-Free Number (TFN).
Timeline: Phone number porting typically takes 5–7 business days, barring complications.
Best for: Offices that want to provide patients the convenience of texting their main office number without altering existing outbound SMS processes.
Why we recommend using a verified toll-free number
By default, Engagement uses a verified toll-free number for all communication sent to patients. The majority of practices use the Engagement provided number to ensure a more seamless experience. The reason we use a toll-free number is due to the verification process that prevents most false-positive blocking so that your patients receive your messages. You can find your verified toll-free number in Engagement Settings > Practice Setup > Practice Info.
Having a verified toll-free number drastically reduces the number of false-positive blocks that may occur. Blocks on the verified toll-free number require intervention from our Support Team to resolve and take between 2-4 business days to resolve.
Keep your patients informed about your contact information
We recommend sending out an informative email campaign to let your patients know that they can save your practice's Engagement-provided number to call or text your practice when they need to get in touch!
Click here to learn more about how to create an email campaign.
10DLC Campaign Registration (Upgrade)
The 10DLC Campaign Registration builds on the Inbound SMS Porting Request by enabling your office phone number to serve as the primary number for all SMS communications, including inbound, outbound, and automated messages like appointment reminders, recalls, and marketing campaigns. However, this option requires compliance with strict 10DLC regulations established by mobile carriers.
Requirements: To register for 10DLC, your practice must:
Provide the necessary details for verified business registration. These details will be gathered as part of this form.
Host and maintain a terms of service and privacy policy on your marketing website, ensuring they are accessible to your patients.
Adhere to message content standards, avoiding prohibited content such as spam, sensitive topics, or any messaging that violates carrier guidelines (as detailed here).
Cost: A monthly fee will be added to your account depending on usage from the previous month.
$15 per month: Less than 2,000 outbound SMS segments per day, and less than 15,000 outbound SMS segments in a month
$30 per month: More than 2,000 outbound SMS segments per day, or more than 15,000 outbound SMS segments in a month
Timeline: Requires phone number porting first, followed by 5–6 weeks for campaign registration.
During Registration: Your TFN remains active to ensure seamless communication until the upgrade is complete.
Best for: Offices seeking to streamline communication with patients using one unified number for all SMS interactions and willing to comply with 10DLC’s regulatory requirements.
Which Should You Choose?
Consider your office’s communication needs and readiness to meet compliance standards:
Start with the Inbound SMS Porting Request if your immediate goal is to allow patients to text your office’s main number while continuing to rely on your TFN for outbound messages. This is an excellent entry point for SMS messaging.
Choose the 10DLC Campaign Registration Upgrade if you want to unlock full SMS functionality with your office’s phone number, including two-way communication and automated messaging. Ensure your practice is prepared to meet the 10DLC compliance requirements outlined above.
Maintaining Communication
Both options ensure uninterrupted communication with patients. The Inbound SMS Porting Request is completed within 5–7 business days, and the 10DLC Campaign Registration Upgrade requires an additional 5–6 weeks after porting. During this time, your TFN remains active for outbound messaging.
If you would still like to submit a request to have your local number ported with the 10DLC Campaign for texting purposes, click here to fill out the request form.
Want to know more about A2P 10DLC? Check out our FAQ article here.