Ask Marty: What is your experience with Dentrix VoicePro?

Jan 12, 2011

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Q: Please update your experience with the Dentrix VoicePro module. I am considering incorporating this voice recognition software to speed up my chart entries.

A: Dentrix VoicePro 5.0 is a speech recognition tool that allows you to record chairside clinical charting, perio examinations, and clinical notes by speaking into a microphone instead of manually recording the information.

We tried it in my office a few years ago when we migrated to the G series of Dentrix. The purpose of trying VoicePro was to assist with periodontal charting, allowing the hygienist to do charting without an assistant. I also tried it for dictating chart notes. We were using wired headsets. Training is required and the more you train the software, the better it performs.

I do know of dental offices that have successfully incorporated VoicePro. I will say I abandoned using it first, as I found talking to the computer cumbersome. I felt it actually slowed down input when compared to well-written templates. I also had HIPAA concerns, as patients in other operatories could possibly overhear my dictation.

My hygienist continued trying to use VoicePro for her perio charting but also stopped using it when we found an easier and less expensive alternative. We went to USB numeric keyboards and have the patient press a button on the keyboard in response to the hygienist's voice.

I would suggest you try it for yourself and see, after training, if it meets your needs. You can also try PerioPal if your needs are strictly for periodontal charting. PerioPal is available for a free 30-day trial at www.periopal.com.

Martin Jablow, D.M.D., is a practicing dentist and a self-professed technophile who lectures and blogs on a variety of technologies used in dentistry (dentechblog.blogspot.com). If you have a technology question for Dr. Jablow, e-mail it to us at [email protected].

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