Dr Millie Morrison is well-known for her aesthetic restorative dentistry, serving on the Board of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and mentoring via Aligner Confidence. Invisalign has been Millie's favourite orthodontic system since 2016, and she is a global speaker teaching clinical techniques. Her passion is providing the right treatment for her clients, building strong and trusting relationships, and mentoring her colleagues to do the same.
As dentists, we understand that providing exceptional patient care goes beyond the treatment itself. It also involves meticulous record-keeping and documentation that reflects the clinical and emotional aspects of our interactions with patients.
This is an essential part of the process that ensures legal compliance and significantly enhances patient outcomes. However, like many of my colleagues, I've found the traditional methods of note-taking to be time-consuming and stressful.
That is until I discovered Kiroku, which has changed the way I document patient care.
The Critical Role of Detailed Clinical Records
When considering the importance of comprehensive records in dentistry, it's vital to acknowledge the multi-faceted nature of our responsibilities. Our records must capture not just the clinical data, but also the nuanced details of patient interactions and aspirations.
This dual approach serves several purposes:
- Legal implications: In our profession, precise and comprehensive records are essential for legal protection. Well-documented notes can be our strongest defence if our clinical decisions are ever questioned.
- Effective treatment planning: Accurate clinical records enable us to conduct thorough treatment planning from the comfort of our own space, free from the pressures of the clinical environment. This flexibility improves our ability to consider various treatment options and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.
- Personalised patient care: By capturing the patient's desires and concerns, we can tailor our treatment plans to meet their individual needs, leading to better patient satisfaction and outcomes.
The Challenge of Traditional Note-Taking
Despite its importance, writing detailed and accurate clinical notes is one of the most time-consuming and mentally draining tasks we face as dentists.
Many of us can relate to the anxiety that comes from constantly worrying about whether we've documented every detail accurately. This concern isn't merely about thoroughness - it’s about the potential legal repercussions of not having "written it down."
Such stress can detract from our ability to focus on patient care and can even encroach on our personal lives. Nobody wants to spend their evenings or weekends catching up on notes that should ideally be completed during clinical hours.
For me, this was a significant source of frustration. Then I started using Kiroku.
User-Friendly Templates and Workflow
Initially, I was dubious about how much of a difference Kiroku could make. The idea of integrating a new tool into my workflow seemed like just another task on my to-do list.
However, after committing to setting up the templates correctly, the impact was transformative. Kiroku's user-friendly interface allows me to customise templates to suit my documentation needs perfectly.
During patient assessments, my nurse and I work seamlessly as a team. Kiroku allows my nurse to populate problem lists and diagnoses in real time, so by the time the appointment is over, my notes are almost complete.
This collaborative approach means I only need to add personalised details and minor adjustments, significantly reducing the time spent on documentation.
Efficient and Accurate Documentation
In most cases, I can finish my notes in under five minutes, sometimes even as quickly as 60 seconds. This efficiency means I'm no longer writing notes during lunch breaks or after hours. The immediacy of having completed documentation allows me to focus more on patient care and also affords me the luxury of enjoying a more balanced life outside of work.
One of the standout features of Kiroku is Kiroku Docs.
Treatment planning letters are a crucial part of my practice; they help ensure patients fully understand their treatment options and can make informed decisions. Traditionally, drafting these letters was a painstaking and lengthy process, sometimes taking up entire non-clinical days.
With Kiroku Docs, I can transition seamlessly from assessment to letter writing. The system automatically generates the core content of the letter based on the clinical data captured during the assessment and I just spend a few minutes personalising the letter even further.
This automation allows me to focus on adding the personalised elements that make the letters meaningful for each patient. As a result, what used to take hours can now be completed in just five to ten minutes.
The Broader Impact on Clinical Practice
Kiroku has not only streamlined my documentation process but also improved the overall patient experience. By freeing up time previously spent on administrative tasks, I can devote more energy to patient care and practice development.
My patients also appreciate the clarity and thoroughness of their treatment plans, which fosters trust and enhances compliance.
Kiroku is a Game-Changer for Modern Dentistry
Thinking about my journey with Kiroku, I can confidently say that it has been one of the most impactful tools in my career. It has fundamentally changed how I approach documentation, enabling me to provide better patient care while reducing stress and improving my work-life balance.
I was recommended to use Kiroku by a colleague and it has radically changed how long it takes to carry out my workflow. It's one the best things I've ever been recommended to use as a dentist. If I think about the one thing that's had the biggest impact on my day to day life, Kiroku is probably right up there and continues to be.
For any dentist looking to enhance their practice efficiency and effectiveness, I wholeheartedly recommend giving Kiroku a try. It may just be the transformative tool you need to take your clinical practice to the next level. It's insanely good value when you consider how much time it gives you back. You need to spend a bit of time getting everything the way you want it, but once it's there it's magical - and you can keep updating your templates as you evolve and improve.
By investing in Kiroku, we're not just optimising our workflows; we're taking a significant step towards a future where patient care is more personalised, decisions are better informed, and the practice of dentistry is more fulfilling than ever.
You can listen in to the full conversation with Millie in the YouTube video below. Members of her Aligner Confidence course also get access discounted subscriptions and exclusive Kiroku templates created by Millie.
