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The critical question, “Who owns the data?” the only acceptable answer is the dentist owns the data. However that also means the dentist must be able to exercise the usual functions of ownership. Only the dentist can decide who has access to the data. And the dentist can decide to take the data somewhere else at any time. And the data must be available in a readily transferable and accessible format, not a proprietary format only the Practice Management Program can use. Currently acceptable data base formats would be any fully relational data base such as SQL or Oracle. All the vendors will readily agree that the dentist owns the data, at the same time they often create obstacles in the form of proprietary file formats, (That’s the three or four letters after the period in a file name, such as .jpg for a photo) selected data base structures which don’t allow access to some data elements and data files which can not be identified with out using the original software. Any dentist who has tried to switch from one computer program to another knows it is difficult or impossible to get all the data transferred.

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Most high quality hardware is extremely reliable and will give years of service. When a computer or a computer component stops working the first things to check are low tech. Check to see that the connections are secure. Is the mouse plugged in? Is the power cord tight? Is it plugged into the wall? Is the power Strip or UPS turned on? Is the network connection tight? Is the network switch plugged in and working? And most commonly are the batteries good?
If all the basic low tech items check out next try and replace the non working component to see if that’s the problem. Try another mouse, change the keyboard or replace the monitor.
At this point it is time to call the technician. If a mission critical piece of dental equipment fails, such as your compressor or central vac most dentists have a local repair technician they can rely on to get them back in business very quickly with a repair or loaner equipment. You need to develop the same type of relationship with a local computer technician. If a mission critical computer component fails your local computer tech should have you up and running the same day. If the vendor doesn’t provide this kind of service and reliability, fire them.

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If you have a great handpiece does that make you a great dentist? Of course not you need to know how to use it; you need to be a master clinician you need the hands of a master. The same is true with technology, just having a great technology system isn’t enough you need to know how to use it; you need to be a technology master.
Training must be ongoing, it isn’t good enough to have a half day session the day before you activate a computer program and then forget it. Ongoing training is important for new staff members, learning new updates, cross training and complete use of any program. The most important staff person who must be trained in the use of a computer is often neglected, the doctor. The more the doctor knows about the computer and the programs in the office the more maven protection he/she will have.
How technology is used is a fundamental element in determining the nature of a dental practice. Using technology is not just a business task it is a leadership task. In order to provide leadership the dentist must understand how technology will work in the office, create a vision of the office and inspire others to follow.

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What is VPN? – A Word Definition From the Webopedia Computer Dictionary [1]

VPN
(pronounced as separate letters) Short for virtual private network, a network that is constructed by using public wires to connect nodes. For example, there are a number of systems that enable you to create networks using the Internet as the medium for transporting data. These systems use encryption and other security mechanisms to ensure that only authorized users can access the network and that the data cannot be intercepted.
I have installed a VPN from home to office. It takes the place of old dial up connections, is very fast and secure. You can use a VPN to telecommute. That is review charts, write notes, develop treatment plans, or check your finances. You can also use it to connect to a patient chart and even make an appointment when you have an emergency. Another use is for backup. That is you can make a backup copy of all your essential data from the office to your home computer.

[1] http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/V/VPN.html

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1. T0o0p hqa5rxd 6tt0[o 6ty[p3e 2w9igtjh ;pa3wds ( Too hard to type with paws)2. Fire hydrant icon simply frustrating.3. Can’t help attacking the screen when he hears, “you’ve got mail.”
 

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       Before                                           After

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Read the whole article here How to Buy a Plasma TV [1] from PC Magazine

How to Buy a Plasma TV
Everyone loves a thin TV with a huge screen. I’ll show you how to find a plasma display with a picture that looks as good as the set it comes on. By Robert Heron

Pioneer Electronics offered the first plasma display panel to consumers in 1997, and the public immediately embraced the idea of owning a thin and flat television that you could literally hang on a wall. Prices for plasma TVs have reached a historic low, and for larger screen sizes, plasma displays offer the best value among thin and flat televisions. They are an ideal choice for quality home-theater viewing, and selecting the right one is a matter of understanding your needs and staying within your budget.
Modern plasma displays are capable of producing very dark blacks, making them well suited for viewing in dimly lit environments. They also excel at handling video containing quick motion. For sports and action-movie fans, there is no better flat-panel display technology available today.

[1] http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,1944452,00.asp

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Information from TAP, Tel-A-Patient – [1]

THE ALTERNATIVES to MESSAGES ON HOLD
Silence – It isn’t Golden. According to AT&T, the number one complaint about phone systems are busy signals. The number two complaint is “silence-on-hold, because people say they feel “ignored””. You don’t ignore patients while they’re in your office so why would you allow them to feel ignored on-hold?Don’t Kid Yourself – Savvy Doctors and staff know that hold time is a fact of life. Patients call with questions that involve pulling a chart, looking up insurance information, checking a billing statement or asking the back office a question. Your staff puts those callers on-hold. Use that time to provide information about your practice and your services. Keep in mind seven of the top ten criteria patients use to choose a Doctor have nothing to do with your technical skills, it’s based on how patients feel they’re treated. They want to be treated in a warm and personal way. And that’s what Tel-A-Patient does.Music – Sales & Marketing Management Magazine asked its readers, “when you’re on-hold what do you want to hear?” 88% said they prefer hearing messages to music – 15 to 20% say they do something positive with the information they’re given. When people call you, they have questions and want answers. Why not give them a variety of commercial free music and answers to some of their questions while on hold. Tel-A-Patient Messages – If you ever wondered what patients know about you, according to Stanford Research (SRI), they don’t know much. SRI studies show that at least half of your new patients are coming to you from word of mouth. Yet, the average patient in your practice can’t name three services you offer.Buyers Guide – Generic, pre-recorded messages make you sound impersonal, clinical and canned. When it comes to On-Hold messages, it’s about quality. You want a message to be in your words; warm, personal and caring; Insist on being interviewed. Answering a questionnaire won’t create messages that sound like you. Tape Recorders and CD players are out! They have moving parts that wear out under the strain of continuous play. A digital system has no moving parts. Computers are overkill, on-hold messages don’t belong on your computer and you certainly don’t want to use up precious hard drive space storing large audio files.
Digital is what you want. Tel-A-Patient Builds the #1 Digital On-Hold System available.
I have been an enthusiastic Tel a Patient client for many years. They have provided superior service, the patient’s appreciate the service and it adds to our high tech image.

[1] http://www.telapatient.com/moh.html

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Vista is the newest version of Windows. It has been delayed several times but us supposed to be available late this year. Here is a preview of some new features;
Windows Vista, has some familiar elements such as the Start menu and taskbar shown here;   Windows Vista  improves how you use file folders. For example, Windows Vista uses Live Icons, which show you the actual content of each file so you can quickly locate the information that you want. 
    Vista also makes it easy to change the way these Live Icons are displayed. By dragging this slider up or down, you can dynamically resize the icon. 
 The large, vivid icons available in Windows Vista show a striking level of detail, making it easy to identify the exact file you need.
 

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See Dale’s complete website here: LearnDigital.. [1]

Wow! The best LCD, medical grade monitor I’ve come across so far! A new company to the United States, ExorVision, has configured a touchscreen, flat panel monitor with a disinfectable, glass front and excellent response time. And, it has the characteristics that I’ve written about to make your x-ray (grayscale) images look their best! Check out our information, their web site at www.exorvision.com or contact the agent, Ms. Reying Huslid, directly.

[1] http://www.learndigital.net/

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