The paperless practice

Guy Meyers asks if it is a dream or possible reality.

Half a century after the term ‘paperless office’ was first coined, it seems that banks, insurance companies and even some retail stores are being highly successful in reducing and even eliminating their paper footprint. In light of this it seems reasonable to ask why the dental industry is falling so far behind and what being a paperless practice actual means. In reality, the possibility that a business can operate without the need for any paper whatsoever seems untenable, but in truth, the term owes less to a literal definition and more to an ethos and desire on the part of the dentist and staff, to embrace the efficiencies now made possible by full computer integration into many different aspects of practice life.

Many tasks performed in a dental practice are traditionally very time-consuming, particularly for the front desk team. Managing recalls, appointment bookings and short notice cancellations are all vital to the smooth running of a practice and anything that can be done to minimise the time required to complete these tasks adds to the productivity of the business. The elimination of paper records, the introduction of digital X-rays, the automation of communications and the provision of online booking are just some of the elements of practice life that can be streamlined by the introduction of new technology.