Taking accurate notes is one of the most important parts of being a dentist. It helps keep track of patient care and protects clinicians in case of legal issues. But writing detailed notes takes time - something dentists don’t always have.
Simon Thackeray is the Principal of an award-winning practice and a leading and experienced dentist with a legal background, working for Expert Witness. He’s also President and a founding member of the British Association of Private Dentists (BAPD).
He explains why note-taking is so important and how Kiroku makes it faster and easier.
Why Accurate Notes Matter More Than Ever
Dentists have always needed good notes, but now they are more important than ever. If involved in a legal case, a dentist's notes will be used as proof of what happened during treatment. If something isn’t written down, regulators often assume it didn’t happen at all.
Simon puts it clearly:
"There are high levels of litigation now. Our regulator seemingly relies on what was written down as the absolute definition of what was done. That's why it has never been more important to record the actual events of a consultation accurately and completely. The main challenge in doing this is one of time and creating a bespoke description of the treatment and the visit a patient experienced.
Every patient is different, so dentists often face a difficult choice:
- Use basic templates – These are quick, but they don’t always capture the details of the treatment.
- Write everything manually – This takes longer but ensures accuracy.
Many clinicians either rush through notes at the end of a long day or rely on generic templates. The problem with these templates is that may not fully capture the nuances of a patient’s visit. They also don't prompt you to collect extra relevant, detailed information.
Neither option is perfect. That’s why we designed Kiroku to give dentists a better way to write notes.
How Kiroku Makes Note-Taking Faster and More Accurate
Kiroku is an AI-powered note-taking tool that speeds up the process by about 60%. It works with all practice management software as you copy and paste your notes in. That means it doesn’t need downloading or integrations.
Instead of relying on copy-paste templates, dentists select relevant details from a structured workflow. This ensures that notes are:
- Personalised – Every patient’s visit is recorded accurately.
- Detailed – No important information is left out.
- Quick – Dentists can write notes much faster.
Simon explains why this is a big improvement:
"You're not relying on a cut-and-paste template. Instead, you have to positively and dynamically choose relevant entries for each patient from a comprehensive master document. This should allow clinicians to feel confident that the notes are an accurate representation for that patient. By allowing the recording of the unique subtleties that take place on an individual tooth and patient basis, there will be a reduction in the risk of clinical records not supporting the clinical situation in the event of litigation or investigation. The recording of those details that, due to their uniqueness and subtlety, can never be ‘templated’ will be far quicker."
This means better records, less stress, and more time for patient care.
Simon's nurse Ellie, who helps him write his notes, agrees. For her, the main benefit to Kiroku is the ability to focus on capturing the personalised details Simon mentions.
“My initial concern was that it would be too rigid or automated and that the templates would make everything feel too generic. But actually, Kiroku means that I don’t have to focus on capturing all the routine information as it’s handled for me. I now spend my time making sure notes are detailed and personalised, without feeling rushed or missing anything important.”
How Kiroku Helps Dentists
Running a practice involves a lot of admin work, and every minute saved on paperwork means more time with patients.
Simon highlights this:
"Whilst the time pressures in private practice are not as acute as those found in the NHS system, it is still desirable to use all time effectively. Clinicians’ time and input will still be required as these notes are proof of interaction between the patient and clinician. But Kiroku helps in making this process less time-consuming."
By making notes faster and more focused, Kiroku helps dentists in several ways:
- Spend more time with patients – Leading to better discussions and consent processes.
- Reduce misunderstandings and complaints – Because notes are clearer.
- Improve work-life balance – Less admin means fewer late nights catching up on paperwork.
Exclusive Benefits for BAPD Members
Recognising Kiroku’s value in improving efficiency and medico-legal protection, the BAPD has partnered with Kiroku to offer exclusive benefits to its members.
BAPD members receive:
- 10% off Kiroku Essential for 12 months
- 30% off Kiroku Pro for 12 months
- BAPD-approved templates, co-created with the clinical team to streamline and enhance note-taking
Additionally, the BAPD and Kiroku are committed to ongoing improvement, with plans to create even more comprehensive templates tailored to the needs of private practitioners.
"We have created some comprehensive templates that should help private practitioners streamline their note-taking by including the level of detail that is often wanted in private dental practice. We are also open to feedback as an organisation about what type of templates our members might want us to create with the help of Kiroku."
A Smarter Way to Work
Dentistry is evolving, and AI-powered solutions like Kiroku are helping clinicians work smarter, not harder. With its ability to reduce note-writing time, enhance accuracy, and improve medico-legal protection, Kiroku is fast becoming an essential tool for modern dental professionals.
If you’re looking for a better, faster, and more reliable way to take clinical notes, Kiroku is the solution you’ve been waiting for. Sign up today to take advantage of your free trial, and if you're a BAPD member, check the member area for your sign-up code and take advantage of your benefits.
