dentalblogs.com

The following guidelines are from Lorne Lavine at the Digital Dentist [1]
Here are some basic guidelines to follow for choosing a monitor for the dental operatory:
All LCD monitors have a “native” resolution, the resolution at which they should be run. As the size of the monitor goes up, so does the resolution…but this often will lead to smaller icons on the screen. Most offices in 2006 are using 19″ monitors for the patient and 17″ for the doctor/assistant.
One of the important criteria for choosing a monitor for digital radiography is the contrast ratio, which is the difference between the lightest white and the darkest black. This is obviously important for viewing digital radiographs and diagnosing caries. Look for a minimum 500:1 or greater contrast ratio; many of the better monitors out there are 600:1 to 1000:1.
If you plan to mount the monitor to an arm, you’re going to want to try to use a monitor that doesn’t have a power “brick” in the middle of the cord, as the bricks will not fit inside the arm assembly.
The vast majority of offices are using two monitors in each operatory, one for the patient, and one for the doctor/assistant. Any HIPAA-sensitive information (your schedule with the patient names, for example) must stay on a rear monitor where the patients cannot see it.
When planning for monitor placement, ergonomics are the key. Think about where the monitor is located and how you turn your head or neck to view it, as this can cause some long-term problems. For example, if you plan to mount a monitor to the ceiling, this would be for patient use only, since you’d have to stretch your neck up to view the screen.
  A Few Good Options
Monitor with no TV or speakers: Dell 1707 and 1907.  None of the Dell monitors have speakers, so if you need sound, you’ll need the optional Sound Bar.
Monitor with TV: Samsung 940MW.  Another option is the Planar XP17W.
“Medical Grade” Monitor: Many offices want a monitor they can wipe down. I love the Exorvision monitors as not only are they fluid-impervious, but they are touchscreen and have TV tuners as an option.
  

[1] http://www.thedigitaldentist.com/

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Top 10 HDTVs – HP Pavilion LC3700N [1]
Click the link above for PC Magazines list with photos etc of the Top 10 HDTVs

[1] http://www.pcmag.com/multimedia/0,2591,pl=2&t=Top+10+HDTVs&i=1,00.asp

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The following budget suggestions come from Sally McKenzie [1] 
Without a budget, the cash outlay for technology can quickly become overwhelming for the doctor and the practice. But how much is enough? I recommend that practices set aside about 5% of their annual gross revenues for both business and clinical technology.
            On the business side, the typical budget would be about 1.5%. At that level, practices should be able to purchase the following:
              1.. New computer hardware every 36 to 48 months.
              2.. Practice management software, regular updates, and unlimited telephone support.
              3.. On-site professional technical hardware and network installation and maintenance.
              4.. A minimum of 16 hours of on-site software training annually.

[1] http://www.mckenziemgmt.com/

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According to the ADA the Las Vegas meeting was a big success, with total registration of 40,355, including 12,440 dentists. ADA06 drew 1,001 non-member dentists, which surpassed the 891 non-members who attended in 2005 in Philadelphia. Dentists from outside the US numbered 754, the highest in 10 years. Once again this meeting was the largest dental exhibition in the country, with more than 700 exhibiting companies.
 

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I think Cerec is a good choice. There has been talk for several years about competing can cam machines coming to the market. So far they have all been delayed for extended times. This tells me these developing systems don’t work that well. On the other hand Cerec has a long track record. And I think even more important Cerec has a very complete training system in place. This includes a number of private centers as well as the company training sites. The only problem I see with Cerec is the learning curve. To get a good ROI you need to use it often, in multiple units and efficiently. This takes some time to learn and takes a team commitment.
It is not on the web site yet however the developers at Cerec are talking about an improved system to create proper dental anatomy quickly. The system uses a kind of artificial intelligence to design advanced secondary anatomy quickly and accurately. Look for this upgrade early next year.

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A Smile
Costs nothing but creates much.
Enriches those who receive,Without impoverishing those who give.
Happens in a flashAnd the memory of it sometimes lasts forever.
None are so rich that they can get along without it,And none are so poor but are richer for a smile.
Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed or stolen,for it is something that is no earthly good to anyone until it is given away.

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Bellevue, Wash.-based Laplink boasts that PCmover gives users the ability to transfer software programs, including all of their files and settings, to another computer, by installing PCmover on both machines and making sure that they are connected through a LAN or a Laplink USB cable. Look here  Aiming for an Easy Move: Laplink Launches PCmover [1]  for the whole story

Bellevue, Wash.-based Laplink boasts that PCmover gives users the ability to transfer software programs, including all of their files and settings, to another computer, by installing PCmover on both machines and making sure that they are connected through a LAN or a Laplink USB cable.

[1] http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,2048730,00.asp

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[1]Look at the main web site here [2] for an update on the JP Institute Mastership programs I will be presenting; starting in January. I have great respect for Jan and Peggy the founders of JP and I am excited about working with them. These programs are designed to elevate every member of the dental team with specific skills that will blend together to make a true Dream Team. Team members and doctors who successfully complete the program will receive a mastership certificate.
A limited number of tuition scholarships are available. For information and to see if you qualify call the JP Institute at (800) 946–4944

[1] http://jpconsultants.com/
[2] http://www.drlarryemmott.com/

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Viruslist.com – Online Scanner Top Twenty for October 2006 [1]
Check this link for a list of the most prevelant computer viruses and other malware.

[1] http://www.viruslist.com/en/analysis?pubid=204791906

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