In Dental Products Report this month (November 2008), Dr. Larry Emmott reviews his prediction for the dental visit in 2018. The exciting technology includes many automated information transfers that make check-in, exams, referrals, and billing simple and efficient. He predicts that a dental visit will begin with the patient’s personal data assistant (PDA) synching with the practice automatically for sign-in and updates. Then, during the exam, an interviewer will ask questions and have immediate access to the patient’s health records from the national database. This will only take a few moments, and prompt 3D X-rays and a scan of the mouth will gather pertinent clinical information.
Software diagnoses and plans treatment, then provides a very detailed image of the entire oral cavity, including the TMJs, for the doctor and patient to review. Should the patient need a referral, an appointment is made automatically via the Internet, and records are transferred. The dentist and specialist cooperate in an Internet meeting to discuss the case, and the patient’s chart is automatically updated. When the appointment is finished, the dentist verbalizes notes that are recorded in his patients’ records and signed with a thumbprint. The insurance company will complete the claim processing and immediately transfer funds to the dentists’ account.
Dr. Emmott’s column, Emmott on Technology, is featured in DPR monthly. He is also a contributor to DentalBlogs.com and a respected speaker, consultant, and teacher of dental technology. Visit his blog at www.emmottontechnology.com or his website at www.DrLarryEmmott.com.