Mark Peck, DDS Private Practice Scottsdale, Arizona Phone: 480.488.4852 Website: www.dentalstudio101.com

Diverse technologies have come a long way, with evolving products and new gadgets inundating our lives. Whether it is a revamped version of a video game or self-checkout lanes in grocery stores, we see the effects of technological development every day. The dental industry has especially benefited from these advancements and new dental office technology allows practices to operate at optimal efficiency and maximum productivity.

Early Adopter Advantage

Being early adopters (those people who jump at new technology very early), practice management software was installed in our practice in 1989. This early software was insurance-based and did not include charting functions. However, it did allow us to track billing and other day-to-day activities. Also, in the late 1980s our practice made a $30,000 investment, purchasing the very first intraoral camera offered. To think, all of this technology operated on a 256-megabyte server.

Adopting cutting-edge technologies has given our practice tremendous opportunity to grow. Our office has transformed into its current state by constantly keeping up-to-date with technology innovations, and making educated decisions and smart purchases. We now operate on a 180-gigabyte server and use the latest in Patterson EagleSoft practice management and clinical software, as well as imaging programs (Patterson Dental Supply, Inc), which have allowed us to operate as a paperless practice for the past 12 years.

Software programs for patient education and practice management have truly revolutionized the dental industry. With the latest versions of these programs, dental practices have the ability to achieve a completely paperless office. Capability improvements mean patient education and practice management software can touch all areas of a dental practice and staff. From the front office personnel checking insurance eligibility online to an automated service contacting a patient through e-mail or text message to confirm an upcoming appointment, patient education and practice management software improvements have many benefits to offer today’s dental practices.

In our office, practice management software and additional technologies have permitted us to become completely computerized, eliminating the need for front office personnel. This means a patient can start and end his or her appointment with an assistant or hygienist on our staff and build valuable relationships with each clinician. To accompany our practice management software, our practice also integrated Caesy patient education software (Caesy Education Systems). Patient education software allows dental professionals to easily inform patients of treatment plans in the office and takes away the pressure of a hard sell for the staff. The software acts as a third-party marketer and obtains informed consent from patients, decreases consultation time, and helps us achieve better case acceptance. Additionally, it makes the office a friendlier environment for patients by giving clinicians a stress-free method of presenting treatment plans.

In addition to practice management and patient education software, our practice has achieved its efficient state by using additional advanced technologies. For instance, we now offer our patients services, such as 1-visit, chairside restorations (CEREC 3D, Sirona Dental Systems, LLC); oral cancer screening (VELscope, LED Dental Inc); air abrasion (Kreativ Mach 5); and comfortable, ergonomic chairs (A–dec, Inc). The practice also is equipped with intraoral (USBCam, Schick Technologies, Inc) and extraoral (Canon 20D, Canon USA, Inc) cameras in every operatory. While these investments required both financial and time commitments, after being seamlessly integrated into our office, they continue to provide long-term financial benefits.

Office Technologies Changing Dentistry

With the assistance of technology, dentists can now accomplish complicated treatment plans with a level of ease and efficiency never before considered possible. For instance, with our CEREC 3D CAD/CAM technology we can fabricate ceramic dental restorations in a single office visit. What used to take 2 visits or more is now simplified for the patient and significantly more efficient for our practice. For patients needing crowns, veneers, onlays, or fillings, CAD/CAM technology decreases their time dealing with uncomfortable injections and drilling and increases their time spent enjoying a new smile.

Digital radiography is another area where the impact of technology on dentistry is apparent. With our intraoral cameras and digital radiography system (CDR, Schick Technologies, Inc), clear, in-depth images can be taken of our patients in less than 20 seconds. With these devices, images are immediately displayed, making it more efficient to discuss treatment plans with patients. The instant, accurate images on our computer screen clearly illustrate the diagnosis and increase patient acceptance of our treatment plans with a greater level of trust.

Efficiency Through Integration

Overall, office technology contributes directly to our practice’s optimal efficiency and maximum productivity. Purchasing practice management and patient education software was an excellent decision for our business, as the return on investment has greatly outweighed the initial purchase price. Practice management software allows anyone to use the system to accomplish front desk and back office tasks. Our team operates with one less staff member as a result, saving us money every day.

A main advantage of practice management and patient education software for dental practices is the ability to multitask. For example, while a patient is waiting for topical anesthesia to take effect, a staff member can prepare an educational CD detailing proposed treatment or schedule a followup appointment. Practice management software also allows treatment coordinators to participate in financial planning for the practice by coordinating appointments and procedures that maximize productivity. These software programs benefit patients as well. They experience the efficiency of the practice firsthand. Practice management software allows patients to interact consistently with a single staff member throughout the entire appointment—building quality, personal relationships.

All staff members can record information and take notes within a patient’s computerized record; there is no need to take notes on paper or file charts. Bringing up a patient’s digital record takes a few clicks of the mouse, while pulling charts and rifling through documents undoubtedly takes much longer. Other office technologies, such as digital radiography, cut down process time from minutes to seconds. Rather than taking film radiographs and having the patient wait while the film is processed, digital radiographs are instantly available to discuss with the patient.

Using the latest technologies also results in faster procedures and, at times, the ability to perform additional, even unplanned treatments in a single appointment. Technology makes it easy to be proactive regarding the next step in treatment. For example, a patient may express interest in a cosmetic procedure, such as whitening treatments. It takes just a few moments for us to call up an educational presentation on whitening. While the patient is watching the 2- to 3-minute segment, we can quickly print out the presentation for the patient to take home and review. If time allows, we can take before images with the digital camera, bring up the images on-screen in the operatory, and begin a discussion about the patient’s expectations.

The additional benefits of integrating the latest office technology involve the staff. For instance, in our practice management software, we customized the settings and options to suit what works best for us. Every patient record is designed to include information regarding the patient’s most recent oral cancer screening, when the latest set of radiographs were taken, as well as photographs and correspondence with specialists. I have found that practicing efficient, high-tech dentistry has given our staff members a sense of pride. My staff members are proud to give office tours, are eager to refer families, and encourage friends to seek care at the practice. This pride leads to low staff turnover and high-quality customer service. Furthermore, the combination of pride and excellent customer service becomes contagious, creating a practice that is more in tune with its clients, with staff who possess confidence in presenting recommended treatment plans.

Conclusion

Just as a revamped version of a video game offers players an enriched multimedia experience or the selfcheckout lane at a grocery store provides customers efficiency in their daily routine, product advances in dental technology enable dental professionals to provide quality care in a convenient and fun way. Patients experience an enjoyable, well-coordinated appointment, staff members are well-informed and confident about presenting treatment plans, and dentists can control the flow of work within the practice. This all leads to optimal efficiency and maximum productivity with both patients and staff.