A Survey of Professional Attitudes Towards the Utilization of Information Technology (IT) in Dental Practice
Efficient information and knowledge acquisition, processing and application is vital to the progress and continued modernization of the Thai dental profession The literature in the field of knowledge transfer provides a theoretical basis which supports the argument that the introduction of IT into dental practice would greatly enhance the ability of the profession to cope with change and implement high quality clinical practice throughout the profession. This paper reports on a survey conducted to ascertain the attitude of dental professionals in the Chiang Mai province in Thailand toward the introduction of an electronic information system into clinical practice. Results indicate that a large majority of dental professionals surveyed are positive towards the introduction of such a system, though considerable upgrading and retraining in computer and keyboard skills will be required to bring many of them to the point where they can competently operate the kind of technological system that might be introduced. Results further indicate that there is a reasonable degree of confidence among professionals that an electronic system would be reliable, and that it would bring a range of benefits to dental practice. While some respondents have questions about such issues as privacy and security, it is generally believed that the introduction of IT into dental practice is the way of the future.
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