Putting technology in place successfully.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This article discusses how to integrate clinical and administrative workstations into your dental practice from the planning phase to the implementation phase. The author discusses the costs that are associated with integrating technology, as well as the hardware components and configuration. He then discusses in greater detail the core clinical technologies and how they tie in together to facilitate building a cohesive digital patient record. CONCLUSIONS: There are no shortcuts to successfully integrating technology into a dental practice. A significant commitment of time, energy and money is a prerequisite to building a secure and reliable computer network that incorporates all clinical and administrative applications. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Technology is reinventing the world, and dentists need to keep pace with the people they serve. These new and not-so-new technologies will enhance dental services and productivity, which ultimately will raise the bar for the standard of care in dentistry.