Does Frequent Use of Electronic Health Systems Improve Clinical Outcomes in Dental Practice? Evidence from Saudi Arabia

Electronic health systems; electronic dental records; dental clinical outcomes; digital dentistry; Saudi Arabia; health informatics

Saeed A. Almones1*
Department of Health and Services
Administration Faculty of Economics and
Administration King Abdulaziz University
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia ORCIDhttps://orcid.org/0009-0009-2540-7409
Address for Correspondence
Saeed A. Almones *,
Email ID: salmones@kau.edu.sa

European Journal of Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry (2026) 34,(1) 60–68

Does
Frequent
Use
of
Electronic Health Systems
Improve Clinical Outcomes in
Dental Practice? Evidence
from Saudi Arabia

The objective of this review was to assess the role of frequent use of Electronic Health Systems (EHS) in clinical outcomes of dental practice, with special emphasis on Saudi Arabian evidence. A narrative review of peer-reviewed literature published within the last 15 years was conducted. International and Saudi-based studies addressing EHS use in dentistry were analysed, with emphasis on system utilisation frequency, clinical workflows, and measurable outcomes such as diagnostic accuracy, patient safety, treatment efficiency, and continuity of care. The evidence shows that the high and meaningful use of EHS, not just the adoption of the system, correlates with the high quality of documentation, increased diagnostic consistency, a high quality of the preventive care delivery, and efficiency in the working process. The field of international studies has shown that regular access to advanced EHS functionalities has more clinical benefits than infrequent access. The Saudi evidence also indicates that there is high adoption of EHS in the dental setting, especially in public and academic dental settings, but the inconsistency in the level of usage, training, and the usability of the system prevents the consistent improvement of the outcomes. Frequent EHS use has the potential to positively influence dental clinical outcomes, but its effectiveness depends on user proficiency, system integration, and institutional support. Evidence from Saudi Arabia suggests progress in adoption, yet highlights gaps in outcome-focused research. Promoting frequent, clinically meaningful EHS use can enhance quality, safety, and efficiency in dental practice, supporting outcome-based and digitally enabled oral healthcare.

Received: 11.05.2025 Accepted: 27.08.2025

1. Introduction Electronic Health Systems (EHS) have become part of the contemporary healthcare delivery system, helping to systematically gather, store and share information about the health of patients. Electronic Dental Records (EDR) in dental practice are an example of EHS that is more specific to diagnostic procedures, treatment planning, documentation, and continuation of care. The systems combine clinical data, radiographic images, appointment scheduling and billing information, therefore, increasing efficiency in clinical workflow and accessibility of data.1 The trends in the adoption of EHS have been quickening throughout the last 20 years all over the world as a result of technological progress, governmental movements, and the growth of the focus on evidence-based practice. Most healthcare systems have shifted from paper-based systems to digital systems to enhance care coordination, decrease medical errors, and improve clinical decision-making. The EHS uptake in dentistry has taken a relatively similar path, albeit at a rather slower rate, because of differences in the scale of practice, cost factors and training needs.2 However, as per the current research, there is an increasing use of EDRs both in public and private dental care facilities across the globe. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ejprd.org - Published by Dennis Barber Journals. Barber Ltd. All rights reserved

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