Our group – now with 12 sites – began the digital journey over 25 years ago and I can confidently say we were one of the first to adopt the move from paper to digital records.
It all began with digital transmission of patient claims when a lot of practices were still using the postal service. Following on from that, we began computerising all our records. Back then, the technology was cutting edge and provided a fantastic and safe interface to enhance our record keeping while allowing us to provide higher levels and quality of patient care. The challenge was, without doubt, mobilising the process over multiple practices and ensuring that the training was of a high standard for our staff. It was around this time that we were introduced to digital processing and explored options for phosphor plate imaging. However, the group ended up purchasing digital sensors from Clark Dental as they were looking to move towards a computerised filing system. This digital interface gave us the confidence to move further in this direction and incorporate digital within other areas of our practices too.
The motivation to go digital was initially to provide higher quality and safer care, as well as improving efficiency in time taken during the clinical treatment episode. One of the added values in the digital journey was very much the improvement in patient experience that this provided. Using the screens and software, as well as the digital images, allowed us to deliver faster, more accurate and more comfortable treatments. Just as importantly, this also improved the patient education aspects, as well as the consenting process that accompanies all of our clinical treatment. Staff really embraced the switch to technology-based working – they loved it, as it made their working life more efficient.
Over time, the advancements in software created even greater motivation to expand our digital capabilities. We have been able to enhance our record keeping with digital templates and the fantastic patient interface has improved the quality of patient information collected before, during and after treatment delivered. The technology has also enabled our clinical information to be stored and presented in a more secure and stable format; all data associated with our patients and their care that was once backed-up on tape is now on the cloud. This has become essential given the increased amount of data we have to gather for patients today and the importance of data security.
The use of technology is known to reduce long-term costs and this has predominantly come from greater efficiencies during the treatment process for us. However, there have been other benefits associated with digital imaging that have an indirect effect on finances.
First and foremost, the consistency of high-quality, high-resolution and immediate images reduces the risk of needing retakes, meaning image capture rarely has to be repeated. The quality and speed of diagnosis is also improved, especially when it comes to endodontics, requiring less time from the clinician to conduct a full clinical assessment and deliver a comprehensive treatment plan, without any compromises. This all helps to ensure a superior patient experience, encouraging their satisfaction with treatment and loyalty for the future. In the long-term, there would certainly be benefits in reducing the material costs for radiographic processing as well.
Another way of optimising the economics of one’s practice with regards to digital, is to ensure that all staff are trained to use the equipment. Practice owners will see considerable return on investment when it comes to staff training. Not only this, but practices with multiple chairs can share digital sensors between different surgeries when a careful system is implemented.
Optimising economics is important for every dental business, but particularly for busy NHS practices. The ability to streamline daily workflows and see more patients while consistently delivering high-quality care is a massive benefit of going digital today.
Of course, so much change does not happen without some challenges. As new equipment is introduced to the practice, it is normal to experience technical glitches. Brand new software, platforms and hardware will periodically need to run upgrades and sometimes, in the beginning, new software can have bugs that need fixing which are usually unforeseen problems. These challenges are not difficult to overcome but they can interrupt a workflow. Once they’re fixed. It is usually smooth sailing from then on out.
Clark Dental really supports the practices they supply their superb products to. Complementing the digital solutions we have purchased, they have provided fully comprehensive and informative training for all our staff. The after sales service is another very important aspect when working with a supplier for so long. James Elliot has always been there to make sure that any technical issues or repairs have been carried out in a timely and cost-effective manner. We have only ever experienced minimal business interruption because of the speedy service provided by Clark Dental. Their entire staff body are fully trained and very informative. They are easily available at the end of the phone and quick to deploy an engineer to help us when needed.
If you’re thinking about making the move to digital technology in your practice, the best advice to start the process is to just do it! Waiting will only mean that you’ll fall further behind the curve. Digital will become ever-more essential for practices that want to remain ahead of the game in the years to come.
For more information call Clark Dental on 01268 733 146, email info@clarkdental.co.uk or visit www.clarkdental.co.uk
The Burgass Hyder Dental Group, is led by Group Principal and Clinical Director Azfar Hyder. Az qualified with BDS at the Royal London Dental Hospital in December 1992. He was further awarded an MFGDP from the Royal College of Surgeons in 1996.
His dental clinical interests are varied and include children’s dentistry - he has held a role as a part time Dental Officer for the Community Dental Service treating and screening children for five years. During this time, he obtained an Intermediate Diploma in Conscious Sedation. He has sat on two Oral Health Improvement strategy groups between 2009 and 2011 and also been part of pilots to improve oral health in our children.
Az was appointed as an Educational Supervisor for the Northern Deanery in 1995.He then enjoyed nine years’ experience mentoring and developing skills of newly qualified postgraduate dentists from Newcastle Dental School.
Az is currently sitting as LDC chair for County Durham and Darlington representing 85 local primary care practices in County Durham and Darlington.
