Planet DDS (www.planetdds.com)is using web-based practice management software to give a whole new capability to practice management.

The web-based software, called Denticon, allows anytime, anywhwere access to the practice management application. In addition, Planet DDS manages a network of stay-at-home ex-office managers who can do remote services for the office.

Think of it this way: let's say the front desk person can't make it to the office because of a sick child or bad weather or car trouble or whatever. Since the software is online, she can have all calls forwarded to her home where she can make appointments, call patients, call insurance companies, etc. In other words, she can do from home everything she would do in the office.

Now, take this a step farther. With Planet DDS, you can outsource all those activities - to experts, who are trained and well-managed and who are focused entirely on getting those tasks done.

The goal for Planet DDS is to offer a service that allows the dentist and staff focus entirely on patient treatment and enhancing the patient experience and off-load everything else. That said, some office have Planet DDS do several outsource tasks, while others have the stay-at-home workers only do specific tasks - such as calling insuracne companies or verifying patient appointments.

At the core of this services is the software. Without web-based software, this services is not workable.