The future of computers in clinical dentistry

It is essential that computer manufacturers and system developers increase their cooperative efforts to establish and maintain standards. Individual, stand-alone systems will not survive, and error-prone integration will prevent progress. File formats--whether graphics or text based--must be completely and seamlessly integrated between users. This has not occurred in other aspects of computer application. Can we expect it to in dentistry? We must. The profession will only reap the true benefits of computerized practice if CDA, ADA, the insurance carriers, manufacturers and developers are willing to sit together and agree to cooperative efforts. Such cooperation is imperative. While initially altruistic, it will be commercially essential in the long run. For many applications, the ability of a computer-based system to quantify information adds a new level to diagnosis. Coupled with this diagnosis support knowledge bases will provide dentists with added sophistication and expanded competence in diagnosis and treatment. It is reasonable to assume that the patient's relevant medical data--medications, status of principal organ systems, etc.--may also be made available electronically. Practice performance data, the legality of entries, and the compilation of and access to national data bases must all respect the patients' and dentists' rights and privacy, while serving society's health care needs. There are some very large issues ahead. Developing the hardware is the easy part.The software is more complex and, as it is specifically designed for dentists, more expensive. The profession is too small to share these costs over the available customer base--limiting the number of vendors that can survive.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)