What is ANSI/ADA Technical Report No. 1041 about?
This technical report describes the data required for an electronic dental laboratory prescription from the clinician to the dental laboratory for fabrication of a restoration, including, but not limited to, the doctor and patient information required by different state regulatory bodies. Security and privacy precautions required for data transmission and storage are also discussed.
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Technical Report No. 1041
What are some of the issues covered in this technical report?
This technical report provides guidelines for the content of patient data sent to the dental laboratory and explains how the transmission of data electronically, when the proper protocols are followed, offers a degree of accuracy and security unavailable by any other mechanism. The report stresses the risks associated with the security of data “in transit” and “at rest.” Also, because the states have varying requirements for dental laboratory prescriptions, the report includes a table of the major requirements on a state-by-state basis.
What are the three major points a dentist needs to know?
- Basic information to be included in a dental laboratory prescription: Doctor’s name, license number, address and telephone, patient name or identifier, sex, age, allergies, type of restoration (using CDT code), teeth involved (using the international numbering system), shade, materials to be used, and delivery date.
- Risk analysis: The practitioner must identify the potential risks, vulnerabilities, and requirements for insuring the security and privacy of the patients’ records.
- Laboratory security: The laboratory also needs a data protection plan and must store patient data in a secure manner.
What do dentists need to consider when implementing electronic dental laboratory prescriptions?
- Format and content: Does the dentist’s software permit data entry of the required information in an electronic format that meets the needs of both the practitioner and the dental laboratory?
- Regulations: Am I meeting my state’s requirements when using the services of a dental laboratory?
- Privacy and security: Do my office procedures and computer system and the dental laboratory’s procedures and computer system both ensure patient data security and privacy?