With the advancement of technology, digital data storage has become an essential part of the work of dentists and dental technicians. In Bulgaria, legal regulations ensure the security of personal data and the quality of dental care. Compliance with these regulations is crucial not only for protecting patients but also for maintaining the smooth operation of dental practices and dental laboratories.
Document Retention Periods
The document retention periods are outlined in the contract between the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and the Bulgarian Dental Union (BDU). The retention periods for medical and financial documentation are strictly regulated in the National Framework Agreement for Dental Activities (2023–2025).
- Dental laboratories and dental clinics must store documents for uninsured patients for at least three years or according to the internal rules of the practice.
- Dental laboratories and dental clinicsmust store documents for insured patients for five years after the termination of the respective NHIF contract.
Documents can be in paper or electronic format, but the practice must protect them against loss, damage, or unauthorized access.
Personal Data Protection
When storing patient information, the provisions of the Personal Data Protection Act and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) must be adhered to. One of the key requirements is to implement measures to protect against unauthorized access, loss, or destruction of data. Additionally, patients must be informed about how their data is processed and stored. Complying with these requirements not only ensures data security but also protects dentists and dental technicians in the event of legal disputes.
Data protection requires dental laboratories and dentists to take appropriate technical and organizational measures. Technical measures include data encryption, which ensures protection during storage and transfer. Using secure servers and regularly backing up information prevents the loss of important data. Installing antivirus software and a firewall protects against cyberattacks and malicious software. Access control ensures that only authorized personnel can access protected information. Organizational measures include training staff in cybersecurity best practices. A password management policy requires the use of strong and unique passwords. These measures ensure reliable protection of the data entering dental laboratories and dental clinics.
Electronic Signing and Document Authenticity
Electronic signatures play a key role in the digital storage of medical documents, ensuring security and legal validity in data exchange and storage.
How does an electronic signature guarantee document security?
- Authenticity – Confirms that the document was created or signed by a specific person (e.g., dentist, dental technician, clinic).
- Integrity – Once signed, the document cannot be altered without detection.
- Legal validity – Electronically signed documents hold the same legal weight as paper-based ones.
- Traceability – Each signed document contains details about the signer, date, and time of signing.
Digital Data Storage with AMOSYS
To facilitate the work of dentists and dental technicians, AMOSYS offers a modern and secure platform for digital order and data management.
AMOSYS ensures secure storage, protecting sensitive information while allowing easy access from any device without data loss risks. It features two access levels—one for laboratory managers and another for dental technicians.
The system enables efficient order tracking through structured organization and archiving. Additionally, AMOSYS complies with data protection regulations, ensuring legal compliance. With AMOSYS, digital dental data storage becomes more secure, accessible, and efficient.
Conclusion:
The digital storage of data used by dental technicians and dentists in Bulgaria requires strict adherence to legal requirements. Dentists and dental technicians need to be well informed. They must implement these requirements in their practice to ensure the security and confidentiality of their patients’ data.
AMOSYS is software for managing dental technician orders. The software provides a convenient and efficient solution for digital order and document management, which streamlines the workflow and ensures information security. Additionally, AMOSYS offers the ability to archive and manage orders in real-time, facilitating communication between dentists and dental technicians. Through the platform, users can organize and track their orders electronically, without the need for physical documents, which significantly optimizes the workflow.
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