Technology rocks! Why? Technology produces increased efficiency and better patient communications. Each and every time you use a computer workstation, your tasks should be easier and faster to perform. But it’s important to remember that each piece of dental technology attached to the computer has its own ROI (return on investment). And this dental equipment also increases IQ and awareness by educating and communicating with your patients. If you find this isn’t the case, then something has gone terribly wrong.
The introduction of chair-side scheduling, electronic charts & digital imaging devices (digital x-ray/pano, intraoral cameras), has turned a single computer system into a sophisticated efficiency machine. The dental profession’s implementation of computers is unique and like no other industry – particularly in the treatment room. But if all of this super technology isn’t integrated correctly, it can lessen efficiency.
For example, it is common knowledge that intraoral cameras offer an incredible ROI. A statistical look at intraoral cameras yields astounding results: 85% of users paid their cameras off in one single year, with the remaining 15% completing payment within two. Not surprisingly, this was the $35,000 Fuji Dentacam back in the late 1980′s. This success rate was directly related to ease of use, proper training, and the camera’s uncanny ability to confirm treatment.
Here are some keys to maximizing your technology ROI:
1. Install staff procedures for using the equipment most effectively. By using auxiliary staff to prep for an exam, the dentist can execute the exam without ever picking up the camera. This saves a tremendous amount of time. Typically, hygiene operatories are camera heavy. Knowing the optimal number of cameras required and their locations can save thousands of dollars and still produce the same results. This advice also applies to digital x-ray sensors.
2. Pick products that are easy to use. An intraoral camera that is difficult to use will create problems. First, staff will simply not use it. Depth of focus in the optical system directly relates to its ease of use. Deficient optics will result in the need for constant refocusing, and what should be an efficient, single-handed task will turn into an inept two handed operation (one to hold and one to focus). Also, a lousy camera increases dentist-staff frustration & adversely affects ROI.
3. Patient viewing monitor positioning affects ROI. Dental chair manufacturer’s concept systems (at least the ones that have monitors hanging from them) are practical, but often are not functional, because they don’t enhance the patient experience and communications. Try this idea the next time you’re poring through dental trade exhibits: lie yourself in a chair fully supine and ask yourself if you can comfortably see the flat panel integrated into it. I’m willing to wager that your vision is limited to the top of the display and up. Explanation: When fully supine, your line of sight is comfortably pointed at an approximate 45 degree angle with respect to your body. The “bullseye” points up towards the ceiling, doesn’t it? Dr. Michael Unthank at the Chicago Midwinter Meeting demonstrated this phenomenon with the patient viewing display positioned low on a radius arm.
At best, I was able to see the top of the chair mounted flat panel and above. Look closely at my eyes and the direction that they are pointed…up aren’t they? If seeing the display was the goal, then this design completely missed its objective. End result: If your patients cannot comfortably see the display at the right time, then its ROI (not to mention camera, digital x-ray) decreases accordingly.
Most offices today include two flat panel displays in each treatment room. By separating the operatory into private and public viewing zones, private information such as the schedule & personal information is kept private. Public information includes intraoral camera, digital radiograph, digital SLR images and CATV. Not only does the patient monitor drive design, but also allows great educational value, communications, and relaxation/entertainment for the patient. The ability to show a fractured cusp or calculus build up provides invaluable information during an exam and improves acceptance of the treatment. Proper positioning of the patient monitor allows this to happen efficiently. The rule of thumb should be to ensure that the patient can view the display comfortably while fully upright or reclined in the dental chair. If successful, any position between these points will work.
4. Treatment room computers must be set up for maximum efficiency. As challenging as computers and networks can be, their business goals are basic: to make money and to save money. An understanding of how treatment rooms function is critical to a successful design. The best way to address functional requirements is to reduce them down to their simplest form. First, make a list of requirements for each of the two displays in the operatory. Start with the clinical display behind the chair and make a list. Do the same with the patient viewing monitor. The list should go something like this depending on your specialty and how you practice:
Clinical monitor: Practice management software, image management software, charting software, digital x-ray and intraoral/extraoral camera images, schedule, paging software. Patient viewing monitor: Digital x-ray, intraoral/extraoral camera images, patient education programming, cable TV/CD/DVD movies with audio.
Examine these lists and you will find three requirements that apply to both displays: digital x-ray images, intraoral camera live and stored images & extraoral camera images (digital SLR). These images require competent switching between the displays. Ultramon ($35) is an amazing piece of software that accommodates such transfers with ease and transparency. Programming function keys can turn a difficult task into an effortless keystroke. Example: After a digital x-ray image is stored, it is usually viewed on the clinical display (private) behind the chair. To share this image with the patient, you can use the designated function key to reposition it on the patient viewing display. When appropriate, you can move the image back to the clinical display by simply depressing that same function key. It doesn’t get any easier than that! Using Windows display properties or physically dragging the window between displays is simplified to one keystroke per direction. This straight-forward approach will save you time and frustration while adding to your ROI.
Computers in dental offices offer potential ROI…no question! ROI will increase substantially once imaging devices are attached to them…no question!! But maximizing that ROI depends on your ability to realize the big picture and not product-by-product advantages. The infrastructure of your computer network system is the backbone of your technology system. Imaging devices & software either ride on or attach to it. Smart dental equipment positioning will enhance the patient experience, improve diagnosis, and increase IQ. Integrated dental technology systems optimized and working as they should, will boost your ROI…much further than the sum of your individual products.
From Four Quadrants Advisors
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