What About the Future?

"Future Role of Computers in Dentistry"

Until recently, dentists who utilized computers in their practice focused on software that automated patient billing, insurance processing, recall, and office correspondence. And over the past ten years, these systems have matured and become very effective at practice management. However, we are now beginning to see major applications emerge for use in the operatory.

Computers have been slow to enter the operatory due to their limited display speed and data storage capacities. Processing digital video and graphics requires a tremendous amount of computing power.

However, these limitations are being overcome through the dramatic advances in today's powerful computers. As computer technology continues to evolve, more and more applications are finding their way into the operatory.

In fact, much of the hardware and software needed to automate the business side and clinical side of a dental practice are currently available. What is still on the horizon, however, is the fully integrated dental practice in which all the individual hardware and software components link together seamlessly.

Total integration allows all the data that is created by one program to be accessed and manipulated by any other program, from any computer in the practice. Currently, each piece of equipment, and its software, operate as stand-alone products.

For example, many intraoral cameras utilize a TV display and video tape. As analog devices, their images can not be stored directly into a computer. Similarly, most voice and wand activated charting programs have no direct linkage to the business computer. However, even lacking direct integration, both are proving to be extremely effective tools in the operatory.

A few software vendors have struck alliances with each other in an effort to integrate their programs. Unfortunately the data they share tends to be loosely tied together, and your choices of other programs (charting packages, cameras, etc.) are limited to those vendors within the alliance.

So, should you commit to today's computer technology, or wait until full integration becomes a reality? Fortunately, you can do both. Because today's micro computers are upgradable, they no longer become "obsolete", as was the case several years ago. Instead of replacing the entire system, you simply upgrade the internal components as faster, more powerful technology becomes available.

You can take advantage of what is available today, knowing that when full integration becomes possible, you will be able to make the transition smoothly.

As with anything new that is brought into the practice, its success or failure will be affected by how well it is implemented. You can't just throw computer technology at a problem and expect an instant solution.

Take a methodical approach to implementation. Since all applications will ultimately be linked to the business computer, focus on getting this part of your practice stabilized and running efficiently. Once that is done, you'll be ready to incorporate those clinical applications you feel can benefit your practice today, gradually upgrading or replacing them with fully integrated programs as they become available.

The future role of computers in dentistry promises a fully integrated office: paperless, wireless, and seamless. Today's technology, however, is powerful enough to provide very real benefits to any dental practice.

What About the Future?

"Future Role of Computers in Dentistry"

ROBOT courtesy Eclipse Digital Imaging. Contact Art Holden for permission to copy/use.