OBJECTIVES
This study evaluated the functional characteristics of hardware and software in Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) in dental hospitals and examined the impact of the functional characteristics on user satisfaction, ease of use, and usefulness of PACS.

METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on dentists at 20 dental hospitals. The dentists assessed the functional characteristics of PACS, and also evaluated the outcomes of PACS use such as user satisfaction, ease of use, and usefulness. For each outcome variable, regression analysis was performed to determine the significant functional characteristics influencing each outcome variable.

RESULTS: The image quality of device and the diagnosis-supporting function served as the most important factors in user satisfaction. Experience of the PACS system was correlated with ease of use. Dentists specialized in oral maxillofacial surgery evaluated PACS very useful, and intention to participation in education in the future showed significant correlation with usefulness. The more experience of using PACS system and concern about education, the higher usefulness for the system.

CONCLUSIONS: This study has significance in that it can be used as reference for constructing high-efficiency system in dental hospitals adopting the PACS system and also in companies producing the system.