title: Basic computing for dental practitioners: 5. Practice management systems.
abstract: This article examines the specialist software that is commercially available to assist the running of a dental practice. Generically termed 'practice management systems' (PMSs), these programs are designed to help perform many of the clerical, administrative and accounting tasks traditionally carried out manually, in a shorter time and with greater accuracy. PMSs have benefited considerably from advances in computer technology, particularly the increased speed of processors and graphic displays, to the point that they have become a viable alternative to an appointments diary and clinical records.
authors.affiliation: Warwick Hospital.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Weerakone
mesh_terms: D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D003199:Computer Systems; D003792:Dental Records; D006801:Humans; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized; D009816:Office Automation; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011215:Practice Management, Dental; D012984:Software; D014584:User-Computer Interface