I am very happy with the addition of the new Orthodontic Assessment tab within the patient chart.
To further refine Dentally’s orthodontic functionality and better reflect the differences between general dental and orthodontic workflows, I would like to propose the following features under the ortho tab on the patient chart.
1. Modifiable Orthodontic Assessment
The new assessment layout is a great start but appears tailored toward a UK-style orthodontic examination. I would appreciate the ability to customise this tab, similar to how custom fields in treatments can be configured. If the existing tab is required for automated UK claims submission, perhaps a separate custom orthodontic assessment option could be introduced for other users.
2. Orthodontic Progress Appointments
Progress appointments in orthodontics are typically brief, focusing on key clinical details such as:
-
Buccal segment relationships
-
Overjet and overbite
-
Archwires and elastics
-
Broken/replaced brackets and wirebends
It would be ideal if these parameters could be viewed and recorded directly under the orthodontic tab in the patient chart. The ability to record select features each visit, and have them display as columns with numerical values over time would make tracking progress far more efficient. Ideally the features being recorded each visit could also be customized.
Currently some of these parameters can already be recorded by inputting a new orthodontic assessment, but this is not feasible on an appointment to appointment basis. In addition, measurements such as skeletal relationship generally do not signficantly change with time, excluding longer term growth and surgical treatment, so these do not need to be included in the summary screen. I have attached an image here showing what is currently possible under the orthodontic tab.
3. Treatment Overview
Some details for an orthodontic treatment plan should be easily available for reference frozen at the top of the page under the ortho tab on patient chart. These could even replace the odontogram on the ortho tab. These features relate to the overall treatment plan (eg: bracket system, mechanics, appliances, previous treatment), treatment milestones (eg: start date, estimated finish date, previous elastic wear, dates of recent radiographs, dates of completing phases of treatment) and specific concerns (eg: patterns of poor hygiene, treating orthodontist in multi-orthodontist practices).
I believe these features would dramatically improve the experience of orthodontic note taking and treatment ease using the Dentally system. I would be happy to discuss these ideas further and hope other practitioners find these suggestions equally valuable.
