Data Analytics, Informatics and Technology | A message from the Dean

Over the past four years, we have sought to make data-driven decisions and take action in accordance with our strategic priorities. To facilitate these discussions, we have increased our strategic use of technology, both for operational purposes and to manage and assess our clinical enterprise. None of this would be possible if not for the efforts of our Information Technology Team (IT), led by Paul Andersen, Director of IT. Additionally, we have IT personnel who don’t report to Paul but are instrumental in improving data analytical power and technology use.

Paul is an incredible resource for our Digital Dentistry Work Group. In fact, his leadership and initiative were instrumental in the purchasing of equipment that is now being used in both preclinical instruction and clinical care. IT is also developing a related process by implementing Henry Schein’s DDX platform for submission of laboratory cases electronically. One IT team member, Char Miller, began refining the student Relative Value Unit (RVU) project with me when I was Academic Dean, and has continued it with Dr. Self. This project created a Tableau Dashboard that allows faculty to review how a class or a single student is progressing through their clinical education. One of the significant benefits of this project is the student-facing portal, which allows an individual student to visualize their progress. The team also continues to work with Dental Hygiene faculty on the implementation of a new software to improve the assessment process with DH students in the clinic.

Recently, the school needed to transition the Oral Pathology Practice billing software and the IT team was instrumental, partnering with the University for approval and acting as a liaison to multiple software companies to ensure compliance and accuracy in the activation process. In another financial space, we realized the need for data analytics to capture hiring, salary saving information from grants, program performance, etc. I am thankful for the work of Nicole Susuki, who works with Joel Hueschele, CFO, for her magnificent work in constructing multiple Tableau Dashboards that have significantly improved our ability to analyze our operations based on reliable data. There have also been other dashboards created by the IT team at the request of clinical systems, clinical faculty, departments, divisions and programs.

Data-driven solutions are the best way for the School of Dentistry to continue to grow and excel as a vital resource for the people of Minnesota and beyond. I am thankful to all of our IT staff—many of whom are unnamed in this message, but whose contributions are extremely impactful to the School of Dentistry advancing our mission to advance health through scientific discovery, innovative education and the highest-quality care for all communities.