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Entries from March 2007

G-2 ROCKS

March 27th, 2007 · No Comments

We had a day and a half of advanced training on Dentrix G-2 last week. It is awesome. Most of the significant changes are in the chart module. This is a great start but what I find just as exciting is that this change will open up the future to changes in schedule and the other modules which will make the whole program even better.
The most obvious change is in the look. However there are many internal changes which will make charting and note taking much more efficient. For example it is now possible to make chart notes using a decision tree that guides you through the note process with options for each essential item.
The treatment planning and presenter operations are completely upgraded and add a lot of advanced features, including automatic integration with patient ed images.
My biggest complaint is the financial presentation. It is labeled Insurance Information…wait, what if the patient has no insurance? Or better yet what if I don’t want to present based on insurance?
Another pet peeve…several places refer to a provider. That is an insurance term and one I find insulting. We are not providers we are dentists or doctors or professionals.
Those items aside G-2 is a powerful upgrade that all Dentrix users will find extremely useful in creating a truly paperless record.

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Tags: Just for Fun

Vista and the Six-Six Rule

March 10th, 2007 · No Comments

Windows Vista has been released to mixed reviews. So far there are problems with Vista and several dental products. I suggest you follow the six-six rule with any new upgrade (especially a major change from Microsoft).
That is: do not attempt to use a new upgrade for six months and until you know six others who are using it successfully.

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Tags: Just for Fun

Florida Probe Video

March 10th, 2007 · No Comments

[1]Look Here [2] for a new video describing the use and advantages of the Florida Probe

[1] http://floridaprobe.com/
[2] http://floridaprobe.com/

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Tags: Diagnostics

AADPA on Camelback

March 7th, 2007 · No Comments

Here is a photo of a bunch of dentists and related others who climbed to the top of Camelback Mountain as part of the American Academy of Dental Practice Administration (AADPA) [1] annual meeting.

The participants received a “Peak Achiever” T-Shirt !

[1] http://aadpa.org/

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Tags: Just for Fun

CMS Velocity2 RAID Backup System

March 6th, 2007 · No Comments

CMS Velocity2 RAID Backup System – Review by PC Magazine [1]
It’s a matter of time before the drive(s) in your mission-critical desktop or workstation fail. The Velocity2 RAID Backup System is a “belt and suspenders” type of backup drive, but if you’re the kind of user who regularly burns out hard drives, it’s the drive you’re looking for.
Blazingly fast drive transfer. RAID 0, 1, JBOD, single-volume compliant. Relatively quiet. User-serviceable drives. Uses standard SATA drives as replacements. Includes comprehensive backup utility. Compact chassis. Quick and easy to configure. Tool-less drive replacement.
Quite pricey on a per-GB basis.
This system in PC Magazine could be a great security system for a dental office. It is a bit expensive, the 500GB version goes for about $1,100. However that is still a lot less than the $4,000 RAID V systems many vendors want to sell us. Follow the link for details including a photo, it looks like a space age toaster.

[1] http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,2097733,00.asp

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Tags: Hardware · Security

Get the Most from your Technology

March 6th, 2007 · No Comments

 Two things are required to help an office get the most out new technology. First the dentist must be involved and committed to the process. It is amazing how many dentists do not want to have anything to do with the computer. In fact some of them seem to be actively hostile. The dentist will never get the full benefit of the system unless they take the lead and actively use the computer. The improvements in office efficiency and the benefits from easy access to practice and financial data will easily pay for the system and ultimately increase office income. However it is unbelievable how many dentists not only don’t use the system but actively undermine office productivity by refusing to use the systems they have paid for. For example, some offices use the scheduler but still keep a paper book. That is absurd…burn the book.
Once the dentist is committed the next step is to get the staff involved and learn to use the whole system. One good way to do this is to develop a series of goals and rewards. Another means is to plan continued training on a regular basis. Some really motivated offices may want to try and do everything all at once but this can also cause problems. People and groups can only accept so much change at once. If you try and force things too quickly you may burn people out, indirectly sabotage your plans and lose staff members. Another common problem is people who want to read the entire manual and know it all before they start. Computer programs really don’t work that way. Some basic training and understanding of the software is required but the best way to really learn a complex software program is to use it.

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Tags: Administrative · Just for Fun

Sensor Prices Coming Down?

March 6th, 2007 · No Comments

Prices have been going up not down. The economies of scale which have driven down the price of many high tech products simply do not apply to digital x-rays. There is no general consumer demand outside of dentistry. The market is limited, and the cost of development, service and support is very high.

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Tags: Radiography

Photos and X-Rays

March 6th, 2007 · No Comments

We mentally distinguish between two image types, radiographs and photographs. However in many ways there is really no difference as far as the computer is concerned. Just as a 35mm color slide and an x-ray transparency are different versions of the same photographic technology a digital color image and a digital x-ray are different versions of the same digital technology. The primary difference is the wavelength of the EM energy and in how the image is acquired. Yet once it is digitized the computer software needed to work with either an x-ray or visible light image is really the same.

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Tags: Cameras · Radiography

Three Tips if Things go Wrong

March 6th, 2007 · No Comments

1. Update your system.Make sure that you are using the latest drivers for your hardware-and that you’ve installed all the Windows Updates-and check for updates to any applications you use, especially any that seem to be related to your current computer problem. Microsoft is always updating Windows with minor patches and bug fixes. Depending on whether you use Windows Automatic Updates, keeping the OS up to date may require some diligence on your part. In Windows XP, select Start | All Programs | Windows Update. (Other programs will often include update options on their Help or File menus.)
2. Check your connections.This may sound obvious, but check all the cables to make sure they are plugged in securely. Don’t ignore this step. USB, printer, and serial cables have a way of working themselves loose and causing problems. Also make sure all the boards are seated properly and the cables connected inside your PC. If you get a beeping tone when you boot, and no video, start by opening the machine and reseating the graphics board in its slot.
3. Reboot.Windows sometimes gets into a confused or panic state, and by simply rebooting you can clear the memory and set things straight. Similarly, if you’re having a problem connecting to the Internet, try rebooting your cable/DSL modem and router by unplugging and replugging them. But this isn’t something you should have to do often. If you find yourself rebooting your router once a day, the problem is a bit deeper.

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Tags: Hardware · Just for Fun · Security

Ivoclar Navigator Laser

March 6th, 2007 · No Comments

Ivoclar introduced a redesigned diode laser at the Chicago meeting called the Navigator. It is 3 Watts and completely portable. It has a battery which is charged in a docking cradle and even uses a wireless foot control.
Another new innovation is a unidose disposable tip. This eliminates the need to cleave the fiber after every use. I have been using a diode for seven years and could not practice without it. The biggest hassle has been portability and fiber control. This new product looks like it has eliminated those concerns.
I could not find the Navigator on the Ivoclar web site. Hopefully it will be up soon.

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Tags: Just for Fun