Technology

As we get closer to the end of the year, dentists often ask about how major technology purchases will impact their taxes. Applications such as lasers, CAD/CAM restoration systems, digital and cone beam radiology are large investments, and dentists who work closely with their CPAs can strategize to maximize the tax benefits of purchasing them. Capitalizing on Section 179

When I recently came across a graphic clearly illustrating the rapid pace of computer technology’s twin progressions of increasing power and decreasing size, it sparked an image in my head of where all this could lead and ways the even more powerful and compact computers of the not-too-distant future computers might be put to use.

Did you know Christopher Columbus didn’t really prove the Earth was round? It was actually the ancient Greeks in about 6 B.C. This is such a common misconception, that in 1945 the “Myth of the Flat Earth” was listed in a pamphlet produced by the Historical Association of Britain as being the No. 2 most common error in history.

June 4, 2010 | dentalproductsreport.com Photo: Getty Images/Don Farrall

I think if you asked 100 dentists to make a list of their biggest problems and concerns they have for their practices, “staffing” and “scheduling” would be ranked pretty close to the top. Finding and keeping good employees has traditionally been difficult in dentistry and the current economic conditions have created problems from a scheduling standpoint for many offices.

We’ve continued to see the evolution of the dental handpiece in the last few years. First it was the arrival of ProDrive and the turbine replacement system that uses a triangular chuck and a triangular bur shank to increase efficiency of the cut as well as the quality of the marginal preparation.

You know how important it is for lab technicians to be involved from the beginning. The more the lab technician knows and the more input he or she can provide the clinician early on, the better the outcome for the patient. After all, you are the one creating the restorations, the restorations patients are depending on to transform their smile.

The potential for new design and production technologies to reshape the dental laboratory industry is certainly real. When combined with developments in materials, new technologies can be leveraged to increase capacity, achieve efficiencies and even increase the accuracy of the restorations fabricated by American dental laboratories.

The set-up “The first time a network was installed in my office, I was forced to do it myself. Imagine crawling through the ceiling with computer cabling clenched between your teeth. Sound fun? It wasn’t. When I built my new facility 2 years ago, I called in the professionals. The IT department at my dealer, Goetze Dental, made the process easy. We worked together and planned the whole thing from concept to realization. It was a geek’s dream.

November 2010 | Dental Lab Products It’s not quite as light as the element from which it draws its name, but the latest iterations of Apple’s ultra-trim MacBook Air are getting mighty close.

Making your practice greener will do more than help save the planet. When properly implemented, a green office will save you money, make your office more efficient and make your patient data more secure. The biggest impacts in dental practice efficiency are achieved by going paperless. Here are a few tips you can use on your quest for a green office: Cord costs

On July 9, the Advanced Technology Center opened their doors to a new teaching center in Burbank, California. The center celebrates their technology inspired  approach to continuing education with a unique learning experience. ATC’S education center is progressive, and unbiased. Since its opening on July 9, the center has become a reputable place for professionals to further their knowledge of the dental industry. The center provides people with an intimate setting to learn about the latest in dentistry and its place in improving the standard of care.

The SideKick MP multi-platform customized patient education program includes a full load of procedure illustrations and a Smile Imaging module. The Movie module allows continuous play looping of movies. It also can help track what you show to patients and has the ability to e-mail whatever they saw chairside.

I am always amused by the fact that we call ourselves Dental Technicians, our field Dental Technology and yet in some ways many of us are reluctant to use newer technologies to improve the productivity of our dental laboratories. Perhaps an even larger problem is under using technologies.

As the push for digital patient records continues, more and more offices are embracing the concept of truly chartless technology. Once the infrastructure is in place, moving forward into chartless is easy, but some offices are concerned about the availability of radiographs that are still stored in their older analog charts. Although it isn’t necessary to convert all of your old paper records to digital charts, in some instances the doctor prefers having access to that information.

Dental assistant tops the list as the best job for people under 25 years old. Entailing the preparation of dental patients and dental equipment and keeping track of inventory and medical records, the position is expected to grow 35.7% and has 16,100 openings each year.

As doctors we are responsible for a myriad of things. Our professional lives are frequently divided between providing the best care possible, continuing education, staff management, facilities management, payroll, and don’t forget managing our practices as a business.

THE SET-UP

DENTSPLY Caulk TPH3 Using Micro Matrix Technology-which blends nanotechnology with proprietary synergistic fillers in a clinically proven resin matrix­-TPH3 restorative is said to offer optimal handling, durability and esthetics. Exhibiting exceptional surface luster, the material features creamy, non-sticky handling, strong and balanced physical properties, as well as reported lifelike light refraction and color absorption. Available in syringe and Compule Tips delivery system, the material is suited for use in all cavity classes making it ideal for anterior and posterior restorations.

In case your missed it, this adhesive dentistry thing is starting to catch on. Of course I’m kidding, but when was the last time you heard “bonding doesn’t work?” Adhesive dentistry has pretty much become the gold standard these days with many of us not even sure of the last time we placed a restoration that wasn’t bonded into place. However, like everything else in dentistry, attention to detail is paramount in the recipe to ensure the longevity of bonded restorations.

This service not only rapidly builds new patients, but assists practices in pleasing existing ones. Works with Google’s new mobile SEO to help put your practice ahead of your competitors.

OK, what is an e-service? Remember when e was just a letter? Well now it stands for “electronic” and anything e like e-mail or e–commerce is electronic mail or electronic commerce. But in practice it usually means a service that is not just electronic but it is online. Often as it becomes an e and goes online the “whatever” migrates from being a product to a service. From physical to e

Patterson Companies, Inc. celebrated the grand opening of its new Patterson Technology Center (PTC) October 27 in Effingham, Ill. The 100,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility reinforces the Company’s commitment to technology and customer support – and to being a differentiator for dental practices that partner with Patterson Dental for their software and technology needs.

Despite well-publicized reception issues, more than 1.7 million people purchased Apple's iPhone 4 in the first three days it was available.      Getting started on this Tech Smart column has been difficult because I’m finding it hard to pull myself away from the captivating and remarkably crisp screen of my one-day-old iPhone 4.

Wayne Gretsky once said, “You’ll always miss 100% of the shots you do not take.” Rather than avoid new technology altogether, it is critical to think strategically about costs and benefits so that when you do purchase that next piece of equipment, you’re sure to score on at least some of your ROI goals. Can I expect a return of three to 10 times the cost of my purchase? Will me and my team be more efficient or balanced in our work?

DPR Technology Editor Dr. John Flucke is lucky enough to try numerous products out in his operatories. Here are five he put to work in 2011 that left a lasting impression on him and have the potential to help just about any practice.

One of the major situations we face in performing treatment to the best of our ability is gathering data. Let’s face it, getting as much information together as possible before you start treatment just makes things easier and more predictable.

our goal is to be totally paperless by 2012, and to get that accomplished we knew we needed to convert to digital x-rays. XLDent was able to provide the digital x-rays and other things we needed to benefit our practice. They’ve been wonderful in helping us get to where we want to be. We’re not 100% paperless yet as we still use paper charts on a minimal basis, but otherwise we’re pretty much all the way there.

It never fails to amaze me how many dentists have purchased “stuff” for their practice, only to have an important piece of “must-have” technology gathering dust several weeks (or months) later for lack of use. Even in this challenging economy technology purchases are still being made, although many dentists and teams appear much more cynical when it comes to silver bullet promises or fairy tale hopes for results.