Improving Patient Experience in Dental Care with Cellma
Table of Contents Help Others Discover – Click to Share! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Table of Contents The demand for quality dental care across the UK is at an all-time high, yet the sector faces mounting challenges. According to NHS statistics, only 40% of adults in England were seen by an NHS dentist in the last two years, down from 49% before the pandemic. While over 35 million courses of dental treatment were delivered in 2024/25, access remains uneven, especially in rural and deprived areas. Furthermore, oral health and disease conditions, including dental decay, periodontal disease, and late presentation due to covid backlogs continue to exert pressure on the service. These challenges underscore that there is an urgent need for advanced integrated electronic health record systems (EHR) that will manage dental workflows and integrated connections to wider healthcare pathways. CellmaEHR offers the solution, whether it be in hospitals, dental practices, or dental clinics, small or large, it offers a complete solution to improve the patient experience of dental care. Supporting the NHS 10-Year Plan Cellma is fully aligned with the NHS 10 Year Plan. Cellma provides support for digitally enabled primary healthcare, expanding community care in neighbourhood hubs, and aids in managing complex cases through the integration of a virtual ward. Cellma integrates with NHS Spine, GP Connect, NHS App and e-Referrals to create continuity of care for patients who move between dental and wider medical services. Cellma enables teams within a hospital or local clinics to cut waiting times, improve prevention, and provide safe dental care services all contributing directly to the NHS commitment to patient-centred care. Interoperability and compliance to NHS frameworks Cellma is built for seamless integration to NHS frameworks which allow dental practices, hospitals, and clinics to operate effectively and converge to local, regional, and national standards. Supporting national datasets, standards, and authentication frameworks provides a level of interoperability that supports reporting and patient safety whilst ensuring the right level of information is captured and accurately documented. Technical and Clinical Standards SNOMED CT – Standardised terminology with accurate clinical coding. HL7 and FHIR Protocols – Structured real-time data exchange across multiple NHS systems. DICOM – Ensures seamless integration of dental imaging and radiographs. PRSB Record Standards – Structured and interoperable patient records. NHS Number Integration – Ensures accuracy of patient identity across systems. NHS Integrations Spine/PDS (Personal Demographics Service) – Access to verified patient demographic information. NHS e-Referral Service (eRS) – Seamlessly refer patients to oral surgery, orthodontics and secondary care. EPS (Electronic Prescription Service) – Electronic prescription that is integrated directly into patient records. NHS Smartcard authentication – Secure access for clinicians in accordance with protocols from the NHS. NHS App Integration – Patients can view appointments, documents, and updates directly through the app. Incorporating these integrations and standards, Cellma provides assurance to dental practices that they are compliant, reducing administrative burden and being fully align Clinical Scope: Dental Conditions and Cellma’s Role Dental Condition How Cellma Assists Dental Caries & Tooth Decay Tracks progression through clinical notes, stores radiographs, records interventions, and automates recall reminders. Gum Disease & Periodontitis Integrates periodontal charting, lab test results, and structured notes for continuous monitoring and treatment planning. Oral Infections & Abscesses E-Pharmacy links with NHS EPS for quick prescriptions; secure documentation ensures safe antibiotic stewardship. Orthodontic Cases Imaging and document management modules support treatment plans, appliance tracking, and specialist referrals. Oral Cancers & Suspicious Lesions Structured templates for clinical findings, seamless referral pathways, and integration with neighbourhood care centres enable timely escalation. Dental Trauma (fractures, avulsions) Imaging integration and treatment workflow modules guide urgent care, documentation, and follow-up. Prosthodontics (dentures, crowns, bridges) Digital workflow supports lab integration, prosthetic tracking, and patient consent management. Cosmetic Dentistry (whitening, veneers) Clinical documentation ensures traceability, while patient portal supports treatment options and informed consent. Pediatric Dentistry Growth charts, fluoride treatment tracking, and recall reminders tailored for children’s oral health. Endodontic Cases (root canals) Imaging and treatment notes modules guide case complexity assessment and procedural documentation. Maxillofacial Surgery Referrals Cellma Connect (referral portal) ensures efficient transfer of radiographs, imaging, and notes to secondary care. Special Care Dentistry (patients with disabilities or comorbidities) Interoperability with hospital records and virtual ward integration supports multidisciplinary care. Preventive Care (fluoride varnish, sealants) Automated recall schedules, BI reporting for public health monitoring, and patient education via portal. Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMJD) Clinical notes, imaging records, and referral pathways for physiotherapy or surgical teams are captured within Cellma. Tackling Everyday Challenges with Cellma The dental workforce faces burnout, access pressures, and rising administrative loads. Cellma directly addresses these problems through its dedicated modules: Patient Admission and Scheduling (PAS): Reduces appointment booking errors, manages recalls, and balances urgent care slots. Electronic Patient Records (EPR): Offers a comprehensive clinical view of the patient, including treatment history, radiographs, and laboratory results. Document Management: Prepares, organises, and manages FP17 forms, safely stores patient records and consent documents and manages NHS reporting accurately. Laboratory and Imaging Integration: All dental images, blood tests, and microbiology reports can be linked and incorporated into collaborative decision making. E-Pharmacy: Electronic prescribing and seamless library management with integration to today’s EPS creates a smooth medication supply process. Communication: Access to care can be improved through secure messaging for patients to contact their provider, appointment reminders, and virtual appointments. Referral Portal (Cellma Connect): Patients can be referred into oral surgery, orthodontics, or secondary care correctly and according to NHS dataset requirements. Business Intelligence (BI) Reporting: Automatically provides compliance reporting, FP17 submissions and activity dashboards to relieve burdensome back-office functions. These modules ensure that hospitals, larger practices and small to medium sized practice or clinics can all reduce administration time and direct their energies to providing care, which ultimately improves patient experience in dental care settings. Data Security and Privacy Cellma is built with end-to-end encryption, GDPR compliance, DSP Toolkit certification, and Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation. Our system integrates fully with NHS datasets and standards; SNOMED CT, FHIR, HL7 and PRSB record structures. This not only guarantees data safety but also
