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New Year, New Dental Practice: Why new dental practices choose XLDent

Posted January 15, 2021 by Beth

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New dental practices are often hit with a range of decisions to make all at once. As a new dental practice owner, finding the right software for your practice right away can make a significant difference in your business’s success down the road. Similarly, there are substantial advantages to implementing a new software suite like XLDent as early on as possible in your practice’s launch to take advantage of our proven workflows and customizable features for newly established dental practices. 

 

Dentists and their staff should not need to be technology experts to run a successful dental practice. Certain software systems are often much better for new practices because of their usability design. More experienced software users might be more proficient with any given software product in your dental practice. Still, the good news is that even staff who are new to using software tools as part of their dental practice workflow improve at similar rates to experts when the software systems themselves are designed with new users in mind. Thus, good usability is a crucial metric to the success of all dental software implementations. Usability is also directly related to your entire practice’s overall user satisfaction with the software product. 

 

At XLDent, we’ve taken a particular interest in the experiences and needs of new dental practices. Starting a new practice is a huge undertaking, and probably one of your professional life’s most significant decisions. The content, integrity, and continuity of your electronic dental records will play a key role in your ability to grow efficiently and profitably, as well as maintain valuable patient relationships and patient engagement mechanisms. XLDent’s All-Inclusive Suite of products and services includes all the tools you will need to make this journey. XLDent is your long-term solution for equipping your dental office with a customizable, scalable, and robust Practice and Clinical Management software system.

 

When you choose XLDent as a new startup dental practice, you will receive our special package for new business owners. In addition to our tried and true methods for getting started with the software, the time with your Getting Started Coach will focus on planning, building, and launching your top priorities – and leave you with a strategic plan to accomplish what’s next. To learn more about implementing a new practice with XLDent, visit our New Startup Practice Guide

 

Posted in: Dental Practice Management Software, Dental Software, Dental Technology, Dental Web-based Solutions, Electronic Dental Records, IT Services, XLDent Company, XLDent Patient Experience, Leave a comment/ No Comments »
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Choosing Software for Your Dental Practice

Posted November 6, 2020 by Beth

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When it comes to selecting the software your dental practice will use for practice management, charting, or otherwise, dentists are often looking for just the right product to increase their practice’s efficiency, productivity, and revenue. This is no small task given the vast array of vendor options and features to select. We propose four key variables that can help you find out if a software is right for your practice: support, innovation, scalability, and integration. 

 

Support

Some software vendors offer little customer support or onboarding process for their products. Especially with your first software, a lot of time, money, and effort will go to setting up, installing, and learning to use the software. Your practice will need support to adapt quickly and realize the software’s productivity benefits as soon as possible. 

You’ll also need professional technical support on hand to make the most of your investment and avoid downtime.

 

Whether you have an existing practice or are starting a new practice, XLDent is here to guide you in managing or establishing a successful dental practice with our software. We not only understand the importance of the software selection process, but we also take pride in the experience and knowledge our XLDent Certified professionals will offer you during the process and long after you decide to move forward with the XLDent Suite of products.

 

The XLDent Software Assurance and Business Care Plan protects your investment. We are here to help long after your initial training is complete. Our knowledgeable and friendly Implementation Specialists genuinely care about your happiness and success with the XLDent Suite. We will consistently go the extra mile to answer your questions and help you reach your software implementation goals.

 

Innovation

A software product that does not evolve cannot grow with your practice. Not only does your vendor need to be able to invest in the growth of their company to keep up with regulations, but they also need to keep up with the challenges and opportunities created by new dental technologies.

 

XLDent is committed to innovation. We use current and updated development tools for the continual enhancement of the XLDent Software Suite. At XLDent, we dedicate ourselves to providing software features and solutions focused on our clients’ success, and we work with them to define those goals. We express that dedication in our commitment to the continual enhancement and redevelopment of the tools we create. We are continually re-evaluating the current development landscape with a strong emphasis on using proven, secure technologies and features to the advantage of the dental practices that partner with us. 

 

Scalability 

The needs of dental practices are continually evolving. So is technology. A software product that gets you started today may not serve your practice in the long run as you continue to grow. Before you adopt any technology, make sure that you understand how technology can adapt and scale to align with your future goals as a business. 

 

XLDent Cloud offers a scalable cloud solution that can meet your practice where you are now and scale with you as you grow. With XLDent, all of your clinical documents, charts, patient contact information, and other practice management data can be accessed at any time by any authorized user. XLDent Cloud allows you to work in a secure environment without complicated network connections to retrieve your data. 

 

Integration

The right software for your dental practice will integrate with as many of the tools and services you need for success as possible. Always look for software solutions that offer a complete suite, or at least integrate Real-Time Insurance Eligibility, Electronic Remittance Advice, Patient and Doctor Portals, Encrypted Email, and more. 

 

XLDent has already integrated the eSolutions you need to stay competitive and maximize the efficiency of your practice. By partnering with an elite group of market leaders in the healthcare industry, we can offer you a comprehensive, fully integrated Electronic Services solution. All eSolutions are seamlessly integrated with your XLDent Suite to improve workflow processes, accuracy, patient experiences, and patient outcomes. XLDent has it all: electronic prescribing, patient and doctor portals, appointment reminders, credit card processing, electronic statement processing, electronic claim processing and claim status, real-time eligibility and benefits verification, electronic remittance advice, dental claim attachments, custom websites, marketing, offsite backup storage, Practice Booster for coding strategies, HIPAA-compliant email, cloud-based phone system through Mango Voice, and more. 

 

Posted in: Dental Practice Management Software, Dental Software, Dental Technology, Dental Web-based Solutions, Electronic Dental Records, IT Services, Perio Chart, XLDent Cloud, XLDent Company, XLDent Patient Experience, XLDent Referrals, XLDent Website, Leave a comment/ No Comments »
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Connecticut Governor Pushing for Opioid e-Prescribing Come 2018

Posted April 24, 2017 by Jennifer G

medications-342462_1920This past Valentine’s Day, Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy addressed the crowd in a rather somber tone. He went on to explain that he experienced yet another unfortunate morning passage – reading the obituary of a young local who has tragically passed due to an opioid overdose. However, he’s now taking action and has outlined several steps to fight this drug crisis.

Not only did state funding increase to further address the disease of opioid addiction, but in January he introduced a series of legislative proposals, including one that will require all opioid prescriptions to be electronically prescribed in Connecticut.

In 2015, Connecticut experienced 900 deaths because of opioids. Currently, prescribers in the state have a choice whether to prescribe opioid medication electronically or on paper, but Malloy said going completely electronic will “reduce the potential fraud and create a system of trackable data.”

Governor Malloy also realizes the insight electronic prescribing provides as a means to increasing patient safety. “A pad of paper doesn’t come from a particular site. It is hard to trace,” Malloy said. “If you do it electronically, you can instantaneously trace, and it’s easier for us to document who is getting the drug, and who is prescribing the drug.”

Paper prescriptions which are the alternative to e-Prescriptions leave room for translation errors by the pharmacy, but also opens the door for patients to alter, lose, steal, or sell handwritten prescriptions.

In addition to increased patient safety, opioid e-Prescribing will:

  • Combat the rising issue of prescription fraud within a dental practice, including misuse of a dentist’s DEA number, forged signatures, and stolen prescription pads by patients or an Insider Threat.
  • Add to patient convenience by reducing wait times in pharmacies.
  • Allow a prescriber to query a patient’s medication history at point of care in order to determine if they are “doctor shopping”, or visiting multiple prescribers strictly to receive opioid prescriptions.
  • Increase patient medication pick-up adherence. Between 28% and 31% of all paper prescriptions either never make it to the pharmacy or are not picked up at all.

To put it simply, opioid e-Prescribing is one of the most effective solutions that is being rightfully viewed by Governor Malloy as a necessary tool in the state’s arsenal to combat the ever increasing opioid crisis.

For the protection of patients across Connecticut, Governor Malloy is urging for this imperative legislation to be effective as of January 1, 2018.

Click here to read the proposed bill. [See Sec. 3. Section 21a-249.]

Get more information about ePrescribing and start protecting yourself and patients today!

Sources: New Haven Register; CT News Junkie; WNPR

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Pennsylvania’s Recent e-Prescribing Legislation: What You Need to Know

Posted March 21, 2017 by Jennifer G

Video Courtesy of Penn Live

Pennsylvania experienced an astounding 3,264 opioid overdose deaths in 2015, a 20.1% increase from 2014. With the rising, devastating numbers in tow, Pennsylvania has decided to take further action and follow suit with New York and Maine.

On February 6, 2017,  Pennsylvania State Senator Richard Alloway and Pennsylvania State Representative Tedd Nesbit announced the introduction of legislation that will require all opioid prescriptions such as OxyContin®, Percocet®, and Norco® to be electronically prescribed (e-Prescribed) in Pennsylvania.

This legislation was initiated shortly after Pennsylvania introduced a more robust Prescription Drug Monitoring Program and is meant to help reduce opioid drug diversion, decrease opioid overdose deaths, and increase overall patient safety.

“In 2017, it just plain makes sense to prescribe the most addictive, but necessary, medication through e-Prescribing.” – Penn Live

Paper prescriptions which are the alternative to e-Prescriptions leave room for translation errors by the pharmacy, but also opens the door for patients to alter, lose, steal, or sell handwritten prescriptions.

In addition to increased patient safety, opioid e-Prescribing will:

  • Combat the rising issue of prescription fraud within a dental practice, including misuse of a dentist’s DEA number, forged signatures, and stolen prescription pads by patients or an Insider Threat. Get your copy of the Insider Threat eBook here.
  • Add to patient convenience by reducing wait times in pharmacies.
  • Ensure that any drug-drug and drug-allergy interactions based on a patient’s medication history are found and reported to the dentist before the prescription order is completed.
  • Increase patient medication pick-up adherence. Between 28% and 31% of all paper prescriptions either never make it to the pharmacy or are not picked up at all.

To put it simply, opioid e-Prescribing is one of the most effective solutions that is being rightfully viewed as an optimal tool by the state of Pennsylvania to combat the ever increasing opioid crisis.

For the protection of patients, the General Assembly is being urged to pass this vital legislation before June 30, 2017. Click here to read the proposed bill.

Get more information about ePrescribing and schedule a demo today!

Sources: OpenPR; Penn Live; PA State Legislation; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Pennsylvania Department of Health

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Understanding Risk from a Clinical Perspective

Posted January 24, 2017 by Dawn

Whether you’re just getting started or a seasoned vet, every dentist has heard the phrase “If it’s not in the chart, it didn’t happen.” And, even though we’ve all heard it before, many dentists continue to repeat the bad habits of their predecessors, leaving themselves at risk for malpractice lawsuits and fraud. In today’s blog, we’ll explore the clinical aspects to risk management in the dental office.

The Dental Chart

In order for the dental chart, or electronic dental record, to be defensible in a court of law, it needs to provide a consistent and detailed account of events. Let’s look more closely at some of the key components to the dental chart and ways to safeguard your practice.

Health History

While most practices are good about obtaining health history information at the time of a patient’s initial visit, many fail to maintain consistency when it comes to updating information. With a lot of dentists counting on hygienists and assistants to update health history information, it’s easy to get lazy with your review of this information. Never assume that your hygienist or assistant will tell you about important changes. Make it a habit to review the information in your electronic dental record prior to each patient encounter and document this in your clinical progress note. The recent addition of the Medical Tab in the XLDent chart helps clinicians view and update medical conditions and medications easily.

Pre-Treatment Diagnosis

Failure to document a definitive diagnosis is a common weakness to the electronic dental record in many practices. The clinical progress note should reflect your diagnosis and the findings that led to your diagnosis. Supporting items, like radiographs and treatment plans, will also help strengthen and validate your progress note. Additionally, your documentation must reflect the treatment options that were recommended and alternatives that were discussed with the patient.

Informed Consent

ink form consentPrior to treatment, the dentist bears the responsibility of obtaining informed consent from the patient to perform the procedures that were diagnosed. For most, the process to obtain consent involves a conversation with the patient that results in patient understanding and acceptance of the treatment that will be provided. When it comes to malpractice claims, lack of consent is frequently cited. At a minimum, the clinical progress note should reference the process used to obtain consent and that the patient consented to the treatment provided. For riskier procedures, consider obtaining consent in writing to help support your clinical note. One such method is clinical consent forms that are signed on the tablet pc when using XLDent’s Ink Forms.

Medications

ePrescribeEven in 2017, many prescribers will be the victim of prescription theft or tampering. Sending prescriptions to the pharmacy electronically offers greater protection for the prescriber, reducing the risk of fraud. Additionally, ePrescribing software offers safety measures for the patient. When creating a prescription electronically, ePrescribing software will alert you of drug interactions caused by allergies or other medications.

 

 

 

We hope these recommendations will help you minimize the risk of fraud or error in your clinical settings. If you found this information helpful, be sure to check out Part II of our risk management series next week as we look at the role infrastructure technology plays in managing risk.

 

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