Using DigiDOT Device

Purpose

Use DigiDOT Device only for a concrete dental device that must be retained and referenced as its own FHIR resource. It is optional: do not create a Device resource merely because a procedure code or a SNOMED CT expression names a generic type of equipment or material.

The profile supports two contexts:

• a patient-associated device, such as an implant, prosthesis or orthodontic appliance; use Device.patient when known
• a clinically or traceability-relevant equipment instance recorded by the source; use Device.owner and/or Device.location when known

Device.type is required. Use an agreed SNOMED CT device concept where available. The current DigiDOT Device Type ValueSet is extensible and remains subject to terminology review.

Relationship to Procedure

Use the two Procedure references for different meanings:

Procedure element	Use
focalDevice.manipulated	The procedure implants, removes or otherwise manipulates the Device itself. Example: placement of a dental implant.
usedReference	The Device is used during the procedure and its concrete identity is clinically or traceability-relevant. Example: a source-recorded imaging or treatment device.

Do not put the same relationship in both elements. Procedure.code and optional SCTpost describe the clinical action and may describe a device type. A Device reference identifies a particular resource instance, such as a device with an identifier, serial number, UDI or recorded ownership.

Source population

Device is optional in an individual procedure. When a source EHR records a concrete device and the relationship maps faithfully, the implementation shall preserve the Device and the relevant Procedure reference. Do not invent a Device identifier or create a device resource for ordinary equipment that the source does not identify.

Material, medication-product and consumable traceability are not represented through Procedure.usedReference or usedCode in the current draft. They require a separate agreed model.

Example

Dental implant placement demonstrates both relationships: the implant is referenced through Procedure.focalDevice.manipulated, and a patient-specific surgical guide is referenced through Procedure.usedReference.