Paperless Records

“Paperless Dentistry” is defined as the practical use of computers as “force multipliers” or “electronic levers” so we can provide more and better patient care in shorter time with less effort¹.

In many dental practices, the paper records are often close to illegible because they involve so many hastily hand-written notes. It is not uncommon for a mature practice to have boxes and boxes of inactive charts stored in a garage or basement. But computer storage is essentially infinite. One hundred years of patient records can be stored in a device about the size of a cell phone. Paper records are very susceptible to fire and flood damage. But in a well-computerized office all records are duplicated and easily retrievable from backups, if it ever becomes necessary.

Searching for paper-based records is also time consuming because it is so dependant upon the accurate filing of the record by the last user. Computers instantly retrieve any chart for any patient, then always re-file it again correctly. And the same patient’s chart can be viewed on several computers simultaneously.

Paper should no longer be used for storage, searching or sorting. These tasks are much better done by computer. The advantages of paperless dentistry are not determined by the brand of dental software. They are determined by how well the office uses the software. Quality dentistry is determined by the skill of the dentist, not the brand of his or her dental hand-piece…It’s the painter, not the brush!

Among all other records, in Silicon Valley Smile Solutions, the dental images (x-rays, intra-oral camera images and extra-oral digital photographs) provide another practical illustration of how our paperless dental practice uses storage, while searching and sorting records very seamlessly.

To learn more or to Schedule an Appointment, call us today at (408) 377-5134.

1. http://www.paperlessdentistry.com/Articles/Paperless%20Dentistry%20-%20the%20Time%20is%20Now.pdf