This is old news. But time flies, and 2014 is only getting closer. The National Health Information Infrastructure, an organization focused on improving US healthcare, wants medical records to be electronic by 2014. Read more about the program here:
100-pg guide
Power Point that explains the vision
ADA’s view in JADA (2004)
Article on measuring progress
For EHRs, digital radiography is a must. “Focus On Radiology” in Dental Economics (February 2008, pg. 64) by Technology Editor Paul Feuerstein provides a good review of the whys and whats. It’s worth a read. For now, start moving toward the goal, researching digital radiograph systems, cost and financing, and training. Dr. Feuerstein recommends keeping a traditional backup system for situations like natural disasters or theft.