Record integrity · 5 min read
Original-Record Integrity During Audit Preparation
Why original dental records must remain unaltered during audit preparation, and design principles that help software preserve them.
The principle
An audit response should present the record as it exists. Preparation work — organizing, annotating, flagging — should happen alongside the original records, never by changing them.
Design principles CareProof is building around
CareProof is being designed so that imported source documents are stored as read-only references. Findings and notes are separate objects that link back to a specific page or region of the original, rather than modifying it.
- Imported originals are not edited by the platform
- Every finding links to the specific source record that supports it
- Review actions are recorded in an audit trail with user and timestamp
- Corrections to the chart itself happen in your practice management system, per college guidance
See how CareProof is approaching this
We'll walk you through the planned workflow using synthetic data.
Why it matters
Preserving originals protects the office, the dentist and the patient. It keeps the conversation with the carrier grounded in what was documented at the time of care.
This article is general information and is not legal, clinical, regulatory or billing advice. Consult your provincial regulatory authority and professional advisors for guidance specific to your practice.