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

Abstract

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.