Modelling the way that dentists use information: an audit tool for capability and competency.

Information, and the use of computers to provide that information, is becoming an increasingly important part of all aspects of clinical practice including dentistry. In 2003, a survey of English dental practices found nearly a quarter of practices were not using computers at all. Dental practices, whether NHS or private, can use information technology to provide significant benefits to patients and practices alike. In this article, a model is described for the maturity of information usage in dental practices. The model uses an approach successfully deployed previously in a range of applications in healthcare and other domains. The approach audits current maturity of usage and staff competency to help develop improvement plans for dental practices. The article describes how the model has been made freely available to dental practices over the Internet.