Introduction
COVID-19 has affected day to day life and has slowed down the global economy. This pandemic has affected thousands of people, who are either sick or are not surviving the wrath of the disease. Countries have banned gatherings to spread and break the exponential curve. Many countries have locked their population and enforced strict quarantine to control the spread of the havoc of this highly communicable disease.

COVID-19 has rapidly affected our day to day life (health, social, and economy), businesses, and has disrupted the world trade. This virus created significant knock-on effects on the daily life of citizens and we can say that the world has maybe changed forever.

Cases in the United States alone have crossed the 30 million mark. Therefore, it’s important to take as many precautions as we can.



Future of Dental Practices amid COVID-19

As dental practices are reopening, safety and hygiene have become very important for everyone.

American Dental Association (ADA) itself has recommended certain guidelines for dental practices keeping in mind the spread of COVID-19. One of which includes the pre-screening of the patients in advance before their visit. Dentists need to adapt to the sample transcript to fit their methods of communication — phone, text reminders, and secure website for collecting the patient’s information before their office visit.

It’s of utmost importance for dental practices to make sure that the patients fill the pre-screening form for their safety as well as the safety of the office staff. We can say, that this will be the norm for a few years.

Challenges faced by Dental Practices

The number one challenge faced by dental practices is the inflow of the patients. COVID-19 has certainly forced the people to stay at home and dental practices are finding it difficult to get minimum required appointments daily. So, it’s important to assure the patients that it’s safe for them to book an appointment and come to the office.

On top of that, filling up of the pre-screening form is mandatory for the patients.

But a new form comes with its hassles like storing the filled forms and shredding them later. What if some forms get misplaced?

However, the bigger question that arises is Will Patients Agree to Fill a Paper Form?

Reducing touchpoints for patients and the office staff is critical. At the same time, people are concerned about the environment more than ever. So, physical forms can be a problem in that case too.

What’s the solution?

Dental practices can choose to go paperless.

But how can they do that?

1. Practice Management Software

It’s all about the administrative software running at the practice. To develop a paperless practice, the software should be capable of some very basic functions. Offices that want to eliminate paper will need to consider every paper component and try to find a digital alternative.

2. Image Management Software

Most practice management programs offer an image management module: Eaglesoft has Advanced Imaging, Dentrix has Dexis, and so on. These modules are tightly integrated with the practice management software and will tend to work best with digital systems sold by the respective company.

The practice management software is the glue that will hold together the entire practice and many of the decisions such as digital X-rays and data backup will depend on which practice-management software is used.

But isn’t it expensive? Will there be ROI?

Though there is no conclusive study or articles published to say that it has a positive ROI. Dental practices won’t have to purchase and store paper charts, there will be increased efficiency, greater case acceptance, increased new patient flow, all of these will improve the ROI.

Benefits of Going Paperless

The paperless revolution is on its way! It’s here. Every form of business is moving to digital and dentistry should be no different.

Here’s look at a few of the benefits of going paperless:

1. Eco-friendly

As it was mentioned earlier, concern for the environment is now more than ever. 73% of people will pay more for services if they benefit the environment. The American Dental Association (ADA) itself recommends going paperless.

Practices who go paperless not only help cut down on startling statistics like the fact that one million ink cartridges are thrown away daily, they’re also marketing themselves toward a huge, environmentally conscious patient base.

2. Huge Savings=Result in Positive ROI

Dental Practice can save up to $10,000 per year if they opt to go for paperless.

3. Greater Patient Satisfaction

When it comes to patient intake, paperless forms are more convenient than paper forms. Patients can fill out the e-form while at work, at home, or even while traveling. Even when in the office, electronic forms are completed by tapping on an iPad.

How Practicedilly Can Help?

PracticeDilly is a cloud-based patient engagement platform for dental practices. We offer paperless forms for all dental practices, ranging from the New Patient form to even the COVID-19 Pre-screening form.

A fast, reliable, and easy way to streamline your appointments.

1. You can have PracticeDilly send a link to the form automatically when the patient confirms their appointment.

2. The patients can easily fill out the form and sign it electronically from the comfort of their homes.

3. These forms are readily available for you to view before the appointment and are completely HIPAA compliant.

That’s how PracticeDilly can streamline appointments and help dental practices.

Click here to sign up for a free trial and use our software for free for 30 days.

# Dental Care
# Paperless Practice
# Patient Engagement 
# PracticeDilly