As information systems are installed in dental care centers, the management of patients with complex diseases and treatment plans changes. The paperless patient record, if designed properly, can be expanded to aid in the student education process and to afford the dental school clinical care facilities the ability to improve patient care and monitor care progress. Objective: This paper will discuss the necessary software data collection design to allow the monitoring of specific oral health diseases. Method: Using dental caries as an example, the identification of disease risk factors found within the patient record will be selectively collected and collated to allow the student to make educated decisions about the patient's caries risk. Students are then guided through the treatment planning process. Treatment plans are monitored by computer report both for accuracy and comprehensive design of the treatment plan to custom fit the patient's disease. The dental care staff can monitor the patient's ongoing care for compliance with the designed treatment plan.

Results: This presentation will provide working guide to developing software data collection and analysis will be presented. The design of reports for the management of “at risk” patients will also be presented. Conclusions: The electronic patient record, if designed properly, can afford a golden opportunity to improve student education and patient care.

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