All Healthcare Information Technology, including systems used in dental practices, such as patient record software and digital imaging tools, has the potential to cause patient harm if it contains design flaws, is used incorrectly by the dental team, or fails to function properly.

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With the rapid advancement of healthcare technology, particularly the rise of artificial intelligence, systems are becoming increasingly complex. AI-powered diagnostic tools, predictive analytics, and automated decision support are now being integrated into clinical workflows. While these innovations offer tremendous potential, their complexity introduces new risks, for example, when design flaws or algorithmic biases go unnoticed.

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At the same time, our reliance on these technologies is deepening. Electronic health records, digital imaging, and cloud-based platforms are now central to everyday dental practice. This dependence means that any disruption, whether technical failure or cyberattack, can have immediate and serious consequences for patient safety.

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And yet, our understanding of how these technologies work often lags behind their adoption. Many dental professionals receive limited training on the safe use of digital technologies. This knowledge gap increases the likelihood of misuse, misinterpretation, or overreliance.

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Together, these factors create a perfect storm that elevates the risk of unintended harm. Addressing this requires not only better-designed systems, but also comprehensive training, transparent oversight, and a culture of digital literacy within dental care.

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Digital Clinical Safety is a structured clinical governance and risk management process aimed at identifying and mitigating risks to patients arising from the use of digital healthcare technologies. While no technology is entirely risk-free, the goal of Digital Clinical Safety is not to eliminate all risk, but to reduce or remove any risks that are deemed unacceptable to patient care. This encompasses everything from the way software is designed to how it is used in daily practice, such as during treatment planning or when managing patient records.  ​This proactive approach helps ensure that dental software and digital systems are safe, reliable, and compliant with legal safety standards. It’s not just best practice, it’s a statutory obligation. Under the Health and Social Care Act 2012, all healthcare providers in England, including dental practices, are legally required to adhere to two national clinical safety standards set by NHS England.​