Certain technologies have cut down appointment visits or the transfer of physical records and documents thus reducing the exposure to possible pathogens on papers, xrays, impressions, or models. Technologies can also help our team better communicate to provide a more efficient flow of information digitally rather than on paper or people.
Digital x-rays have allowed us quick and easy transmission to dental specialists.
Digital scanning has cut down the need to take dental impressions we package and send to dental labs.
CADCAM dentistry often allows us to shape a tooth a cement on a permanent crown on the same day to cut down on a second visit to the dental office.
We are just learning and incorporating 3D printing in our office. Other dentists use digital scanning and 3D printing to make models, guides, nightguards, even dentures.
This new digital workflow allows all patient records and prosthetic designing to be done digitally, rather than sending records that have been in the patient's mouth to the dental lab and back (impressions and bite registrations are disinfected prior to sending to the dental labs).
We have used a program called Yapi to cut down on paper forms and records to not only reduce clutter but a paper nidus for critters that can carry infectious diseases (we don't allow any cardboard storage in the office, all supplies are transferred to clear plastic containers). Yapi also serves as our intraoffice communication system.
We are currently working on Alexa skills to allow more voice control to reduce touching of surfaces.
Technology changes so fast even in dentistry that it is scary! The 3D face scanning app to make our custom 3D printed mask frames was right out of Mission Impossible!