Summary: For Dentists, “cloud Computing” is Heaven Sent

Anyone who uses a cell phone or ATM, listens to songs on iTunes or downloads documents using Google Docs does so thanks to “cloud computing,” the term that refers to the variety of ways in which information can be stored and instantly shared around the globe. Cloud computing has made its way to dentistry thanks to Henry Schein DDX, which has started an integrated network that allows dentists to share, via technologies such as 3Shape, D4D and Dental Wings, prescription information, account details such as statements and payments, case design and lab case information. DDX requires no software, is delivered and built online and has already been embedded, free of charge, into all 47,000 of Henry Schein’s practice management platforms. (It is available free to all dentists, though those with Henry Schein software have the maximum amount of integration capabilities) DDX will be even easier to access in 2012, when its mobile apps are released. DDX improves the profitability and efficiency of dentists, who are able to see more patients and cut down on distractions such as patient rebookings, phone calls and digging into a patient’s “hard copy” files.