Discuss dental practice management software and the benefits it offers to a dental practice

What will be an ideal response?

Answers will vary but should include all or some of the following points:
Dental practice management software simplifies billing, scheduling, and accounting. A complete full-featured system manages digital imaging, clinical charting, and tracking lab cases. A simple practice management software system can help manage all departments and system operations for the office. Almost every imaginable protocol or function needed to operate an office is available in many software packages.
Whether or not to computerize, and to what degree, is a question asked by many dental practices. Although the specific reasons for computerization vary from practice to practice, the motivating factor for most practices is office efficiency. Implementing a practice management software system potentially streamlines the diagnostics, delivery, and management of dentistry. A practice management system can greatly aid the practice in the following areas:
? High-volume transactions: The process of adding new charts, maintaining and updating present charts, and tracking recalls and treatment procedures can be greatly enhanced by a practice management system.
? Repetitive transactions: Repetitive tasks such as posting patient charges and cash receipts, or processing insurance claim forms, can be automatically performed.
? Templated documents: Templates allow generic letters to be created and then combined with patient information in the computer. A single keystroke can generate a personalized letter to any patient.
? Mathematical transactions: Computerization is both faster and more accurate in calculating insurance charges, patient charges, accounts receivable, and lab charges.
? Monitoring the practice: Data about a practice that can be used to spot trends and plan for new approaches in management can be extracted, synthesized, and summarized.
? Decentralization: Computerization allows the workload such as billing, appointments, cancellations, and record keeping to be redistributed properly throughout the office.
Implementing a computerized management system frees up time for staff to attend to other goals, such as improved patient communications, marketing strategies, and other management initiatives. However, selecting a system carefully is critical for long-term success with this technology.