Some managers might wonder how data (usually only a single copy) kept on unencrypted hardware with minimal security measures can be more secure than files stored with reputed cloud providers. And they would be right to doubt the fearmongers. While the current news climate may try to make local storage appear attractive, organizations need to…
Dental hygienists are one of the most important employees in a practice, other than the dentist themselves. They are responsible for patient education, assisting the dentist, cleaning teeth etc. Most patients will have to spend some time with the hygienist who will assess the health of their teeth/gums and communicate any issues to the dentist so…
Practices are faced with ever increasing premiums for medical liability. While this cost cannot be directly controlled, it can be influenced by certain factors like the implementation of EHR systems in the clinic. Even though there isn’t enough proof that EHRs can reduce the risk of doctors, many liability carriers offer a discount on premiums to…
When EHRs were first introduced, they were bulky and cumbersome standalone software that had to be licensed, installed and maintained. They were also expensive enough that only hospitals and large multi-speciality practices could afford them. This left solo and small practices with few alternatives to paper records. There was considerable concern…
Want to avail efficient work practices, convenience and mobility at your dental office? There’s so much you can do with just two things, provided you use them in the right way. All you need is a mobile tablet and a great software application, and you will actually be able to completely transform the way in which you conduct your job role. Just…
When dentists start their own practice, they are mostly concerned with the clinical aspects of treating patients such as providing quality dental care, maintaining a good relationship with all their clients etc. But doctors should remember that running a practice also requires good business skills in other areas such as practice management.
Once the decision to switch from paper records has been made, practices face the daunting task of digitizing charts, patient correspondence, consulting notes etc. Before starting the conversion process, patient records have to be checked for completeness and accuracy. Once the data has been checked and categorized according to priority or utility,…
More dental practices are starting to see the value of social media and are using it effectively to generate referrals and positive word-of-mouth. Just like other business owners, dentists can also benefit from the increased exposure that comes with having positive reviews on their website, blog, review sites or social media profiles.
The most common challenge facing dental practices today is how to get new patients. With higher insurance premiums and the escalating cost of dental work, many people are opting to postpone treatment or even avoid going to the dentist altogether. In such a scenario, it’s not surprising that dentists are struggling to get more patients into their…
One of the reasons often cited by dentists to delay adopting EDR systems is that they are not very tech savvy, which may be surprising to hear considering that most medical professionals handle sophisticated technology every day. In the health industry, lack of tech savvy doesn’t necessarily equate to being a technophobe.
Marketing is an important tool for dental practices to attract prospective clients. Effective marketing methods may mean the difference between a flourishing and a struggling clinic. However, many dentists cannot afford to spend a lot of money on marketing themselves, especially those who work alone or in small practices. This does not mean you…
Electronic health records have come a long way in the last decade with 48% of physician practices having implemented a basic EHR system in 2013, up from a mere 11% in 2001 (According to the survey by NCHS, January 2014). The health IT market has expanded considerably with vendors offering customized solutions for various specializations,…
Many clinics and hospitals all over the country are participating in the EHR incentive program. Before being able to attest for meaningful use objectives, participants will have to show that they are using a certified EHR system. EHRs may be certified as complete or modular.
A successful dental practice requires great employees who can work together in delivering excellent service to clients. Hiring the right people for various jobs can be a long and tedious process, so many dentists rush through the process and end up regretting their choices later. Sometimes, practice owners just focus on technical skills and…
Dental practices may implement electronic dental record systems (EDR) for a number of reasons – to save time, increase productivity, offer better patient care and so on. Increasing profitability is another, whether it is through reduced costs, increased efficiency or
Patient health data is sensitive information and protected by various laws such as the HITECH act and HIPAA rule. Healthcare entities, doctors, nurses and other employees are bound to protect patient data and ensure that it remains confidential. Patients themselves are worried that sharing health information (such as a diagnosis of mental illness)…
