DecisionBase Software Has Received Approval of the First U.S. Patent for a Comprehensive Electronic Clinical Record (EHR) for Dentistry

OAKLAND, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dental software developer DecisionBase has received approval of its patent application for the KNOWLEDGE BASED CLINICAL DENTAL RECORD. Previous development of dental software has concentrated on practice administration and radiographic imaging. This piece of the information puzzle will finally allow for the elimination of the paper chart. Currently two specialty versions of this electronic clinical dental record are being marketed: DecisionBase for Periodontics and DecisionBase for Oral Maxillofacial Surgery with a growing user group throughout the U.S., Canada and the United Kingdom. DecisionBase for Dentistry is currently under development for use in general dentistry. The DecisionBase EHR’s unique characteristics include its Patient Profile which provides an instant overview of a patient’s critical clinical information. It also uses check list based Smart Forms to provide an intuitive way to create clinical narrative notes without typing. Clinical information is easily shared with other treating dentists or physicians by an automated process for converting chart notes into a variety of reports, without typing and then transmits them to other healthcare providers.

“There is growing evidence that oral health problems, particularly gum disease, can harm a patient's general health as well, raising the risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, pneumonia and pregnancy complications.”

According to Dr. Paul Rhodes, CEO of DecisionBase, “The ease with which clinical information can be generated, exported and imported will be particularly valuable when a dentist and surgeon are working together to provide dental implant services.” In a Wall Street Journal article, Melinda Beck reports “There is growing evidence that oral health problems, particularly gum disease, can harm a patient's general health as well, raising the risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, pneumonia and pregnancy complications.” The ability for all medical and dental users of an EMR/EHR to share information will open up a new ability for physicians and dentists to collaborate in educating their patients as well as practicing more prevention and better care.

Over 50% of physicians in private practice have converted to the use of EMR/EHRs according to a NCHS National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. The HITECH Act of 2009 requires all healthcare providers to use EMR/EHRs by 2014. This and the younger generation of doctors who have grown up with computers, smart phones, tablets and social networking will drive this conversion to digital information management in dentistry.

For further information on DecisionBase go to www.decisionbase.com or send your request to [e-mail] or phone [phone].