Look Before You Leap into Dental Systems Technology Challenges, barriers and risk Presented by Manny Molina Dental Informatics Director Catalyst Institute

What is Dental Technology Practice Management software applications Electronic Dental Record software applications HL7 interface standard or system integration efforts. Office automation - decentralization of dental offices Patient education in operatory setting and online web-based sites. Technology advances in digital imaging, document management and voice recognition

Challenges to CHC’s Medical takes priority over Dental initiatives Force to use an Electronic charting system meant for medical and not dental. Limited staff resources and lack of funding capital The various educational levels of support staff Project Management of dental system implementation Lack of dental technology expertise Knowing where to go for help and direction

Things to be aware of … Organize before you implement, if you have a disorganize office before you computerized then after you computerize, you will have a computerized, disorganize office. Choose if dental will continue to be part of the overall central patient registration and scheduling system of the CHC or a stand-alone. Come to a decision if dental billing will continue within the central billing of the CHC or will you run dental billing on the new system

Things to be aware of (continued)… Prepare to either update or create new policies and procedures to reflect electronic systems and infection control. Be aware of the learning curve on any application, the most expensive part of any system you are looking into is the time it takes your staff to learn and get trained Don’t believe all sales promises (vaporware). If you cannot see it, touch it or watch it operate, than consider that it doesn’t exist.

What to look for in a DR System A module system that contains these main business and clinical modules. Practice Management Module Electronic Charting Module Document Management Module Digital Imaging Module

Key Charting features Dental charting (Existing and performed) Customized Health history questions Treatment planning, tracking of procedures performed and pending Able to set when notes/chart are locked, manual and automatic Ability to store digital diagnostic images for viewing Prescription writing and password protected Perio Data and Graphic charting Patient education

What to integrate? 1. Patient Registration: If integrated with a medical system then you will share same patient demographics and eliminate duplication. 2. Patient Scheduling: If integrated with your current PMS then you will have a central scheduling system that is transparent to what application it uses. 3. Central Billing: If integrated then you will eliminate having different systems to bill from and running separate financial and visit reports

Presented by Manny Molina Dental Informatics Director Leadership Think outside the box Be creative Don’t fear the unknown Acknowledge success Be open to change Presented by Manny Molina Dental Informatics Director Catalyst Institute