Dr. Lorne Lavine Dental Technology Consultants Printer Friendly Version

Why the Web Makes Better Sense

The Web is your best friend. Whenever you need a bit of information, from a bank account balance to tickets to your favorite concert, the Web is always there for you. The added convenience, flexibility and unbound potential of the Web is why you may be utilizing it on a daily basis. In effect, the Web allows you to accomplish tasks in an instance, whereas before mundane tasks were time-consuming and the means to accomplish them were inefficient.

If the Web isn’t your best friend now, it will be shortly. In every industry and every market, Web-based technologies are replacing traditional client-server applications. The dental profession is a little tardy in adopting the Web, but we can see hopeful signs here and there that indicate a revolution is in the works, the biggest of which is Web-based dental software to help you manage your practice.

By far, the biggest benefit of Web-based dental software is that there is no update procedure. Whenever you use the software you’re always using the latest version. As an IT professional and a dentist, I know that one single benefit will immediately impact every office that spends any degree of time and money keeping their software up to date.

The second best advantage of the Web is a huge gain in data security, which may sound strange until you review what may currently be happening in your practice. In many instances, your data is probably stored on a server located under a desk or in a storage closet, highly susceptible to hard knocks, theft, flood, fire and the like. In comparison, with Web-based dental software your data is stored in a secure facility in multiple locations on multiple servers. Disaster, theft and untrained care are not an issue. Ever.

The third advantage is closely related to the second. The often overlooked, mismanaged and mundane chore of backing up your data is no longer a concern. I could write a book if I documented every horror story I’ve personally witnessed when a practice learned their backup wouldn’t restore, or the backup failed to contain the right files. What’s really advantageous with Web-based dental software is that your data rests in a continuous backup loop. That means your data is backed up with every change to your data.

The next advantage is about money. You should realize a savings in IT services, hardware upgrades and down time. Web-based dental software doesn’t require beefy workstations, or servers for that matter. And the one thing that comes with servers and workstations is technical assistance from an IT professional. Even if you have the skills to do setup and maintain a network on your own, you should factor in the value of your own time. If your computers can access the Internet and are loaded with a Web browser then you can use Web-based dental software, generally speaking.

If you’re in the market for new software, the next advantage reigns supreme for you. With Web-based dental software you’ll pay a small monthly subscription fee rather than a chunk of change in up-front licensing fees followed by monthly or annual maintenance fees. Of course, you may need to convert your existing data, you must purchase training for you and your staff, and there may be an implementation fee of some sort. As an example, Curve Dental charges around $3,000 for data conversion, training and implementation. The monthly subscription fee is $297 for up to two doctors, which includes everything you need to manage your practice, including charting, in addition to technical assistance and upgrades.

Your practice will realize a better HIPAA compliancy benefit with Web-based dental software. In the HIPAA world, a server becomes a big liability, subject to 19 physical and technical requirements, such as Server Access Policies and Controls, Disposal and Re-use of Media (backup tapes, etc.), and requirements for "emergency availability." The traditional legacy systems can only address 4 of the 19 points, whereas Web-based dental software handles all 19.

The last advantage is about implementation and setup. Once you send your data for conversion you don’t have to worry about it again. Implementation and setup encompasses a username and password. Once you enter these and click “enter” your implementation and setup is done. I don’t think you can make it any easier.

I am aware of just a few Web-based practice management applications available today. Each has their own particular competitive advantages, but I’m putting my bet on Curve Dental for two reasons. First, their software has a wonderful interface, which means it’s amazingly simple to learn and more efficient to use. Secondly, the team behind Curve Dental is a seasoned group of true software professionals, from a technological capability standpoint to an experienced and proven management team with incredible vision, who know how to deliver customer service.

Any doctor looking to switch to new dental software would do well to first look into the Web, but not just for the reasons mentioned above. An investment in traditional client-server software today is probably not the best place to put your money. Client-server applications are rapidly being replaced by Web-based software. Your investment will reap a bigger return when placed in a boat moving with the flow of technology, rather than in a boat with a very heavy server anchor.

Lorne Lavine, DMD is the Founder and President of Dental Technology Consultants. Dr. Lavine holds two prestigious certifications, the A+ Certified Technician designation and the Network+ Certified Professional. These designations demonstrate proficiency in computer repair, operating systems, network design and installation. Dental Technology Consultants provides dentists a full range of services relating to the implementation of technology.

Interested in having Dr. Lavine speak to your dental society or study club? Click here. Dr. Lavine can be reached at drlavine@thedentistsnetwork.net.

Hear Dr. Lavine’s FREE podcasts at The Dentist’s Network - HERE

Forward this article to a friend.