High Accuracy Mode is a setting in Bola that prioritizes clinical accuracy by filtering noise. When it is on, Bola requires a minimum of 3 consecutive readings before accepting a pocket depth (PD) or gingival margin (GM) measurement. Anything less triggers a visual warning instead of charting.
This setting only affects PDs and GMs. It is separate from High Accuracy Mode Bleeding, which controls whether bleeding requires the "add" prefix.
What "3 consecutive readings" means
When you call out a PD or GM measurement, Bola listens for 3 numbers in sequence. If it hears fewer than 3, it shows a warning and does not chart the partial measurement. This filters out accidental partial reads, mid-sentence corrections, and ambient speech that might otherwise land on the chart.
With High Accuracy Mode on
"323 buccal" charts 3, 2, 3 across the buccal sites of the active tooth.
"32 buccal" displays a warning box and does not chart. Bola heard only 2 readings.
The warning lets you re-state the full measurement before moving on.
With High Accuracy Mode off
Bola charts whatever it hears, including partial measurements like "32" (which would chart only 2 sites).
This is faster but more prone to mischarted values when a reading gets cut off or a colleague speaks over you.
Default state
High Accuracy Mode is off by default. Most users turn it on in noisy operatories or when training staff on consistent measurement cadence.
How to turn it on or off
Desktop App
Open the Bola desktop app
Click Options
Click Charting Settings
Toggle High Accuracy Mode on or off
Chrome Extension
Click the cog wheel (two icons to the right of the mic button) in the Bola extension
Click Mic Settings
Toggle High Accuracy Mode on or off
The setting saves and takes effect automatically. No restart required.
Should I use High Accuracy Mode?
Turn it on if:
You work in a noisy operatory
You have had issues with Bola charting partial or wrong measurements
You want a clear visual signal when a measurement does not get fully heard
You are training new staff and want them to call full triplets every time
Leave it off if:
You want maximum speed and your accuracy is already good
You prefer to chart partial measurements (for example, calling 2 sites and skipping the third)
You find the warning box interruptive to your workflow
You can toggle at any time. Try it both ways and see what fits your operatory.
Troubleshooting
A warning box keeps appearing every time I chart
You are likely calling fewer than 3 numbers per PD or GM measurement. Either say all 3 numbers in sequence (for example, "323 buccal") or turn High Accuracy Mode off.
My measurements stopped charting after a recent update
Check whether High Accuracy Mode got turned on. If so, you have two options: keep it on and call full 3-number measurements, or turn it off in Charting Settings (desktop) or Mic Settings (extension).
Measurements chart but bleeding does not
That is a separate setting. See High Accuracy Mode Bleeding for the "add" prefix requirement that controls bleeding commands.
Not sure which mode you are in
Open the desktop app → Options → Charting Settings, or in the extension click the cog wheel → Mic Settings. The toggle shows the current state.
If you are still stuck, reach out and let us know your EHR (Dentrix, Eaglesoft, Open Dental, Curve, Ascend, etc.).