Integrating PayFast and Loom: A Guide for South African Dental & Oral Health Businesses
South African Tool
PayFast
South Africa's most widely used payment gateway, supporting EFT, credit cards, SnapScan, and more.
Referral incentives for developers and platforms — contact PayFast directly
Global Tool
Loom
Async video messaging tool for recording and sharing screen recordings, walkthroughs, and team updates.
Why this matters in South Africa
South African dental practices handle appointment-heavy schedules, dental aid claims, and laboratory order tracking across disconnected systems. The average practice loses 6+ hours per week to manual claim submissions and appointment reminders that could be automated — time that should be spent chairside.
Compliance note: Dental practitioners must be registered with the HPCSA under the Dental Therapy and Oral Hygiene Board. Patient data is governed by POPIA. Dental aid billing must align with GEMS, Discovery Health, and Medihelp claim formats.
South African dental practices often struggle with high patient no-show rates and confusion regarding complex medical aid co-payments. By connecting PayFast with Loom, practices can bridge the gap between financial requests and patient comprehension. Instead of sending generic, impersonal payment links for outstanding balances or laboratory-related co-payments, practitioners can record a brief, personalized Loom video explaining the specific dental procedure or the breakdown of a GEMS or Discovery claim. This video is then embedded into a PayFast payment request sent via email or SMS. This workflow ensures patients understand exactly what they are paying for in ZAR, reducing administrative queries and payment delays. Because this process involves sensitive health information, all Loom recordings must be stored securely to remain compliant with POPIA, ensuring that patient data is never exposed while improving the transparency of the billing process.
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How to add PayFast to Loom
- 1
1. Create a dedicated folder within your Loom workspace specifically for patient communication, ensuring that all videos are set to private and password-protected to maintain strict POPIA compliance.
- 2
Set up a free account on an automation platform like Make or Zapier, which will serve as the technical bridge between your practice management software, Loom, and PayFast.
- 3
Configure your practice management software to trigger a webhook whenever a new invoice or co-payment request is generated for a patient, capturing the patient’s email address and the specific ZAR amount due.
- 4
Record a library of standard Loom videos that explain common procedures, such as crown fittings or orthodontic adjustments, and how these relate to typical medical aid shortfalls for providers like Medihelp.
- 5
Use the automation platform to draft an email template that includes the unique PayFast payment link and a placeholder for the personalized or procedure-specific Loom video URL.
- 6
When a patient receives the notification, they can watch the Loom video to understand the clinical necessity of the treatment before clicking the PayFast link to complete the transaction securely.
- 7
Ensure that your PayFast merchant dashboard is configured to send automated payment confirmation receipts to both the patient and your practice’s accounts email for reconciliation against your bank statements.
- 8
Regularly audit your Loom video library and PayFast transaction logs to ensure that no personally identifiable health information is being shared in unsecured formats, keeping your practice aligned with HPCSA data handling standards.
Free calculator
Are you still doing admin manually?
Calculate what it's costing your business in rands
Frequently asked questions
Is PayFast compatible with Loom?
Yes. PayFast and Loom can be connected via their APIs or through automation tools like Zapier. This guide covers the exact process for South African dental & oral health businesses.
How long does the setup take?
Most businesses complete the initial setup in 1–3 hours. If you already have active accounts on both platforms, you can have a basic automation running in under an hour.
Do I need a developer?
Not for basic Zapier-based integrations. Custom API integrations will need development support. Melamu Tech Ventures builds these — get in touch if you need a tailored solution.