Open Dental Forum

Hi,
Is there a way of emailing progress notes? I can only find how to print them.

Thanks
-Andrea

Currently you would have to print to a .pdf file and then create an email with that .pdf file as an attachment. There is a feature request for emailing progress notes (2021), so feel free to put some of your votes on that one.
http://opendental.com/manual/featurerequests.html

Ah ok thanks -I didn't think of printing to PDF. When I right-click on the progress notes the menu has print, but no PDF option is available. Do you know how to do this?

edited: I've worked this out myself now

We recommend using encrypted email!
http://www.opendental.com/manual/emailencrypted.html

You need to have Adobe or another program installed on your computer that can create pdf files......(just google for one: How to Add an Adobe PDF Printer )
If you have that, you will get an additional printer in the printer folder: a pdf printer.

Now, when you right click on the progress notes and click print, you need to pick the pdf printer from all the printers that are installed on your computer
you will be asked to give a name to your file and you need to pick a location where to save it.
Once saved, you must encrypt it or email it with a secured email account , to satisfy HIPPA requirements
http://www.sendinc.com offer free secured email services, we use it in our office for this type of documents.

DO NOT use a regular email account to email it.

SEND SECURED & ENCRYPTED EMAILS FROM INSIDE OPEN DENTAL NOW
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=6465

Thanks -Believe it or not we don't have a requirement for email to be encrypted here, but I'm sure it will be coming at some point.

I don't believe it, where is here?

After reading her previous posts, I think Andrea is in New Zealand

I guess you could use your own version of "legalese" to argue that you "did everything in your power" if you decide to send PHI over insecure email but I would argue that you didn't do everything in your power.

The Health Information Privacy Code applies to the health information about identifiable individuals and applies to:
all agencies providing personal or public health or disability services such as primary health organisations, district health boards, rest homes, supported accommodation, doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists and optometrists;...

https://www.privacy.org.nz/the-privacy- ... vacy-code/

Rule 5 of Health Information Privacy Code 1994 - "Storage and Security of Health Information"

(1) A health agency that holds health information must ensure:
...
(b) that if it is necessary for the information to be given to a person in
connection with the provision of a service to the health agency, including any
storing, processing, or destruction of the information, everything reasonably
within the power of the health agency is done to prevent unauthorised use or
unauthorised disclosure of the information; and...

https://www.privacy.org.nz/assets/Files ... ts-2-8.pdf

Yes I'm in New Zealand.
I'll work on getting something set up for my own practice now. I've practiced here since 1998, and so far I have never received any referrals, patient notes etc that were encrypted from other dental practitioners here, and the same with my own personal correspondence coming from my family doctor. I'm sure there will be a shift over time though.