Computer Technologies
Computers have become permanent fixtures in modern dental offices, but there
is a big difference between just having computers and
having a computer system that works harmoniously with providing
quality dental care.
First and foremost, computers in a dental office must be reliable and
efficient since they are a critical component to daily operations.
Second, prudent security measures must be implemented to protect
patient information. Lastly, the entire system should be transparent;
meaning that the hardware must be aesthetically integrated into the
office so that it never gets in the way of dentistry.
The following describes the computer technologies in our office and
how we believe it fulfills the requirements of a reliable, secured,
and transparent system.
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Workstations are computers on steroids! They are designed to
run high-end, resource-intensive applications used in
engineering, digital content, and financial analysis. We chose
workstations for our office because they are fast, reliable
and can handle any dental application with ease. |
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Our treatment rooms are equipped with dual flat panel
displays. One display is located behind the dental chair so
the dentist can easily view patient data and x-rays during
procedures. The other display is located in front of the
dental chair so patients can comfortably view dental health
information. Also, the front display is equipped for
audio/visual presentations when necessary. |
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In today's world, using technology properly requires a lot of
responsibility, especially when it comes to data security. We
understand this responsibility and have implemented stringent
security protocols. Although no security process is 100%
secure, we will continue to use the latest technologies
available to ensure our patient's private health information
is protected to the fullest extent possible. |
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Data integrity is very important since we operate a virtually
paperless office. Our server utilizes RAID redundant hard
drives. Critical data is automatically backed-up daily,
weekly, and monthly. Backup data is maintained both onsite and
offsite. Offsite copies are password-protected and encrypted
with 256-bit key AES encryption. |
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Our office is equipped with a high-speed, CAT6-cabled and
switched gigabit network. A gigabit (1000Mbit) network can theoretically move data up
to 10x faster than the standard 100Mbit networks commonly used
today. Do we really need a gigabit network for today's dental
applications? Probably not, but we like to be prepared for the
future. |
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Power outages and electrical surges can cause hardware
failures and/or data corruption. Although surges caused by
lightening strikes are a rarity in San Francisco, power
outages represent a real threat. To alleviate this threat, our
computers, network, and phones are protected by surge and
battery backup units to ensure a safe and orderly shutdown of
equipment in case of a power outage or brown-out conditions.
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