How Cloud-Based Software Improves Dental Practice Efficiency

It could qualify as one of those not-if-but-when scenarios. In this instance, we’re talking about being more productive and how cloud-based software improves dental practice efficiency.

There’s no shame in admitting that your dental practice isn’t as efficient as it could be. Your team members are stepping up their game daily, but they’re faced with care scenarios that can cause them stress and frustration.

The problem and solution could be traceable to the same source — your dental practice management platform. Could cloud-based software deliver the solutions you’re looking for?

The impact of cloud-based software on your dental practice’s efficiency

Efficiency has a ripple effect in your dental practice. It starts with how you manage your systems and ultimately flows into your bottom line.

It’s important to evaluate your system’s routine tasks. Each process you follow reveals the capacity of your dental practice management software (PMS).

For example, cloud-based software is fully equipped to handle the basic tasks where efficiency is essential.

• Patient check-in
• Scheduling
• Patient record management
• Patient communications
• Billing procedures
• Team training
• Data backups
• Software upgrades
• IT support
• Patient data security

Each of these task areas can stress an ill-equipped or outdated software platform. And when your system is stressed, your team is likely stressed as well.

Let’s unpack each of the above and explore the impact of cloud-based software on their results.

How cloud-based software improves dental practice efficiency

Hassle-free dental patient check-in

The check-in process often requires an unproductive amount of time. And with ringing phones, case presentations and patient checkouts, your team’s stress increases (while efficiency declines).

Cloud-based dental PMS streamlines the patient check-in process.

• One-click patient information pop-up
• Single-screen access to full patient information when you need it

These features help your front office team stay focused on welcoming each patient and answering any questions about their appointment.

Clean, uncluttered dental patient scheduling

A random or cluttered schedule can have a direct impact on your production and profitability. The more “well-oiled” your scheduling process the better for your care and production values.

Team coordination is a key benefit of cloud-based PMS. All departments have access to the schedule, patient records and practice data.

Cloud-based software keeps your schedule accessible anytime, anywhere.

• After-hours viewing and coordination
• Schedule changes and next day schedule reviews
• Secure, off-site connection to your schedule and practice data

Easy to find and review patient records

Patient records can create a sense of data overload. And finding a specific portion of a patient’s record can also be time intensive.

Cloud-based software streamlines your records search. Patient profiles, notes, referrals and payment information can be presented in a one-page format.

• Update records
• Add new documents to patient files
• Upload and tag images and documents for easier searching
• Create and add re-care plans to treatment records
• Monitor and prioritize medical alerts
• Improve treatment presentations using drag-and-drop access

And cloud-based software allows you to do this securely on compatible devices from any location with internet connectivity.

Relevant, automated patient communication

Traditional patient communication such as mailings and postcards can slow your patient interactions and delay production. A high percentage of patients are accustomed to faster, more relevant digital communication.

A cloud-based system enhances patient communication. Text and email messages can be personalized and automated.

• Send appointment reminders in real time
• Customize and segment email communication to certain patients
• Improve appointment confirmations and reduce no-shows
• Maximize team productivity with less phone time and mailing preparation

Seamless billing procedures

Tracking payments and billing records is time-consuming. Related correspondence and communication adds to your team’s workflows.

Cloud-based software expands your practice’s billing management capabilities.

• Third-party billing or accounting services can be given access to your records via the cloud.
• Billing efficiency is increased with an online anytime, anywhere connection for reviews and approvals.

Intuitive team training

Operations, systems and technology have an impact on your team’s learning curve. Keeping everyone on track, in the know and productive involves shortening that curve.

A cloud-based software platform helps accomplish that. It’s because the interface is more intuitive.

Team members are likely familiar with an online, digital environment. They can more easily adapt to the dental applications because of their digital intuition.

• Train and learn remotely when necessary
• Improve workflows and create new solutions for common problems and inefficiencies

Worry-free data backups

Security breaches and system failures happen. A natural or technical disaster could destroy your valuable patient data.

Manual backups provide some level of security. But they’re time-consuming and can lack effectiveness on occasion.

A cloud-based PMS provides efficient and effective data backups.

• Automatic and worry-free data protection
• Support, monitoring and validation by IT professionals
• Comprehensive and up-to-date data storage
• Immediate data recovery following any system issues

Automatic updates

No doubt, traditional PMS requires a fair amount of update time. A cloud-based software system follows a routine and relevant update schedule.

• No crash worries
• Feedback driven updates
• No licensing or resource availability issues

IT support and troubleshooting

Patients are your concern. Dealing with IT and practice management platform issues shouldn’t occupy your time and energy.

Perhaps you have an IT contact on call. But with cloud-based software, you have ongoing, on-call access minus the delays or system downtime.

• Trust a team of on-board software experts
• Ongoing software improvements
• Upgrades and system maintenance working in the background

Locked-down patient information

The safety of your patient data is a top priority. It’s also essential that you meet related compliance issues.

A secure cloud-based platform protects your data as it resides on cloud-based servers and when it’s accessed remotely.

• Password-protected access
• Activity logs for accountability
• Security audits to monitor user authorization
• Timed logins and inactivity logouts

These benefits cover the gamut of most software-related challenges or circumstances. A cloud-based software platform like Dentrix Ascend provides these and more.

Check out these helpful related resources:

3 Facts That Demystify Cloud-Based Dental Software

Work Worry-Free With Cloud-Based Dental Software

Go with a proven cloud-based software provider when you’re ready to make the switch or upgrade

Dentrix Ascend from Henry Schein One centralizes data, supports the structure of your practice and/or DSO, and provides scalability as your practice or DSO grows.

Learn what makes Dentrix Ascend the right solution for your dental practice or DSO.

Request a demo today.