The 3 Options for Managing Your Clinic

If you are running a dental practice in Sri Lanka today, you generally fall into one of three categories:

1. The Traditionalist: You use CR books and paper cards.
2. The Improviser: You use a generic POS system (designed for supermarkets/shops) or Excel.
3. The Modernist: You use a dedicated Dental Practice Management System (PMS).

Which one actually saves you money and protects your license? Let's compare them.

1. Paper Records (CR Books)

This is how 90% of clinics start. It is cheap and requires no electricity.

• The Problem: It is unsearchable. If a patient returns after 2 years complaining of pain, can you find their X-ray and notes in 30 seconds? Probably not.
• The Risk: Termites, water damage, and fire. In Sri Lanka's humid climate, paper records degrade fast. Losing patient history is a violation of PHSRC guidelines.

2. Generic POS Systems

Some doctors buy "Retail POS" software because it is cheap (LKR 20,000 one-time).

• The Problem: These systems are built for selling biscuits, not treating patients. They have no Odontogram (tooth chart). You cannot mark a "Mesial Filling on Tooth 46."
• The Risk: They lack medical data privacy features. They treat a "Root Canal" the same as selling a "Soap Bar"—just a transaction, not a medical procedure.

3. DentalDesk (Dedicated PMS)

Built specifically for Sri Lankan surgeons.

• The Advantage: It combines the speed of a POS with the clinical depth of a hospital system.
• The Killer Feature: Automated Aftercare. Neither paper nor a generic POS can automatically send a WhatsApp message in Sinhala telling your patient how to care for their extraction.

The Comparison Table

Conclusion

Paper is free but costs you time. Generic POS is cheap but dangerous for clinical records.

DentalDesk is the only solution that actually helps you grow. By automating the "boring stuff" (reminders, inventory, charting), you save about 5 hours of admin work per week.

Ready to switch? Book a free demo today.