Computerized Dental Charting
Edward T. Earley, DVM
Authors address: Laurel Highland Farm & Equine Services, LLC, 2586 Northway Road
Ext., Williamsport, PA, 17701; E-mail: etearley@earthlink.net.
Introduction
As the standards in Equine Dentistry are being raised, the need for advanced record
keeping and dental charting closely follows. Advanced Dental Charting may include
images such as color illustrations, incorporated photographs and radiographs. Detailed
record keeping in each of the sub-disciplines is becoming the expected “standard of
care”.
The aspects of computerized record keeping that will be discussed include dental charting
and documentation, taking and processing dental photographs and incorporating
radiographs. Other topics that will be briefly discussed include utilizing a technician and
file synchronization.
The goals of current record keeping standards can be easily met by computerization.
These goals should include:
1) To have an organized documentation of the equine patient and of the dental
procedures performed.
2) The dental chart should be easily readable by other physicians and by the client.
3) Images such as photographs, radiographs and CT’s should be easily incorporated
into the dental chart.
4) The dental chart should be reproducible, easy to file, easy to access and printable.
5) The time and effort to create a dental chart should not be overbearing.
6) A back-up and file transfer system should be established.
Equipment
The equipment needed is readily available at most computer or office supply stores. The
equipment list includes:
1) A laptop that has a fairly strong RAM (Random Access Memory) of at least 1 GB
and a hard drive storage capacity of at least 80 GB.
2) A tablet system for color illustrations and drawingsa.
3) A digital camera that is capable of taking at least a 5 mega pixel image.
4) File management softwareb.
5) Image editing softwarec.
6) A compact combination printer that can print, scan and copy.
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