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CDEN0310

I 15 clinical report _ imaging I cosmeticdentistry 3_2010 analogue,whichcameonacartwithavideoprinter andmonitor.Whendigitalradiologywasfirstintro- duced, it too came on a cart with a PC, monitor and thermal printer; shortly after that you were able to link the intra-oral camera to the same PC as the digital radiology system. This evolved further by putting PCs in all the operatories so that you could eliminate the carts for image acquisition and make room for the lasers and CAD/CAM applications, which also came on wheels. We have worked with numerousdigitalradiologysystems:SchickTechnol- ogies, DENTSPLY NI-DX (no longer available), Welch Allyn Reveal sensor (no longer available), Gendex DentalSystems,Planmecasensors,DMDsensors(no longer available) and Myray X-pod wireless sensor (Cefla Dental Group). Having multiple sensor sys- temshasitscomplicationsanditismostefficientto use whatever sensor systems integrates best and seamlessly with your dental software program. It is a fair description that the ideal technology- focused dental office is one that is in a perpetual state of change. The continuous flow of evolving applications makes it essential that all systems are designed to be sufficiently flexible to allow future integrationwithminimalinterruption.Onethingthat we must remember is that we are in the business of providingoralhealthcare,andtechnologyshouldbe incorporated if it helps us better serve our patients. _The World Wide Web In today’s economy, we have to assume a more globalperspectiveoftheimpactofdigitalimagingon yourpractice.Wehavetorealisethatevenbeforeyour patientmakesthatfirstcallforanappointment,their decision was probably influenced by the Internet. Dental consumers are using the Internet in greater numbers to find the right fit for their dental and medical needs. So a web presence is becoming a key component for attracting and keeping your patients. Once the patient has selected your office, every- thingthattheyexperiencewillbemeasuredbytheir expectations. It seems that today’s society, espe- cially those under forty, is always connected and in search of the immediate gratification of needs and wants. Technology is a tool that can facilitate meeting those expectations. _Attracting new patients The Internet has changed the way we use images and information. Years ago, we would work with a marketing company to produce a practice brochure with some direct mail pieces. The process would take monthstocreateandimplement,thedownsidetothis approachisthatitiscostlyandnoteasilyamenableto changes.Intoday’sInternetage,wecanlaunchasim- ple website in hours and make changes whenever we needto.Itisimportanttounderstandthisnewmedium because creating a website that is not interactive is in somecasesworsethannowebsiteatall.Wehaveonly a matter of seconds to attract and keep someone’s attention,andifwedonothavesomethingtoaddress theiragenda,theymoveontothenextsite.Sowebsite optimisationisactuallymoreimportantthancreating abeautifulsitewithanimationandflashfeaturesthat donotaddressthewantsofyourpotentialclients. There are numerous companies that have been helpingdentistsnavigatethesewaterssuccessfully. Fig. 3b Fig. 2a_iPhone application for Lighthouse PLZ. Fig. 2b_Patient history screen on phone through Lighthouse PLZ. Fig. 3a_Initial digital photograph series. Fig. 3b_Initial full series of digital X-rays. Fig. 2a Fig. 2b Fig. 3a