Course Outline: Dental informatics is the application of computer and information sciences to improve dental practice, research, education, and management; it is a relatively new field with significant potential for supporting dentistry’s many facets. This course has two primary objectives. The first one is will introduce students to basics of computers and the most common computer applications. Basic computer skills will help students use computer-aided instruction software in the basic sciences. The skills acquired through this course will be immediately useful in other parts of the curricu¬lum. The second course, "Dental Informatics," concentrates on using computers in the dental office and should be offered in the junior or senior year. Topics include components and functions of practice management programs; computer based oral health records, digital imaging, and buying and managing computer systems. So participants will begin with conceiving an informatics course, continue to the development of a full course proposal, and explore implementation and evaluation issues. Course Outcomes: By the end of this course, student should be able to: 1. Understand the basic components of computer systems, and be able to describe how hardware and software combine into func¬tional systems 2. Operate computers using state-of-the-art operating systems, and perform routine tasks associated with computer use, such as data backup and information organization and man¬agement 3. Use social tools and electronic mail to communicate with fellow students, faculty at Temple Dental School, and colleagues around the world 4. Use generic graphics software to develop graphs and illustra¬tions, and acquire, analyze, and manipulate digital images Participate in dentally-related internet discussion lists such as the dentistry mailing list, the dental list for students (DENTST-L), and newsgroups. 5. Understand, describe, select, and use computer applications that support clinical dentistry, such as computerized charting, com¬puter supported diagnosis and treatment planning, electronic clinical devices, and data analysis tools 6. Understand and apply the concepts of the Computer-based Oral Health Record and their implications for patient care 7. Describe functions in practice management that can be supported by computer technology, and select and use appropriate com¬puter applications to perform these functions 8. Evaluate practice management systems comparatively and de¬velop a complete budget for computer systems purchases 9. Identify areas suitable for decision support, research available applications, and select and use them Educational Methods: 1. Lectures. Assessment of Students: 1. Continuous assessment. 2. Final Examination. References: 1. Dental Informatics: Integrating Technology into the Dental Environment, L. M. Abbey, J. Zimmerman.1992, Springer-Verlag, New York. 2. Dental Informatics: Strategic Issues for the Dental Profession by J. J. Salley , O. Rienhoff, J. L. Zimmerman , D. A. Lindberg , M. J. Ball 1991, Springer-Verlag, New York.