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The Remarkable Story of Dr. Tuyen Nguyen

When you visit Dr. Tuyen Nguyen’s state-of-the-art dental practice in Rush City, Minnesota, you cannot help but be inspired by his story. Dr. Nguyen migrated from Vietnam to start his version of The American Dream. Dr. Nguyen’s story inspires anyone to believe that if they dream big, put in long hours of work and never give up, they too can live the life they’ve always hoped for.

Born towards the end of the Vietnam War, Dr. Nguyen, grew up when the Communists took over the country. They rigorously enforced their system upon the people and punished anyone who got in their way. Any form of money or power was considered a sin. People went so far as to throw money in the river so that they could avoid being punished.

Dr. Nguyen came from a family who valued skills and education. His parents worked very hard to become schoolteachers to earn a good living. After the Communists took over, his parents were only making ends meet. To increase their income, Dr. Nguyen’s mom ran many businesses from their home. She purchased peanuts in bulk, processed them, added value, and then sold them. She did the same with other items like oil, sugar, and rice. Later, she started a sewing business to make clothing for exporting companies.

Dr. Nguyen helped out in the family businesses. But he was a determined young man who had the desire to better his circumstances in life. Dr. Nguyen rode a bicycle 20 miles three times a week in order to complete a preparatory course for a Vietnam college entrance exam. Later, he found out that he did not qualify to get into medical school. Dr. Nguyen did, however, get into a physician assistant program. After three long years of training, he qualified for a physician assistant job, which paid $25 a month. Dr. Nguyen could of qualified for a job that paid $50-100 a month if he went to medical school. He decided to go back to Biên Hòaorked to work for his mother’s at-home banking business. Dr. Nguyen told himself that he would one day board a plane and leave for a foreign country where he would get a better education.

His dreams of a better education finally became a reality when Dr. Nguyen found a way to migrate to the United States. He left Vietnam, traveled to the Philippines in 1992 and moved to the United States in 1993. He started his education in the U.S. at a community college. Dr. Nguyen considered nursing, teaching, business, and being a hygienist as possible career paths. Eventually, he decided he wanted to be an electrical technician. He made his way to Saint Paul College to gain the knowledge and skills he needed. Then one of his prime supporters convinced him that he was capable of doing more than engineering. Dr. Nguyen was encouraged by his peers to aim higher in the career field several times.

Dr. Nguyen completed dental school in 2002 and embarked on acquiring his own dental practice, a dream he had in 2005. Dr. Nguyen didn’t just want any regular dental practice. He wanted a comprehensive dental practice with the latest technology, such as 3D cone beam x-ray, hard and soft tissue laser and intraoral cameras. With the latest technology, he could leverage his newly acquired professional skills in order to offer the best service to his patients. That dream of a state-of-the-art dental practice saw the light of day in 2009 when he organized a grand opening for the revamped dental practice he bought years earlier.

Where is Dr. Nguyen now?

Today, Dr. Nguyen’s dental practice has 12 dental chairs, each with its own intraoral camera. He credits a combination of many investments such as the IRIS 2.0 Cameras made by Digital Doc, the facility, the proper number of team members to additional training. Training courses to better serve his patients with Implants, for example, IV sedation, sleep apnea. If you want to grow your production to over $1000 per hour, this list is a great place to start.

How can that be? Dr. Nguyen, explains that the cameras, for example, enable him to SHOW his patients that his dental practice is more thorough in its work when compared to the other dental offices. A new patient who comes in knowing that he or she has four cavities discovers from the images captured by the intraoral cameras that there are seven or eight cavities! By SHOWING the patients the extent of their dental problems instead of merely TELLING them, Dr. Nguyen proves the superiority of his services. Consequently, case acceptance rates have soared, along with his income.

Looking back to the $25 per month at a physician’s assistant back in Vietnam to $1,000 an hour. Dr. Nguyen is truly thankful for how far he has come and he encourages those in his field to go after what they want in life. If he could make it, you can make it too!

The Key to Modern Day Root Canals

The Key to Modern Day Root Canals

The modern dental patient expects their dental care provider to use the latest technology, deliver better outcomes, and be willing to schedule procedures at the convenience of the patient. Dental care providers are scrambling to improve the way they deliver their services in order to meet these expectations of their patients. This article discusses five essentials that can help to deliver modern-day root canals that meet all the expectations of patients.

XTG Handheld X-Ray

If you’ve used Digital Doc’s XTG Handheld X-ray, you’ll wonder how you managed to perform root canals in the past. This Xray2go allows you to remain in the operatory and take radiographic images of your patient while they are in the dental chair. Root canals are one of the procedures that patients don’t look forward to undergoing, but with this tool, you can increase the convenience factor for your patients because they don’t have to be shuffled to the radiology room and then back to complete their treatment.

The handheld x-ray also gives you high-quality images that can help you to deliver treatment outcomes that can only be dreamed about by those using the traditional x-ray machines.

An IRIS Intraoral Camera

While endodontists largely treat patients who have been referred by dentists, the records sent along with the referral may not provide an accurate depiction of the patient’s tooth before the root canal treatment is undertaken.

It is therefore helpful for you to have an intraoral camera like the IRIS USB 2.0 Chair Dental Camera so that you can take high-quality images to complement what has been captured by the XTG Handheld X-Ray.

Effective Communication

It is one thing to communicate, and it is another thing to communicate effectively. For example, you wouldn’t use the same diction that you use when communicating with a referring dentist to talk to a patient, would you?

It is important for you to communicate effectively with all parties, such as your patients, the specialists and referring dentists if you want to deliver better root canals.

Luckily, modern digital dentistry equipment like the LUM and XTG Handheld X-Ray make it possible for all parties to be on the same page. For instance, you can take images with your IRIS Intraoral camera and show the patient what exactly you are going to fix during the root canal treatment. The same images can be used if you need to communicate with referring dentists so that everyone is kept in the loop during each stage of the treatment.

Knowledgeable Staff

Another important factor for endodontists who wish to perform modern-day root canals that meet all the expectations of patients is knowledgeable staff. Your staff should be conversant with the workings of all your modern equipment, such as the Xray2go. They should also be familiar with how that equipment delivers outstanding outcomes for your patients.

Such mastery can only happen if you, the endodontist, set the example and arrange to have your staff trained each time you introduce new technology or methods of delivering patient care. Your staff will then convey their expertise to the patients, and the net result will be superior root canal outcomes when compared to other offices.

Once you have all the essential components above in place, there will be nothing standing in the way of delivering modern root canal treatments. As you may know, word of mouth spreads fast, so your practice will grow as a result of all the positive reviews made by any patient who undergoes root canal therapy at your office.

XTG Handheld X-Ray Shines During Dental Mission Trip

XTG Handheld X-Ray Shines During Dental Mission to Haiti

It is easy to take things for granted when you live in the developed world. We often forget about the struggles third world countries face, such as access to food, clean water, and shelter. These countries also have little or no access to basic dental care. So, the vast majority of the population are living a poor quality of life (severe pain, inability to eat properly, premature tooth loss, gum disease, etc.)

As a way of giving back to humanity, Dr. Chris Hansen of Two Rivers Family Dental and a team of dental professionals went on a mission to Los Cacaos, a remote part of Haiti, for 10 days. Their mission was to provide free dental services to people from the villagers in Los Cacaos and the surrounding areas. Dr. Hansen and his team set off on February 14 determined to do what they could to ease the pain and suffering of locals.

Dental missions are hard to pull off because doctors don’t have access to the same dental equipment and materials they normally would at a dental care facility. On mission trips, you have to make do with makeshift facilities, often performing dental procedures wherever necessary.

All this would not have been possible without portable dentistry equipment, such as the Xray2go, a handheld compact x-ray machine that produces high-quality radiographic images.

In Dr. Hansen’s own words, “We were so fortunate to have a portable X-ray2go from our friends at Digital Doc! They have been generous partners in dental missions!” Her words speak volumes about how valuable the XTG Handheld X-ray can be when you need dental services on the go.

The XTG Handheld X-Ray took it all in stride and delivered high-quality x-ray images a day in and day out right to the very end! In total, the dental mission team performed 4 dental cleanings, 56 dental restorations, 573 tooth extractions, and 11 Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) treatments. The faithful and reliable Xray2go was there to provide all the radiographic images needed to perform the vast majority of those procedures.

The innovations that have brought portable handheld x-ray machines like the X-ray2go and other compact dental equipment like the LUM sub-enamel illumination device have made it possible to offer dental care just about anywhere. Dental offices that participate in dental missions or other outreach services should take advantage of the functionality and quality these products provide. Contact Digital Doc today for a FREE demo!

Things to Remember About Intraoral Camera Maintenance

Intraoral Camera Maintenance - Digital Doc

Things to Remember About Intraoral Camera Maintenance

All dental offices know how important it is to take every step necessary to ensure infection control. That same zeal also needs to be devoted to taking care of and preserving the condition of the costly dental equipment which facilitates accurate diagnosis and treatment. The IRIS HD USB 3.0 Dental Camera, the XRay2Go or XTG Handheld X-Ray machine and the LUM sub-enamel illumination devices are examples of diagnostic equipment that every dental office should take care of properly. This article discusses some of the crucial disinfecting measures that will help you to not only maintain but increase the longevity of your equipment.

Step #1: Sheaths for Asepsis and Fogging

The IRIS camera sheaths are specifically designed for IRIS cameras only. The optically clear side is on the bottom so you want to put the camera light towards the white paper. The Sheath is not required to be used with the cameras since you can wipe the camera down with a disinfectant wipe; however, you will prevent fogging by adding the sheath. We all have those patients when we ask them to breath out of their nose and they do the opposite.

Step #2: Refer to the User Manual

No two manufacturers make intraoral cameras the same way. It is therefore prudent for you to read the user manual of your IRIS intraoral camera and find out what the manufacturer recommends as the right way to clean or maintain this particular piece of dental equipment.

For example, one manufacturer may recommend that you use an alcohol wipe to clean the lens of the camera while another might forbid it. Follow the specific recommendations provided in the manual so that your camera isn’t damaged during the cleaning process. The advice of following the manufacturer’s instructions also applies to any other dental equipment that you may have, such as the LUM sub-enamel illumination device and the XTG Handheld X-Ray machine.

Step #3: Place Your Intraoral Camera on a Surface You Can Disinfect

The third step that you should take is to place the IRIS Intraoral camera on a sterile surface or on a disposable liner. Once the camera is on that surface, dispose of the gloves that you wore while taking intraoral images of the patient.

After taking the gloves off, proceed to wash your hands thoroughly. This added precaution is necessary because there’s a possibility that you came in contact with the patient’s fluids. After washing and drying your hands, wear fresh gloves and proceed with the next steps of the process.

Step #4: Wipe the Camera Down

You should always wipe down the entire camera using Digi Wipes, which are scientifically proven to have superior disinfection properties compared to other medical wipes on the market. Don’t use the wipes picked from the grocery store! The wipes used to clean your camera must be specifically designed for this role.

Step #5: Connect the Cable and Store the IRIS Intraoral Camera

Once the camera is dry, reconnect its USB cable and place the camera in a fresh sheath. Thereafter, place the camera in its storage place or on a sterile surface, such as a tray, if you intend to use it again. Discard the gloves you wore while cleaning the IRIS 2.0 Dental Camera for Windows.

The steps above should be mastered by every member of your staff. Insist that they follow those steps every single time without any exceptions. That way, your equipment will not be an instrument of cross-contamination or provision of inaccurate images.

The Safety of Portable Dental X-ray Machines

Dental X-ray devices are extensively used in dental treatment just like the LUM Sub-Enamel Illumination device. In order to serve patients well, clinicians should be aware of and prepared for the hazards of using x-rays. X-rays emit radiation, which can prove to be significantly risky for patients if not used appropriately. Operating an x-ray machine is not as simple as pushing a couple of buttons, technicians should train themselves properly to use x-ray devices. The same is true for portable handheld x-ray devices.

Digital Doc XTG is an excellent portable x-ray system. It is a high frequency, advanced dental x-ray device. With a 60kVDC and 2mA tube current, it is built to produce high-quality x-ray, for both film and digital sensors. The devices can also be mounted on an optional tripod or on arms. Aside from improving efficiency in patient diagnosis, it is safe and easy to use the device for clinicians. The rest of the article will outline the key guidelines and safety precautions to follow while using the device.

Check the X-ray Device Package

First things first; as soon as you get the device open and assess all the components provided in the packaging for damage. The standard device packaging will consist of the device, power cable, the long cone, user manual, backscatter shied, the remote control switch (optional), and battery charger.

You must carry out the following preliminary checks:

Check if the device has serialized device label (usually on the back)
Inspect Collimator Cone and Backscatter Shield for any shipping damage
Check if Exposure Switch is functioning freely
Ensure that Device Housing has no cracks or fractures

You should also keep the following important points in mind:

Do not open the housing (enclosure)
Warranty will be rendered useless if you disassemble the main apparatus
Only trained personnel should repair the device
Gather information from an authorized distributor only

Dental X-Ray Radiation Prevention

Not only should you register properly and comply with all applicable regulations, but you should also consult the relevant state, provincial, and local regulations which govern radiation protection and use of x-ray equipment. The operator of the device should carefully follow all enforced regulations in relation to pregnant or expecting to be pregnant women. Operators of the device should also be completely familiar with the industry safety recommendations and permissible doses. To ensure optimal radiation backscatter protection you should:

Position the backscatter shield at a correct angle to the operator
Keep backscatter shield close to the patient
The patient tilts their head when required to do so
The operator stays immediately behind the permanently attached backscatter shield, in the Significant Zone of Occupancy

Only begin using the XTG when you are sure there will be no interruptions, putting other people under risk of being exposed to radiation. The assistant should also wear proper protective gear. In using Position Indicating Devices (PIDs), models allowing the operator to position the unit at the correct angle should be preferred. The depressed trigger can be used to end exposure at any given point. Low-class image detectors should not be used.

Duty Cycle and Usage of Dental X-ray

Xray2go has a maximum duty cycle rating of 1:60, and is designed in a manner to avoid overheating from excessive use. However, the device should not be used in an area with flammable material. The optimal battery voltage level for using XTG is 22.2 VDC, and it should not be operated on low voltage levels.

Proper Cleaning of Handheld X-ray

Before cleaning, you should ensure that the battery charger is unplugged. Keep the power of the device off while you clean it. To clean the device you can use non-alcohol based disinfectant wipes, a cloth with disinfectant liquid, or spray. The device is not water-proof, so care must be taken to not dampen it with any form of liquid. XTG should also not be sterilized.

Storing and Transporting the dental x-ray

For long term storage, the device should be stored in a place which is not affected by air pressure, temperature (cool), ventilation, humidity (dry), salt, dust, sunlight, etc. Be sure to avoid dropping or hitting the device while transporting or storing it.

Regular Maintenance on XTG Handheld X-ray

A technician should make an annual maintenance check on the device. You should also be wary of the accessories you use; if non-recommended accessories are used, they may damage the device.

Understanding Caries Detection Devices

Over time, medicine has moved away from aggressive surgery to minimally invasive procedures as well as placing more emphasis on prevention and early detection. This change has been triggered by the need to lower the rates at which complications develop after surgery, as well as the need to reduce recovery time and the pain experienced by patients. Dentistry has also taken the same trajectory and caries detection devices, such as the LUM, have been introduced on the market in order to make it easier to catch caries early and reverse this condition before it costs patients their teeth. This article discusses some of the shortcomings of the traditional caries detection technology and also explores the benefits that the new crop of caries detection devices bring to the field of dentistry.

The Shortcomings of Traditional Caries Detection Technology

Radiographs: Radiography has been used for long in the fight against caries. However, this technology has one big weakness. Radiographs tend to be effective in alerting a dentist about the presence of caries once those caries have advanced and reached the dentinoenamel junction. In other words, radiographs can only detect caries with a high degree of accuracy once the bacteria causing caries has done so much damage that the dentine is starting to be exposed. This is unacceptable for dentists interested in minimally invasive dentistry since such severe damage requires invasive remedies or interventions.

Dental Explorers: dental explorers have also been used for long to examine the surface of teeth in order to find out which portions have caries. However, dental experts have been discouraging the use of these devices because the sharp tip of the explorer can compromise the portions of the teeth that are re-mineralizing. This can inadvertently give caries a chance to advance further.

The Benefits of Caries Detection Devices

The age of digital dentistry has ushered the dawn of caries detection devices like the LUM. These devices offer a variety of advantages or uses, such as the following;

Checking for caries before sealants are placed: Caries detection devices provide sub-enamel illumination so that dentists can use their findings to make various decisions. One of these pieces of information collected with the help of LUM is the state of any caries on the teeth before dental sealants are placed. This information can be captured more effectively once the caries detection tool is used alongside a high-quality intraoral camera, such as the IRIS HD USB 3.0 Dental Camera. The images captured can be analyzed thoroughly so that any caries detected can be treated before the sealants are put in place.

Assessing Re-mineralization Measures: Caries detection devices can also be used to monitor whether the measures to re-mineralize the teeth of a patient are working as expected, or not. The information gathered can be used to change the treatment plan if tangible results aren’t forthcoming, or a specific approach can be retained if it is bringing the desired outcomes. In this way, the time that would have been lost waiting for an ineffective method to bear fruit can be saved.

Monitoring Sealants: Caries detection devices have also shown their usefulness as a tool to help dentists to monitor the edges of dental sealants as time goes by. Any deterioration can be tracked so that a timely decision to replace the sealants can be made. This proactive approach could not have been possible if caries detection devices didn’t exist.

As you can see, caries detection devices like the LUM sub-enamel illumination device can add a whole new dimension to the ease with which your dental office can catch caries early. However, you should use these devices together with the other caries detection systems for better results. Contact Digital DOC for a virtual or in-office demo so that you can grasp how easy your work will become once this tool is available to you and your staff.

Grow Your Dental Practice with Your IRIS HD

Grow your Dental Practice with Your IRIS HD

Return on your investment in an intraoral scanner is directly dependent on your dental practice’s current setup. It is important to consider factors such as the areas of potential growth, which services contribute the most to your business, the number of impressions and device remakes you do on average and the kind of target demographic you have.

All these factors will help you determine whether this investment will be worth the learning curve and the financial cost. Dentists who reported satisfaction from this investment gave the following reasons:

Increased Accuracy Resulting in Fewer Remakes and Less Chair Time

Dental sleep medicine practitioners reported lesser oral appliance remakes after the use of digital impressions. They also discussed reduced chair time spent making adjustments and said that if incase impression retakes were needed they were able to finish it off in the same appointment. This was because they were able to see the D scan right away and were able to identify lack of clarity. Moreover, the electronic workflow also meant that the impressions were not impacted by problems such as tongue thrusts, saliva contamination, gagging, shipping temperature or imprecise lab pour ups like before.

Low Cost Due to Saving on Purchasing Less Traditional Impression Material

The cost and storage space savings were a huge plus point for especially those who did many full mouth impressions

Increased overall efficiency, particularly quicker turnaround times from beginning to end:

This can be compared to the speed and time difference between sending a letter through email versus traditional mail. Since the digital scan from your IRIS USB 2.0 dental camera is uploaded electronically there is no delay in receipt so the manufacturing process begins immediately, Patients with sleep apnea as well which is a great advantage to patients and is appreciated by referring providers as well.

High level of Satisfaction in Patients Leading to More Referrals.

This increased satisfaction leads to a greater number of referrals who have failed CPAP to the specific dentist where they can vouch for a good experience. Referring providers are also happier with the speed of therapy initiation which is a domino effect leading to more referrals over other competing dental sleep medicine practitioners. Moreover, this also helps overbalance the initial investment in the intraoral scanner by more payments.

Easier Oral Appliance Replacement and Duplicates

If somehow the patient loses his oral appliance by accident or wants a second device, this allows you to order a new appliance online using the saved scans as long as the patient’s teeth have not been moved. This is a huge step up from traditional pour ups where they would not be able to locate old models in a reliable manner.

Usage opportunities across multiple services and multiple types of dentistry:

Dentists can use their IRIS HD Intraoral Camera across a board of services ranging from orthodontics to dental sleep to implants and much more. However, if you offer multiple services do research whether you can find established uses for digital scanning across the various types of services.

Portability and ease of use:

If you practice at multiple locations, you will be able to save cost as your one purchase will be used in all locations. Similarly, if you partner on-site with other physicians or healthcare facilities and do oral appliance impressions you are at a great advantage. In traditional impressions, this would not be possible but the portability and ease of Digital Doc’s IRIS HD Cameras make the process very fast and efficient. It is important however to check with a health care attorney if partnering with other physicians and facilities is permitted. Many rules that govern how many Medicare providers can work at the same office so make sure you are not violating any unknowingly.

Creating a Productive Digital Dental Practice

It can be daunting for a dental practitioner to select the most appropriate equipment and technologies from the wide array available on the market today. Moreover, the advertising and marketing efforts of manufacturers don’t make the task any easier. This article provides some actionable advice that you can implement while creating a productive digital dental practice.

Start from the Front Desk

Many dental practices make the costly mistake of thinking about the front desk last during the digitization process. However, front desk serves a key function in delivering outstanding service to patients and linking the back-end to various departments, such as billing. Therefore, it is advisable for you to start your digitization journey by procuring software solutions that can make the workflow smooth. For example, that software should be able to allow IRIS USB 2.0 Dental Chair Camera to send images directly to the patient’s digital file. Ultimately, eliminating the manual updating of files. In addition to this, patient’s rooms should be equipped with a large screen and digital software to educate and entertain them during their office visit.

Diagnostic Tools/Dental Technology

Next, consider digitizing the diagnostic equipment and technology so that your diagnostic process can be accurate and efficient. This is where caries detection tools like LUM and digital intraoral cameras like the IRIS Intraoral Dental Camera for Mac come in handy. Radiology tools, such as the XTG Handheld X-Ray, are also crucial during this phase of digitization. These digital tools will increase early detection and accurate diagnosis so that appropriate treatment can commence early.

Dental Treatment Tools and Dental Technology

There is a big reason why the tools and systems used to provide treatment may only be digitized once the diagnostics have been attended to. You can only start treatment after establishing what is wrong. Any mistake made during diagnosis will render any treatment given a nullity or require costly rework and extra visits by the patient. Remember, same-day services are now expected as the norm. So, the diagnosis should be spot on every single time so that proper treatment can be delivered to your patient.

Here, intraoral cameras like the IRIS HD USB 3.0 Dental Camera and software generate models of different smile designs, which come in handy when you’re setting treatment goals with your patient. You can also acquire fabrication equipment (3D printers and other milling equipment, for example) so that various restorations can be made in-house rather than outsourcing those services.

Data Backup for Your Dental Practice

Digitization increases the risk of data loss, so adequate attention should be devoted to backing up all data, preferably in the cloud. This type of backup system will keep the data of your dental practice secure from loss. It is important to appoint a person who has the knowledge of properly uploading the data to the cloud. This process can be automated so that any data capture is immediately sent to the cloud. A data backup system will save you from the headaches associated with data storage problems. Imagine how the reputation of your dental practice would suffer if a patient came to your office to review their smile after a year and you were unable to pull the images taken using IRIS intraoral cameras just before the treatment commenced!

Painting the Picture of the Ideal Visit

After implementing the digitization sequence suggested above, take time and think about what an ideal patient visit should be for your dental practice. Consider pain management, expedited care, cost-reduction and any other component that can bring the wow factor to your practice. Use that ideal picture to revisit the different categories of digitization as earlier discussed so that improvements or upgrades can be implemented on an ongoing basis. In this way, you will avoid the complacency that often creeps in when dental professionals complete the initial digitization of their practices. Continuous improvement is the hallmark of dental practices that rise to the top.

Efficiency, consistency, and accuracy will be a norm at your dental practice. All you need to do is follow the recommendations above when creating a productive digital dental practice.

The Future of Digital Dentistry

Digital dentistry is growing at a fast pace and there is more on the horizon. For dental practices, the developments in the digital dentistry sphere mean that offices must play catch up in order to enjoy the numerous benefits that come with digitizing. Here are some of the benefits that will keep getting better as the future of digital dentistry becomes a reality.

Improved Workflow with Digital Dentistry

Improved workflow already exists because of digitization in the dental office. For example, the advances in intraoral cameras like the IRIS USB 2.0 Dental Camera have triggered a shift to paperless dental offices. Images from the intraoral camera can be stored in a patient’s digital file directly using the dental office management software integration with the imaging technology.

Similarly, it’s now easier than ever to receive or send the patient’s records if the primary dental care provider changes. All this is possible thanks to digilization.

Faster Turnaround Times for Dental Patients

The future of digital dentistry will also see a further reduction in the turnaround time needed to provide various aspects of dental care, such as the fabrication of restorations (dental crowns, for example).

This is possible because the links between the fabricators and dental offices are stronger due to digitization. A clear example is the way you can transmit the images captured by the XTG Handheld X-Ray and IRIS Intraoral scanner directly to a fabricator instead of preparing and shipping the mold. This reduced turnaround time eliminates lengthy wait time for patients who need restorations.

Better Diagnosis with Digital Dentistry

Patient care largely depends on the ability of a dental office’s accurate diagnosis of each condition before treatment procedures can be initiated. The future of digital dentistry contains many areas of diagnostics. For example, caries detection is evolving rapidly. Already, sub-enamel illumination devices like LUM have made examing the mouth a breeze. It was nearly impossible to have a clear quality picture in previous years. Before the LUM, dentists would miss important clues that would help in diagnosing the patient.

Lower Costs for Your Practice with Digital Dentistry

The future of digital dentistry also holds promise regarding the costs of providing care to patients. For example, the use of intraoral scanners and cameras like the IRIS USB 2.0 Chair Dental Camera increases the accuracy of the dental restorations made. In addition, costly rework is avoided, and the savings made are transferred to the patient in the form of lower charges.

Furthermore, the future of digital dentistry will see more in-house fabrication of restorations rather than what is the current practice of sending models and any fabrication work to external entities. Fabricating in-house can lower costs because the markup, shipping and other costs associated with outsourcing are avoided.

3D printing technology is also becoming more readily available, and its cost is dropping fast. This has exciting prospects because “dental restorations on demand” will become commonplace once this technology matures.

Improve Communication with Digital Dentistry

Digital dentistry also promises to improve communication at different levels. For example, the IRIS Intraoral Camera for Mac and all the other intraoral cameras made by Digital Doc have made case presentation a breeze because a dentist can simply display the images on a large screen in an operatory. Patients see the problems their dentist is referring to, so it is easier for those patients to accept the treatment recommendations of the dentist.

In addition to that, digital dentistry also allows dental offices to send patients online reminders or notifications about appointments and other related issues. In the future, the applications of digital dentistry will expand even further as the dental practice management software is further exploited in the wake of all the technological developments in the industry.

As you can see, the future of digital dentistry is full of promise, and dentists can take a proactive approach in bringing all the advancing technology to their offices as and when such technologies can increase efficiency cost-effectively. Digital Doc is happily available to help out during your office’s transition process.

How to Improve Case Acceptance in the Modern Dental Practice

How to improve case acceptance in modern dental practice

How to Improve Case Acceptance in the Modern Dental Practice

Your office may have experienced, and skilled staff, the latest dental technology, but that may come to nothing if your case acceptance rates are dismal. Read on and discover how to improve case acceptance in the modern dental practice.

Use Pictures, Rather Than Words

You can go on and on about treatments, but a patient may still say no to a necessary or recommended dental treatment procedure if they don’t see the importance of it. Why not just tell your patient, but show them what you can do for them.

If you use the appropriate images to show your patient a firsthand view of what the problem is, they’re likely to change their mind. For example, the patient may require deep cleaning instead of the routine cleaning that he or she had come for. Use the IRIS HD USB 3.0 Dental Camera to capture images of the affected teeth. Beam those images onto a large screen within the operatory so that the patient can see how serious the situation is. Your patient will then realize that your recommendation is indeed necessary, and he or she will likely move forward with the recommended procedure.

Emphasize Same Day Treatment

We live in a very busy world, and everyone seems to be pressed for time. How can your dental practice be more considerate of your patients’ time?

Case acceptance in the modern dental practice can increase significantly if same-day services are emphasized. Recent technologies, such as the XTG Handheld X-Ray from Digital Doc, have collapsed the time that was initially required for patient care. The handheld X-ray allows the dentist to get instant x-ray images that can be displayed on a screen and reviewed right then and there. So, any needed dental work can be completed during one visit instead of having the patient come back for additional appointments.

In short, digitize your dental practice so that same-day services become the norm. You will see an increase in case acceptance rates at your practice.

Show Your Dental Patient Urgency

Another way to increase case acceptance in the modern dental practice is to stress the risks of delayed treatment to your patient. For example, a patient who comes into the office with a toothache should be told that urgent treatment is needed before more damage is done, which will cause additional dental procedures like a root canal.

Fortunately, sub-enamel illumination technology like LUM can be paired with an IRIS Intraoral Camera to show the patient how extensive their dental problem is. Consequently, it is likely that the patient will agree to immediate treatment once they fully understand the urgency of the situation.

Adress Your Patient’s Fears of the Dental Treatment

Sometimes, case acceptance rates can take a tumble when you don’t address your patient’s fears. For example, a patient may postpone a needed surgical procedure simply because he or she fears that the procedure will be so complex that there will be complications and the recovery time will be longer than expected.

Your staff can learn to integrate language that removes fear from your patients during consultations. For example, as you discuss the images taken using the IRIS LTE USB 2.0 Dental Camera beamed on a screen, inform your patient that their tooth decay treatment is a routine procedure and they’ll be back to normal in no time. Additionally, you can explain that you have done it countless times without any problems. Addressing your patient’s fears will help increase the case acceptance rates of your dental practice.

Refrain from the Money Talk

Your work as a dentist is to educate and treat patients. Focus on doing just that and avoid discussing the cost of the procedure. Let the front office or billing department discuss this with the patient. The best thing you can do is educate your patient about their necessary treatment. Make the best use of the IRIS Intraoral Cameras to help the patient understand why the urgent treatment is needed.

As you can see from the discussion above, case acceptance in the modern dental practice largely depends on how you present the case to the patient and their understanding of the necessary treatment. Digital Doc can help you to digitize your practice so that better patient care can be offered efficiently without sacrificing attention to detail. Contact us today for a demonstration of how our products can help to skyrocket your case acceptance rates.