Using tablet PC's in dental practice research: technology, cost savings, and direct data entry "on the go".

Recent technological developments have greatly simplified data collection, recording, and transfer in studies relying on direct observation or survey methodology, reducing both cost of data collection and the time necessary to prepare data for analysis. The purpose of this communication is to describe how tablet PC computers can be used in data collection, thereby eliminating intermediate data collection steps and chances for error, and thus reducing overall cost. The data collection procedure used to illustrate this technology is a direct observation study of the factors associated with the delivery of preventive services by dentists and hygienists in their daily practice.