Orthodontic software programs are available for activities like human resources management, medical recordkeeping, orthodontic imaging, case presentations, and scheduling. Some companies offer interactive software suites while others focus on specific tasks, like handling orthodontic images. The cost for such software varies, and the license typically comes with permissions to install it on multiple computers to allow front and back office staff to run the program along with doctors, technicians, and nurses.
One area of interest in orthodontic software is patient recordkeeping. Charts can be digitized and maintained in digital format with images, recordings of dictations, test results, and other materials. Software suites can also provide a powerful storage tool for orthodontic imaging that may include reconstructive imaging and animations that can be useful for providing patients with information. The doctor can show a patient, for example, how the look of the face will change after surgery and braces to correct a protruding jaw or address uneven spacing between the teeth.
Such software can also be useful for managing patients. Electronic scheduling can reduce errors and may print out reminder cards and send out automated calls to make sure patients know about their appointments. Clinics can also take advantage of tools like electronic patient check in, where patients check themselves in on arrival at the office and update their records in the computer program if their contact information or other details have changed. The software can also offer medical billing and insurance account management.
Staff management can also be accomplished with orthodontic software. The software can be used for digital timekeeping, where staff members log off and on when they enter and leave work. It can also generate tax documentation, paychecks, and other accounting statements, depending on the level of sophistication. Maintenance of staff records within the program is also possible so staff managers can make notes about employees, record events of note, and so forth.
For orthodontists who publish research and attend conferences, orthodontic software can help practitioners manage cases, prepare presentations, and perform statistical analysis on data from the practice. The orthodontic software can interface with presentation programs to create slides, animations, and other presentation tools. Clinical trial and study data can also be stored electronically for ease of access in a program that may interface with a larger trial database. This database may be accessible to other participating physicians as well as trial sponsors, bioinformatics specialists, and other authorized personnel who need to be able to review the data.