> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.api.dental/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Quick Start

> Make your first dental eligibility verification request in minutes using the TypeScript SDK, REST API, or GraphQL.

Get started with API Dental in three steps: install, authenticate, and make your first request.

## Prerequisites

* An API Dental account ([sign up here](https://api.dental/pricing))
* Your API key (available in the [Dashboard](https://api.dental/dashboard) after sign-up)

<Warning>
  Keep your API keys secure. Do not share them in publicly accessible areas such as GitHub, client-side code, or public repositories.
</Warning>

## Step 1: Install the SDK

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash npm theme={null}
  npm install api-dental
  ```

  ```bash yarn theme={null}
  yarn add api-dental
  ```

  ```bash pnpm theme={null}
  pnpm add api-dental
  ```

  ```bash .NET theme={null}
  dotnet add package APIDentalPro
  ```
</CodeGroup>

## Step 2: Initialize the Client

<CodeGroup>
  ```typescript TypeScript theme={null}
  import APIDental from 'api-dental';

  const client = new APIDental({
    apiKey: process.env['API_DENTAL_API_KEY'],
  });
  ```

  ```csharp C# theme={null}
  using APIDentalPro;

  APIDentalProClient client = new() { APIKey = "your-api-key" };
  ```

  ```bash cURL theme={null}
  # Pass your API key as a header
  curl -X POST https://wg.api.dental/rest/Eligibility \
    -H "X-Token-API: your-api-key" \
    -H "Content-Type: application/json"
  ```
</CodeGroup>

## Step 3: Make Your First Request

<CodeGroup>
  ```typescript TypeScript theme={null}
  const response = await client.eligibility.request(
    {
      payer: { id: '52133' },
      provider: { npi: '1447364856', tax_id: '270872579' },
      subscriber: {
        first_name: 'John',
        last_name: 'Smith',
        member_id: '123456789',
        group_number: 'GRP001',
        dob: '01/15/1990',
      },
      version: 'v2',
    },
    {
      headers: {
        'Content-Type': 'application/json',
        'Accept': 'application/json',
      },
    }
  );
  ```

  ```csharp C# theme={null}
  using APIDentalPro.Models.Eligibility;

  EligibilityRequestParams parameters = new()
  {
      Payer = new("52133"),
      Provider = new()
      {
          Npi = "1447364856",
          TaxID = "270872579",
      },
      Subscriber = new()
      {
          FirstName = "John",
          LastName = "Smith",
          MemberID = "123456789",
          GroupNumber = "GRP001",
          Dob = DateOnly.Parse("1990-01-15"),
      },
      Version = "v2",
  };

  var response = await client.Eligibility.Request(parameters);
  ```

  ```bash cURL theme={null}
  curl -X POST https://wg.api.dental/rest/Eligibility \
    -H "X-Token-API: your-api-key" \
    -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
    -d '{
      "payer": { "id": "52133" },
      "provider": { "npi": "1447364856", "tax_id": "270872579" },
      "subscriber": {
        "first_name": "John",
        "last_name": "Smith",
        "member_id": "123456789",
        "dob": "01/15/1990",
        "group_number": "GRP001"
      },
      "version": "v2"
    }'
  ```
</CodeGroup>

### Including a Dependent

To check eligibility for a dependent (e.g., a child on the subscriber's plan), add the `dependent` field:

```typescript theme={null}
const response = await client.eligibility.request({
  payer: { id: '52133' },
  provider: { npi: '1447364856', tax_id: '270872579' },
  subscriber: {
    first_name: 'John',
    last_name: 'Smith',
    member_id: '123456789',
    group_number: 'GRP001',
    dob: '01/15/1990',
  },
  dependent: {
    first_name: 'Jane',
    last_name: 'Smith',
    member_id: '123456789',
    group_number: 'GRP001',
    dob: '02/02/1992',
  },
  version: 'v2',
});
```

## What's Next?

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card icon="shield" href="/apis/eligibility" title="Eligibility API">
    Learn about the full Eligibility API with REST and GraphQL examples
  </Card>

  <Card icon="magnifying-glass" href="/apis/clearcoverage" title="ClearCoverage API">
    Get enriched eligibility data from 44+ ClearCoverage carriers
  </Card>

  <Card icon="code" href="/api-reference/overview" title="API Reference">
    Explore the full API reference with interactive playground
  </Card>

  <Card icon="wand-magic-sparkles" href="/features/true-eligibility" title="True Eligibility">
    Transform raw responses into 100+ standardized fields
  </Card>
</CardGroup>