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Entries from November 2007

New Year’s Resolution

November 30th, 2007 · Comments Off on New Year’s Resolution

I caught a nasty case of strep last week and was sick for two days. I’m normally a very healthy man, so I wondered what would happen to my practice if I became disabled? As a new year’s resolution, I challenge you to do what I did – check your disability, overhead, and life insurance […]

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Tags: Uncategorized

International News: Duerr’s “Vista” Products – from cameras to x-rays

November 30th, 2007 · Comments Off on International News: Duerr’s “Vista” Products – from cameras to x-rays

Duerr, a UK company, offers a full selection of digital tools to enhance the dentist-patient relationship and increase accurate diagnoses. The VistaCam, and intraoral camera, VistaScan, an image plate scanner, and VistaRay, a compact X-ray machine, round out this company’s repertoire of digital tools. According to DentalNews.com, "Duerr Dental has set the standard in this […]

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Tags: Digital Radiography · Uncategorized

MID: Minimally Invasive Dentistry

November 29th, 2007 · Comments Off on MID: Minimally Invasive Dentistry

You can allay patients’ fear and discomfort while increasing clinical precision, with minimally invasive dentistry. November’s Dental Products Review features an article by Dr. Joseph Whitehouse entitled, "Think Minimally Invasive." Dr. Whitehouse begins by explaining the warm fuzzies that are important for communication between staff and patients, but I was more interested in the technology. […]

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Tags: Technology · Uncategorized

General Rules for Self Etch and Total Etch Dental Adhesives

November 28th, 2007 · Comments Off on General Rules for Self Etch and Total Etch Dental Adhesives

Self-etching adhesive materials are very popular right now. They don’t require use of phosphoric acid prior to placement of a direct resin or indirect restoration. However, self-etch products are not as technique sensitive; their binding strength is lower. They are fine for a restoration with a lot of built-in retention and resistance form. Self-etch systems […]

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Tags: Uncategorized

Patients Flying the Coop for Cheap Dentistry

November 28th, 2007 · Comments Off on Patients Flying the Coop for Cheap Dentistry

It’s not news, but more and more Americans are seeking healthcare and dentistry overseas because of inexpensive care. Last year, the ADA published an article about dental tourism, and the media has not decreased since then. While we would all like to think that seeking medical or dental care in third-world countries is a huge […]

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Tags: News · Uncategorized

Dual Entry

November 27th, 2007 · No Comments

A simple and inexpensive, yet very powerful component to effective use of technology in the treatment room is multiple inputs. Input refers to any device, which allows the user to access the computer. The most common input devices are a keyboard and mouse. However there are other options as well such as light pens, touch pads, track balls, pen tablets, mini keyboards, voice and even bar code scanners.
When we first moved computers to the back we used the desktop model and had a single data entry point with a keyboard and mouse on the assistant’s side. As we developed the electronic chart and started using digital radiology, computerized notes, digital imaging and patient education we soon discovered we needed more input access.
For example, if the doctor wanted to view or manipulate a certain x-ray he would have to ask the assistant to bring it up on the screen and then manipulate it. As you can imagine this was a problem and ended up taking two people to do the job of one in a pretty ineffective manner. The same problem occurred with chart information. If the dentist wanted to read the previous appointment notes or review the treatment plan he had to ask the assistant, in front of the patient, to do it for him. Or worse yet he had to get up and move to the other side of the room, break asepsis, and do it, again in an ineffective manner.
The solution was a second input device on the doctor’s side of the room. This can be any type of input; we used a pen and tablet, a touch pad and even a wireless infrared keyboard. However we found what really worked well was a simple mouse.
In recent years the introduction of inexpensive and reliable wireless mice and keyboards has made this easier to accomplish.

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Tags: Hardware · Office Design

New Patent on Ortho Implant Device

November 27th, 2007 · Comments Off on New Patent on Ortho Implant Device

Mid-month, FreshPatents.com announced that Oscar Olavarria Landa has patented a "system and process for three dimensional teeth movements using a spring retained device attached to an orthodontic micro implant." So what does that mean for orthodontists, GPs who do orthodontics, and patients? First, I’ll describe the device. It consists of what is called Orthodontic Micro […]

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Tags: Uncategorized

Ultra Small mini Computer

November 26th, 2007 · No Comments

I received an e-mail from Tom Block regarding a new ultra small computer he has been putting in dental offices. You can read what he has to say below and contact him at www.blockdata.net [1]

“These are awesome and very versatile machines, I think they will transform dental computing in the near future. We have them installed in four different offices to date and our clients love the size and mounting options.  Plus they are just plain cool (literally) at 95 Watts.
We did a show special featuring the 945-D with slot loading DVD-RW, Intel 2.0GHz Core 2 Duo CPU 667MHz FSB, Intel 945 Chipset, 2GB DDR-2 SODIMM 667MHz RAM, 80GB HDD, and XP Pro for $999.00.”
 

 

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

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Tags: Hardware · Office Design

11 Ways to Search Without Google – Reviews by PC Magazine

November 26th, 2007 · No Comments

Hooked on the G-rock? Here are a few ways to break your Google addiction and still find exactly what you need. by Kyle Monson
As of this writing, Google doesn’t own the whole world. But it does have a solid lock on our browsing habits. …..
Depending on who you ask, Google accounts for between 40 and 50-something percent of the search engine market (add in Yahoo and MSN and the figure jumps to around 90 percent). And rightly so—the service gives speedy results and has a very good user interface.
But don’t you ever want to try a different search engine, just to see where it takes you? After all, Google’s search results are based on relevance and popularity, so scrolling through Google results isn’t the best way to get off the beaten path and discover new Web territory.
11 Ways to Search Without Google – Reviews by PC Magazine [1].

[1] http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,2115492,00.asp

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Tags: Websites & Internet

Paperless Digital Charting

November 26th, 2007 · No Comments

Good charting software has many features. One of the most important is that is eliminates all paper. That means the software must accommodate all the bits of paper data we stuff in a chart and it must have a method of importing virtually anything either with a scanner or file import function. If some bit of paper possibly a lab slip or patient letter must be stored in a folder then you have lost one of the primary benefits of an electronic chart.
Another important feature is full integration. That means that each item is entered one time and then transfers to where ever else it is needed electronically. For example a procedure will progress from diagnosis to charting to treatment planning to scheduling to treatment to insurance to payment. This is called single entry. If the user has to re-enter information such as procedure codes, tooth numbers or fees at any stage then the software is not fully integrated.
Good charting software must accommodate all the information we used to record on paper. That includes existing restorations, conditions, diagnostic findings, treatment plans, periodontal probings and tissue conditions, tooth surfaces, materials and procedure notes.
Charting software must be easy to use. Every mouse click or keystroke slows down the process and makes the program harder to use, which means it doesn’t get used. The more the user can customize the chart the easier it is to use. That means the user can create shortcuts, eliminate features they don’t use and designate functions for each button.
Data entry needs to be fast and easy. The standard is still mouse clicks and keystrokes however faster more intuitive entry methods are available. Like voice; we’d all like to talk to our computer just like Star Trek. Some charting programs allow users to speak in clinical findings like pocket depths, tooth conditions and restorations. Another alternative entry is touch, instead of clicking a mouse the user touches the screen. Another option available on Tablet PCs is “Ink” a special function that allows users to write or draw on the chart just as if it was a piece of paper.

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Tags: Paperless Office · Software