Informatics Involvement in Dentistry
- In the mid 1980's dental practitioners began to use computers primarily to automate the financial aspects of their practice such as record-keeping, insurance processing and billing, patient recalls, patient medical and dental history, treatment tracking and financial reports on productivity and income.
-The software was often adapted from medical practice management systems.
-At this time telecommunications were limited.
-Today computers found in over 90% of Dental Offices and involved in most aspects of dental practice.
-The very rapid growth of new dental applications makes it difficult for the practicing dentist and new graduate to keep up with technology.
-Computers are rapidly becoming just another tool for the practicing dentist, much like the x-ray unit.