Abstract
This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Intervention). The objectives are as follows: The objective of the review is to evaluate the impact of different patient record systems on dental practice and patient care. We would consider any comparison between different patient record systems against each other but also specifically consider the following questions: 1) Is there any measurable difference between computerized patient record systems and paper based ones? 2) Is there any measurable difference between patient held record systems and practice held ones? 3) Is there any measurable difference between multidisciplinary patient record systems (integrated medical and dental ones) and separate ones? We also intend to identify and report features of the setting that could potentially affect the impact of the intervention in a specific setting.