What is the electronic dental chart?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The electronic dental chart is standardized, easy to search, and easy to read. It integrates practice management tasks (administrative applications) with clinical information. It includes all of the patient's conditions and treatments, including images. The record also must include codes for treatment and diagnosis, which will come from the American Dental Association (ADA). In February 2011, the ADA Standards Committee met to further develop standards. As of 2011, there are 80 standards for both IT and products, and more are under development. The electronic chart should include the following: the ability to find patients by name; patient identification numbers; health information, such as allergies or conditions that would affect dental care; treatment planning; procedures performed and planned; treatments completed; medical history; and ADA codes. As additions are made, they must be dated, and an audit trail of who edited each record must be kept. Files must be password protected. The record also includes graphics and text. The chart will be created on a patient's first visit and updated every visit. Not only does it contain clinical information, but transactions can be posted. It also includes the fee schedule and patient's insurance information (including co-payment and deductible). Because much of the chart is made up of images, it is easy for the patient to understand. The patient and dentist can develop treatment plans that take into account medical needs and finances. The chart can be electronically transmitted to specialists.