Over time, management applications need to process more and more administrative, billing, and other organizational tasks. Such systems require impressive computing capabilities, and that’s why web-based apps are becoming more popular – cloud architecture allows the use of a high-performance computing approach, giving access to servers, special development/analytical tools, and many other software and hardware elements via high-speed internet connection on a pay-to-use basis.
Web applications usually have a helpful and responsive UI, compatible with different devices, and provide a seamless experience, granting accessibility for any user. Additionally, such systems offer effective data protection and privacy security. These factors are crucial for your facility's safety, regardless of which type of system you use:
- EMR(electronic medical records)
- CAD (computer-aided design)
- PAC (picture archiving and communication)
Practical Advantages
Each of these systems provides essential improvements for dental facilities. Thus, a survey conducted by a group of scientists in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia showed that most cases (~80%) of EMR implementation increased doctors' attention to clinical details and prolonged the time spent with patients during consultation.
In turn, the CAD system revolutionizes veneers, dentures, and implant modeling, making the process much more precise and faster. Its combination with CAD(computer-aided manufacturing) systems can produce this stuff from almost every available practical dentistry material. Also, PAC systems enhance physicians' practice, significantly improving doctors’ diagnosis accuracy, as a group of Iranian scientists revealed in a recent paper.
The Danger of Illegal Programs
However, you should consider that such digital tools are vulnerable to pirated and cracked software elements that you may try to implement in your facility instead of using expensive licensed, one-time purchased analogs.
Penny-wise, pound foolish. You bring a huge risk to your personal and corporate cybersecurity once you decide to use low-cost or free pirated programs or tools from an unknown source, which may eventually lead to losing access to all your data. The most common representative of such malware is Ransomware, which blocks data storage or even devices until you make a payment for access restoration.
Reasonable Expenses
Still, one-time-purchased software may be too costly for small facilities, and here, subscription-based alternatives may help with a few more unique advantages. In that case, you pay a relatively small amount of money every month (or another period) and receive continuous customer support that will teach you how to use software and help you with any issues and questions you may face during your work.
Additionally, such providers have a well-developed community where you can share your experience with colleagues from other facilities and learn more about how to use the system more effectively.
In my opinion, even if you already use some one-time-payment solution and are looking for updates, you should try the subscription-based applications. It’s probably the best software variant for modern practice, and it often contains some innovative features such as AI algorithms for smart reminders, billing processes, analytics, 3D modeling, and many other tasks, depending on your needs and the tool you choose.
Additionally, web-based software eliminates the need for massive investment in powerful computer hardware, transferring all processing tasks to the server.
