CC BY 4.0 · ACI open 2019; 03(01): e37-e43
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1688935
Original Article
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The Adaptation and Implementation of a Medical–Dental Electronic Health Record in an Academic Dental Center

Maria C. Dolce
1   School of Nursing, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States
,
Jessica L. Parker
2   School of Nursing, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
,
Scott Jason
3   Office of Administration and Finance, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
,
Catherine R. Ramos
4   Department of Clinical Affairs and Business Development, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
,
John D. DaSilva
5   Department of Restorative Dentistry and Biomaterials Science, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
› Author Affiliations
Funding This study was funded by HRSA (grant/award number: UD7HP28534) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources, Health Resources and Services Administration, through the Nurse Education, Practice, Quality, and Retention Program for Interprofessional Collaborative Practice.
Further Information

Publication History

10 August 2018

09 April 2019

Publication Date:
23 May 2019 (online)

Abstract

Background Several large health care systems in the United States have pioneered the integration of dentistry into their medical care delivery models. To date, no studies or case reports on combining medical information into the dental electronic health record within U.S. academic dental centers were found in the extant literature.

Objective This report details how we developed and implemented customized primary care elements into axiUm, a popular dental practice management software primarily used in dental schools, to facilitate medical–dental clinical integration. This work was undertaken to provide the infrastructure for nurse practitioners and dentists to deliver a holistic, integrated, person-centered approach to care.

Methods A multidisciplinary design team used the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Framework for Patient-centered Health Risk Assessments, an evidence-based framework to guide the adaptation of the existing axiUm dental record. The design featured individual data fields to source data, generate reports, and analyze information to improve clinical care and operations.

Results To date, medical information on more than 260 dental patients over 600 clinic visits has been documented in the adapted electronic health record.

Conclusion The customization capability of axiUm facilitated efficient and effective development and implementation processes. Training and user support were essential for effective implementation and led to further system refinements.

Protection of Human and Animal Subjects

No human/animal subjects were involved in the project.