The Front Office

Changing to an electronic system

Background

Major industries have switched to electronic record keeping, but health care is still largely reliant on a paper-based paradigm. In addition to problems in inefficiency and cost, the paper system may contribute to high health care costs and relatively poor outcomes. Implementing the electronic health record (EHR) by 2014 was set as a national goal by President Bush, but little to nothing happened until the Stimulus Act was used by President Obama to kick-start the transition. For instance, the

Barriers to Switching to EHRs in Dentistry

For several reasons dentistry has been slow in implementing EHRs. Dental services are not eligible for incentives under the Medicare program. As a result, dentists do not receive substantial financial help in transitioning to EHRs.

Dentistry is also largely delivered in a solo, small practice setting. Many physicians switched to EHRs because they were affiliated with a hospital or larger organization, which is not the case for most dental practices. Without adequate financial and technical

Motivations for Switching to EHRs

Despite the drawbacks a dentist may see in transitioning to EHRs, a fully functional EHR system can have positive aspects. Among these are improved practice efficiency, greater patient communication and satisfaction levels, facilitation of practice expansion, and preparation for the inclusion of dentists in multidisciplinary care teams.

Support

Dental practices often must look for outside help to implement an EHR system effectively. The federally designated RECs are modeled after agricultural extension centers and funded through the Stimulus Act to help providers move to EHRs. The service is free. All RECs have extensive networks of trusted service providers and consultants who help dental practices select appropriate products and implement them successfully. They also offer resources to help with workflow redesign and privacy and