Managing a successful orthodontic practice with the right technology

By Jamie Frew on Dec 11, 2021.

The continuous development of different forms of technology has become ingrained within all spheres of modern life, including the healthcare industry. As I’m sure you would have seen, an increasingly large number of healthcare practices have begun to implement this technology. Interestingly, however, the massive growth in healthcare technology hasn’t impacted orthodontists as significantly as it has other providers - one study found that there was only a 52% rate of EDR (electronic dental record) adoption in 2017. When faced with the decision of whether or not you should implement new technology, you may ask yourself exactly how you can benefit from this transition, what the software entails, or whether now is a good time to make the move. We understand that the options you are presented with can feel daunting, which is why we created an overview of the different technologies you can choose from, and how these specifically benefit you.

Technology ultimately provides different ways of managing the operations of your orthodontic practice. The software has been developed in collaboration with healthcare providers, so you can feel confident that their processes will specifically apply to your work. One of the most comprehensive technological systems in use currently is orthodontic practice management software. Essentially, this software streamlines various administrative tasks, saving you both money and time. Integrated software will combine all the systems you already have in use, allowing practitioners to manage finances, appointments, patient communication, and clinical notes from a single platform. Regardless of whether you work as an individual or a member of a larger team, practice management software will allow you to elevate the management of your business and improve clinical outcomes.

Scope of practice for dental technology

Practicing dental technology involves the delivery of a specific set of services that need to be included within the scope of your professional qualifications. The scope of dental technology includes services related to designing, creating, and repairing oral-specific devices. Importantly, given that areas of research, teaching and management directly influence and are influenced by clinical services, these are also considered to be within the scope of practice for the dental technology.

Depending on the size of your orthodontic practice and the services you offer, the management software that you choose to implement should contain certain features. The services that come underneath the scope of your dental practice should be reflected in the systems that you use. Not only will new software help you provide quality services to patients, but it will also allow you to stay afloat in the competitive healthcare industry. Regardless of whether you work as an individual or as part of a team, implementing software that caters to the services within your professional scope will allow you to improve efficiency, productivity, and perhaps most importantly, clinical outcomes.

Practice management software - The right choice for your orthodontic business

The most effective and sophisticated form of technology currently available undoubtedly practices management software. Essentially, these systems provide a centralized platform that stores all of your data, allowing you to access any important information or records from a single place. Orthodontic practice management software is integrated with appointment scheduling systems, clinical note storage, and medical billing features, allowing you to streamline all of your administrative tasks and save significant amounts of time and resources. These systems use cloud-based technology, which makes the installation process affordable and easy. Additionally, cloud computing means that all updates and maintenance are completed externally, allowing you to consistently use the latest technology hassle-free. What’s not to love?

Features & advantages of using an orthodontic practice management software

One of the biggest barriers that prevent orthodontists from implementing new forms of technology is the belief that the way they currently manage their practice is perfectly suitable. And whilst this may not be wrong, the vast advantages that are associated with practice management software will contribute to a practice that operates far better than suitably! Some of the features included within orthodontic software for private practices and associated benefits are:

Organization: By integrating with various administrative features, practice management software will elevate the organization of your practice. As a practicing orthodontist, it can feel frustrating when you have to spend a significant amount of your time chasing down unpaid invoices and following up on no-shows, rather than seeing and treating patients. With appointment scheduling software and medical billing features, practice management systems take care of all of these tasks for you, allowing you to redirect your time and energy into seeing more patients.

Efficiency: Practice management software allows all of your team members to sync their individual calendars in order to generate a centralized workflow. From a single platform, all of your staff can view the current workload, allowing them to organize and manage their time more efficiently.

Documentation: As an increased number of orthodontists have begun to use electronic documentation methods, we are seeing a decline in clinical note errors. Although mistakes are inevitable, human errors are much more common than computer errors! The right practice management software will include note templates and accessible storage features, allowing you to not only be consistent in your documentation but save a lot of time! Additionally, storing your records online means that they are accessible to authorized users 24/7, an extremely helpful feature for busy dentists.

Patient satisfaction: Maintaining and improving patient satisfaction should always be a high priority for orthodontists, particularly as the healthcare industry is starting to shift towards consumer-based care. Practice management software increases patient flexibility, allowing them to book their own appointments, make payments online, and view their medical records at any time. Not only does this facilitate greater self-management, but it also increases the overall transparency of healthcare, which are two factors that commonly contribute to patient satisfaction.

Spend more time with patients: Ultimately, the reason why you work as an orthodontist is that you want to treat patients. Unfortunately, the requirements of your line of work often contribute to a significant amount of time spent completing other tasks. With the right practice management software, you can streamline these necessary tasks and instead redirect your time and energy into doing what you do best: seeing patients!

Final thoughts

As you can see, the advantages that are associated with implementing orthodontic practice management software will benefit both you and your patients. One of the trickiest aspects of making this transition involves deciding what system will best suit your business needs. Whilst it is important to do your own research, we greatly recommend checking out Carepatron. An all-inclusive affordable system, Carepatron is integrated with appointment scheduling, medical billing, clinical documentation, and an EHR system that will allow you to boost productivity and improve both patient and physician satisfaction!