Dr. Levin is on the faculty of several dental schools and serves as a consultant to the American Dental Association Council on Dental Practice. He is an accredited member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and a diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists and has completed the L.D. Pankey Institute's continuum series. Contact the Levin Group at 410-654-1234, or e-mail: LevinGrp@aol.

Building Tomorrow’s High-Tech Practice Today

As dentistry, like all businesses, continues to grow and change rapidly, dental technology begins to play a larger role than ever before. Dental technology has never been as advanced or of as high quality as it is today. Despite the fact that we are only at the beginning of this trend, it is literally revolutionizing dental practices.

Over the last ten years, many new types of technology have emerged. Some have been exceptional and some have not been exactly what we expected. However, we are now seeing much progress in practice efficiency as dental practice software and equipment help us reach new levels.

The High-Tech Scenario

Imagine: a patient calls your office responding to your marketing outreach program. When this patient calls your office, he or she listens to an informational message about the doctor and practice services while on hold. You quickly schedule the patient by completing a new patient information form that pops up on your computer monitor, prompts you with all of the questions you need to ask the new patient, and automatically creates a temporary electronic file for the new patient. This file will remain active if the new patient visits the practice within two weeks of the appointed time and will automatically terminate if the new patient does not visit the practice within that time frame.

When the new patient arrives at your office, he or she checks in by touching his or her name on a touch screen. After that initial visit, the new patient will be able to identify himself or herself by a photograph on the screen. A mere touch alerts the office that the patient has arrived. Remember, though, that we still need to add the personal touch by greeting the patient, welcoming the patient to the practice, and conversing briefly with the patient.

When the new patient has checked in, the front desk coordinator opens a new file, asks the patient a series of questions, and creates a permanent electronic file. The patient completes the medical and dental history information, and, eventually, even this will be completed via some type of touch screen or voice input. The front desk coordinator notes any interests or chief complaints on the computer record and directs the file to the clinical area so clinical staff can view the file when the patient is in the operatory.

When the patient enters the clinical area, a staff member takes radiographs through a digital radiography technique, which decreases radiation and results in higher levels of clarity. The doctor, the assistant, the patient, and the patient’s insurance company can view these radiographs, and the practice will permanently retain them in the patient’s electronic file.

The patient then undergoes a comprehensive exam. The exam includes taking intraoral camera images, which are stored tooth by tooth, quadrant by quadrant, and arch by arch, as well as full face and profile shots. These images are also stored in the patient’s computer file. The patient is able to see exactly what is happening during his or her examination, which promotes understanding of any specific needs, concerns, or possible elective enhancements.

The dentist then establishes periodontal probing depths using an automated periodontal probe that records all information in the patient’s computer file, including information about bleeding, attachment levels, inflammation, and other important periodontal notations. This leads to a complete understanding of the patient’s periodontal health.

If necessary, the patient may be able to receive air abrasive procedures, with composite bonding as one option for certain types of restorations. A milling machine could create any porcelain inlays or onlays, as well as certain cosmetic procedures.

Finally, the patient and the scheduling coordinator determine the patient’s next appointment, which a staff member enters into software programs that provide automatic reminders and automated confirmation calls. If any patients have not completed treatment, the computer system triggers regular reminders, which instruct you to communicate with these patients. Levels of remaining insurance coverage are recorded and accessible, and all insurance coverage will be filed electronically with a tag of any x-rays, photographs, etc., that must be communicated to the insurance company.

The Reality of High-Tech Dentistry

Is all of this possible? Not only is it possible, but 80% of what I have described above already exists.

The reality is that technology will be a major factor in the future efficiency of dental practices. According to dental technology expert Marshall Salzman (1-888-781-5324, MDSALZMAN@MSN.COM):

The technology revolution in dentistry is just beginning. Practices will run more profitably, more efficiently, and easier than ever before.

As I have learned through my conversations with Mr. Salzman, the practice that is technologically advanced will be the practice that will have a significant competitive advantage. This is true whether you are trying to create value for a new patient generated by your marketing, or take a patient through an entire system to build value for treatment they need or want. Taking advantage of advanced technology shows patients that you are committed to providing them with the fastest, most comfortable, safest, and best quality care possible.