Using technology can be a boon to your dental practice, but with so many different platforms and services, it can be difficult to separate the must-haves from the don’t-needs.
The good news is, we’ve done most of the guesswork for you. In this article, we’ll share some of the best technologies and software that you can invest in for your practice.
Patient scheduling software
More patients than ever expect to be able to book appointments online. A survey of over 200 American consumers found that 60% of people prefer to schedule appointments online rather than via phone, email, or in person.
Implementing online scheduling software is beneficial for your patients and your profits. Patients appreciate having more convenient options to book, and thanks to built-in appointment reminders, your business will see fewer no-shows and more revenue.
Employee time tracking and payroll software
Tracking your employees’ hours and paying them accordingly doesn’t need to be complicated. Time tracking and payroll software exists so that you can keep more accurate, detailed records of who’s worked and when.
Payroll software can help ensure that your hardworking team gets paid correctly and on time. Without it, you run the risk of making someone wait for their check, which can damage your reputation as an employer. Your team invests their time into your practice, so you should invest in them as well.
Medical billing software
Liaising between patients and insurance companies can be complex and time consuming. Medical billing software aims to ease some of that complexity by automating a large part of the process, so that your staff can spend more time on other tasks.
For example, medical billing software enables you to verify a patient’s insurance coverage completely virtually, so that you don’t need to spend time on the phone with providers. It will also help your staff enter claims more accurately with easy-to-use templates and autofill features.
Many medical billing software programs also come with patient scheduling features, so you can manage your patients’ visits from beginning to end.
Digital record keeping software
Paper charts have a certain charm to them, but the reality is, they’re not as accessible or secure as their digital counterparts. Electronic medical record (EMR) software allows you to share and access your patients’ charts and notes, and keep patient data on a secure server as opposed to a physical file cabinet.
Instead of handling physical documents, record software gives you the ability to more easily create, edit, and store records. Most EMR platforms are cloud-based, which means that your team can access records from any of your office computers or tablets.
Communication software
Patients can reach you by email or phone, but these two lines of communication aren’t scalable. If you have a busy, large, multi-location or growing practice, you may benefit instead from either a business phone service or a smaller phone system for business.
A business phone service lets you more effectively manage inbound and outbound communications via phone, email, online chat, social media, or text. When a patient reaches out to you, a cloud contact center will route them to the appropriate department or employee. Like EMR platforms, cloud contact centers store data on remote secure servers, which means you don’t need to buy and store any expensive hardware in office.
A smaller phone system for business can give your practice a more professional vibe and comes with more useful features than a regular phone plan. Certain business phone providers will give you a business phone number equipped with texting, call queuing and routing, an automated voice attendant, and the ability to listen to voicemails from your email inbox.
Payment processing
If you plan to take any type of payment besides cash, you’ll need to invest in payment processing. Payment processing platforms and credit card readers allow you to take credit, debit, and contactless payments safely and securely.
Getting a payment processor is becoming increasingly necessary—a 2020 study done by the Federal Reserve found that 19% of Americans opted to pay for goods and services with cash, whereas 55% opted to pay with either credit or debit cards.
Otherwise, you run the risk of losing business due to lack of payment options and proper security.
HIPAA compliance software
As a dental practice, you’re required to regularly audit your business for HIPAA compliance. HIPAA compliance software makes this process faster and more seamless.
You can track each audit through HIPAA compliance software, which will then help you identify any gaps or risks. If any potential risks are uncovered, HIPAA software will then guide you to reduce vulnerabilities and keep your practice secure.
Keep in mind that some HIPAA compliance software only covers risk assessments. More comprehensive options come with HIPAA training modules for your employees as well as business associate management features.
Power your dental practice with stronger tools
Patients expect more flexible and accessible options when it comes to scheduling appointments, paying, and communicating with your office. By investing in better technologies for your practice, you’ll exceed their expectations and generate more business.