QR/Barcode-Based Chairside Tracking with Raspberry Pi in Dental Clinics: A Single-Site Survey Study

Introduction/Objective: The integration of technology into dentistry is rapidly expanding, improving various aspects of dental care, including treatments and services. This study introduces a novel system to address challenges in managing prosthetics from dental labs and scheduling patient appointments in dental clinics. The system has been granted an Indian patent. Methods: The system integrates hardware and software components, including a Raspberry Pi, barcode scanner, output devices (speaker/LCD), input devices (keyboard/microphone), a database management system, and email/SMS API services for notifications. It was implemented in a busy dental clinic in Delhi, India. Validation involved surveys of dentists and patients, along with measurement of objective performance metrics such as appointment turnaround delay, order mismatch/ error rates, staff time saved, and notification latency. Results: Implementation of the automated system reduced average appointment turnaround delay, decreased order mismatch/error rates, saved staff time per day, and minimized notification latency. Discussion: These findings demonstrate that the system effectively streamlines appointment scheduling and prosthetic management. The integration of automated tracking and notifications provides operational efficiency and improves workflow for clinic staff, visiting dentists, and patient experience. Conclusion: The study highlights the practical benefits of a unified automated system in dental clinics, showing measurable improvements in efficiency, accuracy, and overall service delivery.