scope:

This technical report is intended to increase the awareness and knowledge of dentists and dental healthcare providers about key concepts of the Electronic Dental Record (EDR) and the standards development process. The document can serve as a primer on the subject and as a tool to help dental offices implement an EDR. This report is useful because the application of computer-based systems in the management of dental practices, both private and institutional, have proven to be a significant and necessary resource. Over the past 25 years computer based systems supporting patient care have evolved from accounting and administrative information systems to digitally based patient record systems.