Data and IT Systems in a Dental Office

Running head : INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Dental Information Technology

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University /College

Professor /Instructor

Class /Subject

Dental Information Technology

Information Technology or IT as it is often called has always been the talk of the modern world . Just like all other technologies , IT facilitates easier ways to processes and simpler solutions to problems not only in the home but most especially in the workplace . IT encompasses all computer hardware and software , the networks that link to computers , and the methods that alter information and images to different

formats such as digital formats (Patterson , 2000 ,

. 1 . This of IT makes it very useful on data management in the workplace such as the dental office

To further illustrate the significance of IT in the dental office , the information generated and needed by such an office should first be evaluated . There are several basic types of team structures for human services . The dental office belongs to one of these types known as the sole practitioner model . In the sole practitioner model , each staff member individually manages his client relations (NPower , 2005 ,

. 17 The dentist relates to his client individually . As a patient enters the clinic for the first time , the staff nurse usually collects personal information from the patient . If the patient has already been to the office once , then it would only entail an update on the personal data Personal information and accounting of patient 's consultation visits and check-ups are better managed by a desktop computer that inputs or edits any new data regarding the patient . Even better , a networking system can be created throughout the whole dental office linking all the computers thus , linking the nurse 's computer with the dentist 's computer making communication and data exchange more effective . Software applications used for these types of data gathering can just be simple word processing applications where s can be saved into a database that can be accessed by the staff members

Another element in a dental office that can be modified by IT is the external communications that the office needs to control . This is done by linking the computers in the workplace to the internet . By having an internet connection , the dentist and the staff can further communicate with the patient in an easier and cheaper way which is by the use of electronic mail , also known as e-mail . The office also should have a fax machine linked to the computers to so that documents can be delivered faster and easier . Furthermore , a printer can also be located in the office . This can be very helpful with the production of important documents such as dental certificates for patients who need it for different purposes . In addition , the printer can also be used to manufacture personalized business cards for the office . Business cards can equip the office with further promotions . The printer can also be used to print fliers that can be distributed for advertising thus lifting a very great burden from the marketing department of...