Links

Many of you have probably heard of some of the social networking sites such as MySpace and FaceBook. However, few of these have a business slant. For that, I really suggest you check out LinkedIn. LinkedIn is an online network of more than 14 million experienced professionals from around the world, representing 150 industries.

When you join, you create a profile that summarizes your professional accomplishments. Your profile helps you find and be found by former colleagues, clients, and partners. You can add more connections by inviting trusted contacts to join LinkedIn and connect to you.

Your network consists of your connections, your connections’ connections, and the people they know, linking you to thousands of qualified professionals.

It's free to join. Make sure you look me up and join my network!

New CD for Endo

Here's a new CD from Steve Buchanan. Steve is an excellent endodontist and a friend of mine.

New CD Helps General Practices Minimize Errors in Endodontics

COSTA MESA, CA., AUGUST 2007 — CareCredit, North America’s leading patient payment program is offering a FREE educational CD, “The Economics of Endodontics," featuring leading expert Dr. L. Stephen Buchanan. A diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics and fellow of the International and American College of Dentistry, Dr. Buchanan maintains a private practice specializing in endodontics and implant surgery and teaches hands-on laboratory courses through his second business, Dental Educational Laboratories.

As the demand for endodontic procedures continues to increase, more general dentists are considering how endodontics can benefit their practice and patients. In this instructive audio program, Dr. Buchanan identifies the three most common mistakes made by general dentists performing endodontics: deciding which cases to treat or refer, the use of rotary instrumentation, and timing of procedures. Most importantly, he discusses how common mistakes can be avoided. He also explains how to protect the most valuable commodity to your practice.

CareCredit is at work in more than 80,000 practices in North America and is used by over 6 million patients. CareCredit is exclusively selected for their members by most state and national dental associations, including ADA Member AdvantageSM, AGD, AAOMS, and AAP, and is also recommended by leading practice management consultants. For more information or to request your free copy of Dr. Buchanan’s audio CD, call CareCredit at 1-800-300-3046 ext. 4519 (if new to CareCredit) or 1-800-859-9975 (if already enrolled) or visit www.carecredit.com.

Google Alerts

Google announced a new service today called Google Alerts. Google Alerts are email updates of the latest relevant Google results (web, news, etc.) based on your choice of query or topic.Some handy uses of Google Alerts include:

Monitoring a developing news story
Keeping current on a competitor or industry
Getting the latest on a celebrity or event
Keeping tabs on your favorite sports teams

It's a cool service and you can check it out here.

PreViser News

Previser, a very nice risk analysis too for perio, has a new update:

Hello from PreViser,

Thank you for your interest in PreViser and our risk and disease analysis software. We are very pleased to let you know we have released a major upgrade to our software (version 3.0) that is available to you now.

Some features of this new version include:

·More flexible: Now compatible with both Windows and Macintosh operating systems

·Faster: Reduced data entry time by removing the “Treatments Performed since last risk assessment” screen from risk assessment wizards

·Easier: Quicker network setup for practices or organizations using more than one computer

·Better language: Refined and improved treatment recommendations consistent with research and current best practices

·Clearer: Lines in “What Changed” graphs are now color-coded to identify each score’s trends (rather than previous hard-to-read markings on lines differentiating various scores)

·Specific: For periodontal assessments, "Bleeding on Probing" data is now collected for each sextant

·Enhanced: New “Correlation Report” augments periodontal risk and disease assessments to show correlation between the patient's PreViser scores and the American Academy of Periodontology's Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Periodontal Diseases

ADA-Bound

I'll be heading up the ADA meeting in San Francisco this week. The big news is that my first annual Dental Equipment and Technology Buying Guide will finally be available, exclusively through Darby Dental in 2007-2008. We'll be at booth 6777, so either come by there or the Darby Booth from 9:30-11:30 AM and 2:30-4:40 PM each day. See you there!

Still the King

If you want to have patients find your website, you need to make sure that it appears in search engines. You'll want it in as many search engines as possible...but spend your time optimizing it for Google. According to the latest results, Google is used for close to 64% of all searches.

More Vista Woes

In recent news, it seems that PC makers are now offering (for free!) XP discs for purchasers of Vista systems that want to "downgrade" their computers to XP. Many of these vendors are already pushing Microsoft to extend the deadline to offer XP preinstalled beyond the current January 31, 2008 data.

You can read about this here.

Gee 9

According to the folks at Photomed, Canon has announced a new camera in the G series, the G9. They were surprised to see this as they thought that the G6 would be the last in this series. Of specific note is their re-inclusion of the ability to handle RAW images.

You can read about this and other items in their regular newsletter.

How Do You Guru?

American Fork, Utah — Henry Schein, Inc. announces the introduction of Guru™, a computer-based, interactive patient education library for dentists. As a new patient communication tool, Guru enables the dental professional and patient to effectively make a more informed decision about proposed treatment and oral health.

Henry Schein’s Guru elevates key doctor-patient dialog from a passive experience to a proactive and flexible learning experience. Patients who understand their diagnoses and treatment options are more likely to make sound decisions regarding their oral health. Thus, Guru is interactive, providing customized explanations, specific notations, and images unique to each patient, from X-rays to intraoral photos. Developed with dentists for dentists, Guru's detailed animations can augment professional counsel in a universal language that may lead to acceptance of any doctor’s treatment recommendations.

"We are confident the Guru patient education software will provide our customers with a high quality product with unique educational and treatment planning segments providing advantages over competitive products," said David McKinley, President of Henry Schein Practice Solutions. "The content is fresh, the communication approach is interactive and it delivers excellent value for every practice. In addition, with the release of DENTRIX G3 early next year, Guru will be integrated with the DENTRIX and Easy Dental practice management systems. Guru is a perfect fit in our mission to deliver more innovative solutions for our customers."

Henry Schein Practice Solutions will launch Guru with a new advertising campaign entitled “How you Guru?” that will appear in numerous dental publications. Dental professionals can learn more about Guru by calling 1-800-336-8749 and requesting a working demonstration copy at no charge, or by visiting www.dentrix.com. Guru is currently available in a stand-alone version for $2,499 with a $449 annual content enhancement plan that keeps the library fresh and up to date. Guru does provide limited integration with DENTRIX G2 and other practice management systems.

I Hear a Symphony

I've been hearing a lot about the IBM software that mimics Office called Symphony. They have a spreadsheet, word processor, and PowerPoint clone. It looks like it is built on the OpenOffice.org platform but they have taken their own spin on it. Since it's a free download, try it out.

DataSecure is Here!!!

As many of you know, I've become a bigger and bigger fan of online backup over the past year. In my hunt to find the perfect system, I finally figured out that I really wanted complete control over how the service is run, so we now are offering an online backup service called DataSecure.

This will be a managed solution. We will figure out what needs to be backed up, install the software, perform the backup, and monitor it each and every day for you.

Some of the key features that I felt were absolutely critical:

1. It is HIPAA compliant. You need a unique code to be able to restore the data as it is encrypted on the servers.

2. It can copy open databases: no more stopping of Eaglesoft, Dentrix Image, Open Dental, etc just to do the backup.

3. It will allow us to customize how many copies of your data are retained. For example, there's little need to keep multiple copies of images, but since PMS data can become corrupted, keeping 5-10 days worth makes sense.

4. Speaking of multiple copies, the servers are redundant: we'll have two servers located hundreds of miles apart, each with a full copy of the data.

5. We will allow you to not only restore single or multiple files, but to be able to check those files to figure out which one you want to restore before you actually do the restoration.

6. We'll be able to generate a daily email informing you of the backup status.

7. Finally, it will be easy to use.

This is going to be a true set-it-and-forget-it solution for offices. This is not the cheapest option out there: most offices will be paying around $50-$100/month. But, for peace of mind and making life easier on you and your staff, I think it's a good value.

Feel free to check out the site here. If you sign up for the service, my techs would need to log in first to determine how much data needs to be backed up so that we can quote an accurate price.

They Are Pals of Mine

Here's a press release for my favorite charting system, PerioPal:

PerioPal® Periodontal Software Promotes Evidence-Based
Diagnosis for Locally Administered Antibiotics (LAA).

PerioPal responds to the increasing demand for consistent diagnostic guidelines.

Beaumont, Texas – September 20, 2007 - PerioPal, LLC today previewed the next major release of its powerful periodontal software offering users a diagnostic tool to guide the decision-making process for locally administered antibiotic (LAA) therapy. PerioPal is a patent pending verbal software tool, allowing hands-free periodontal charting. Using an innovative technique and voice command technology, users
have an improved method of independent recording that shortens the enrollment time of data, increases the accuracy of the exam, and decreases the tedious task of periodontal charting.

With PerioPal 8.0, the PROPOSED LAA feature enables the user to select probing depth criteria from a computerized list that matches the practice’s periodontal protocol for LAA therapy. If the selected value is recorded during the course of the exam, PerioPal automatically generates precise on-screen displays and report images highlighting the pre-determined guideline for LAA therapy.

The verbal recording of periodontal data combined with real time viewing of charting data provide patients visual and tangible evidence of their periodontal health, disease, and needs. Following periodontal therapies, users can then activate the ReProbe and Comparative modules to monitor patient care and access treatment outcomes.

"We are excited about providing a unique charting module to facilitate optimal clinical assessments and decision-making for treatment and therapies," said Kimberly Goodson, RDH, PerioPal’s President. "PerioPal 8.0 is our response to the increasing demand by dental professionals seeking consistent diagnostic guidelines in order to provide the highest standard of quality care to their patients."

PerioPal software was created using Microsoft's Speech Application Programming Interface (SAPI), which is designed to connect speech recognition engines, and application programs, making it easier and more affordable for programs to be speech enabled.

PerioPal's Voice Command vocabulary consists of customized abbreviations and shortcuts that enable accurate recording of periodontal data in a shorter amount of time by significantly reducing the number of spoken words. These commands are used to verbally record probing depths, gingival margins, bleeding, suppuration, and other clinical findings such as mobility, furcations, plaque, and inaccurate
gingival attachments. Clinical attachment levels and a recommended ADA diagnosis are automatically calculated.

PerioPal comes Bridge and Network Ready. PerioPal is designed to be easily interfaced to most popular dental systems using a customized integration tool called DataGrabber from Apteryx, Inc. DataGrabber allows the automated transfer of patient name, birth date, and record ID number to PerioPal. This interface tool eliminates the need to modify the user’s dental office system software and still have a fully
integrated solution. A network version of PerioPal can now be installed on a shared network drive for multi-user applications.

Version 8.0 is available for purchase and more information on the software can be found at www.periopal.com.

Taking It to the Pros

Do you use Internet Explorer but wish it had some other features? Features like Spell Checking, the ability to restore all open tabs if it crashes, saving the page as an images, and many others? Well, then you need to download and use IE7Pro, a free add-on to Internet Explorer that does all of that and more.

Media Heaven

If you play media on your PC (movie, etc), you know what a pain it can be to have to download and install codecs, small files that are needed to recognize different formats. Here's a great program: SMPlayer, that bypasses all of the rigmarole and gives you a ton of options to booth. I've used VLC in the past, but this will be my new media player.

Two For One

While it might be on the lower end of the "high tech" scale, it's still kinda cool: a combination interdental brush and oral irrigator called the Squirtbrush. They offer different models, such as refillable, disposable for one-time use, and professional for use by the dental team.

Cut and Paste 2.0

I use Windows' built-in Clipboard multiple times each day but I absolutely can't stand the fact that it only remembers the last item I cut. Enter Yankee Clipper 3, which can remember your past 200 cuts plus many other great features. They offer a paid version for $15, but this one is free and should be all that most of us ever need.

Size It Up

Here's another really nifty utility if you find yourself running out of drive space: Folder Size. It basically tells you how much space each folder is taking up, and then you can click on the folder to see what the subfolders hold. It's free and does exactly what it says.

Running on Auto

As many of you may know, there is a command you can type in your Start/Run command line called MSCONFIG, which allows you to see which programs run when you start up the computer. However, this is a very basic program and cryptic to use. I would instead recommend a program called AutoRuns, which is a free program that is far more comprehensive than MSCONFIG and give you a lot more information.

Share and Share Alike

Have you ever wanted to access your photos, videos, music...but they are all on your home computer? Here's a great service: Orb. it's free and with a small download, you can share your files and access them from any computer with an Internet connection...you can even bring it up on a phone. very cool.

Use It or Lose It

I sent out a similar email to our clients last week, as I think it's important to know that if you are planning to add new technology in 2007, you need to start the process now. As you my be aware, you are allowed each year to write-off a certain amount of your office purchases instead of expensing them over the lifetime of the equipment. This is the Schedule 179 deduction that I mention in many of my proposals, and is currently at $125,000.

If you are planning to take advantage of this deduction in 2007, I highly encourage you to contact us soon as possible to get the process started. There are many reasons for this:

1. We get very, very busy from the middle of September onwards. In the past few years, all of our weekend appointments through the end of December are already booked by mid-October. Schedule 179 requires that the equipment be "in service" before December 31st. While this term is a bit ambiguous, there's no doubt that having the systems ordered and installed would meet all the provisions of the law.

2. Many of the vendors develop backorders for their products in the final quarter of the year. Dell Computers is already running 3-4 weeks behind on some models, and we expect this to get worse. In the past, we have not been able to guarantee December 31st delivery for any systems ordered after Thanksgiving.

3. While the Schedule 179 deduction is supposed to last another three years, the subject of changing or eliminating the deduction has come up in past elections, and I expect 2008 to be the same. Meaning, the results of the 2008 elections may adversely affect your ability to claim this deduction in the future.

Of course, we are not accountants and we highly recommend that you speak with your accountant to see how these rules will affect your individual situation.

Please feel free to contact my Office Manager, Steve, as soon as possible if you are still planning to upgrade your office systems in 2007. You can reach him at 866.204.3398, extension 202.

Zoho Grows Up

While I've been a fan of Zoho, the web-based Office-like suite, I found it a bit lacking for anything other than personal use. That will change with the recent announcement of Zoho Business. You can check out the news here.

Photoshop Online

If you're a Photoshop fan (and I know many of you are) but don't want the hassle of installing and learning the full program suite, Adobe has announced that they are releasing an online version of Photoshop called Express. It will have some, but not all, of the features of Photoshop. No idea on pricing yet. You can read about this new service here.

Beautiful Music

With all the battle going on between Internet Explorer and Firefox, it's interesting to note that best of them is probably....Opera. This browser is fast, secure, and has many excellent features. Here's a review of the latest version 9.5.

Still a Rat

One of my favorite products, the Dental Rat, has a few new versions. Here's the info from them:

This one is wireless (RF) or USB if someone doesn’t like wireless. Its much smaller and lighter as that seemed to be a complaint. We will still offer our robust unit too as a lot of Dr’s like the tank, but we are so excited about this one. We are taking preorders for only $995 ($500 off) until Oct 31st and will be shipping them out in Nov!

New Sensor Holder

Buffalo Grove, Illinois August 21, 2007: ClikTech, Inc. a manufacturer of dental sensor holders and related items announces the release of the ClikGuide™ "R" adapter. This revolutionary device allows the use of RINN™ and compatible type bitewing ring and metal rod systems with any ClikRay™ device.

Virtually standard and indestructible metal rods have been used for decades in dental offices. The addition of new digital technologies has relegated these items to unused drawers. With the advent of the ClikGuide™ "R", any metal rod designed for bitewing use can now be used for ANY view of a full mouth radiographic series in combination with any ClikRay™ holder. Only one ring and metal rod are now needed where in the past, three different rings and rods had to be used.

“We have reached an area where we can combine both new and old technologies to produce the best available products at the most reasonable cost to the dental profession.” relates Tom Gillen, President of Design and Manufacturing at ClikTech, Inc. "The ClikGuide™ "R" adapter serves as the bridge to make the transition to digital radiography significantly easier for the dental office."

About ClikTech

ClikTech, Inc. is an ISO 9001:2000 certified company and leading provider of digital sensor holders serving the design, engineering and production needs of companies and partners worldwide. ClikTech, Inc. supports its operations with a highly reliable infrastructure of design and development of product lines and provides engineering solutions to customers and partners in the United States. More information can be found at www.clikray.com

ClikTech, Inc.
877.251.0594
www.clikray.com

Happy Birthday Jake!!!!!

September 5, 2007

Thanks for an amazing first year! The best is yet to come.

Guarding the Line

There's little doubt that the improper care of digital x-ray sensor wires is the number one reason that they fail. Here's an innovative product called WireGuard, which protects the wire and prevents bending, crimping, etc. Considering the costs of sensors ($5000+), spending an extra $25 to protect the cables makes a lot of sense.

GMail Gee Whiz

I'm a big fan of web-based email accounts, and in reviewing the emails I get from people all over the country, I notice that many of you are using Google's GMail. What many don't know is that there are a number of features that can really make your life easier...if you just know about. Here's an article about the Top 10 Little Known Features (well, 5 of the 10, anyway...I'll post the other 5 in a week or so).

Doing The Splits

Here's a great little utility I've been using for awhile: have you ever needed to send a large file to someone but were limited by your ISP because it was too large? Enter GSplit, which can break any files into pieces ands end them to someone. The great feature is that you don't need any special software to reassamble the pieces...very cool.

Cleaning Folders

Here's a nifty little utility I found online, with the following description:

If you're like most PC users, you add and remove programs regularly, rearrange your music folders periodically, and generally leave your file system looking messier than your bedroom floor. You probably have dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of folders on your PC containing absolutely no files.

Remove Empty Directories is a free application that does exactly what you'd expect it to. It removes empty directories.

If you have temporary directories or other folders that might be empty at the moment, but which shouldn't be deleted, you can "protect" those files from deletion. And while you can scan your entire hard drive, we'd recommend against it. Certain empty folders in your Windows and Program Files directories may be needed in order for applications to run properly.

Vista Speed

While I'm still not sold on Windows Vista (could we have another Windows Me on our hands??), I know some of you have installed it, and anyone who bought a PC recently may not have had much choice. Here's a great list of speed tweaks to get the most of your Vista system.

Caring Done Right

CaredCredit has released a new service to their subscribers today. here's the press release:

COSTA MESA, CALIF. — August 2007 — CareCredit has launched a new Resource Center on their website www.carecredit.com to provide enrolled practices with training, tools and information to help them attract more patients, enhance the patient experience, increase acceptance of recommended treatment and improve front office procedures. Additionally, the Resource Center, the first of its kind from a patient financing company, helps busy dental teams easily and seamlessly integrate CareCredit patient payment plans into their daily routine and efficiently manage the financing portion of their practice.

This comprehensive and easy to navigate Resource Center also features important CareCredit program updates, effective presentation tools including a new patient slideshow, and training and scripts. Teams can listen as leading practice management consultants and their peers role play how to successfully present treatment and fees, answer new patient phone calls and overcome objections to needed dentistry. The popular “Consultant and Expert Advice” section provides insight on a wide variety of topics including managing overhead, minimizing failed appointments and integrating technology into the dental practice. Practices today are busier than ever, so they can sign up to receive weekly Consultant Tips or Morning Huddles via email, featuring helpful tips to improve communications skills. Micaela, a treatment coordinator from California reports, "I like the weekly email with quick tips that help me in my job. I use these in my Morning Huddle!" Practices can also order CareCredit’s free patient and practice supplies, update their information to be displayed on the Doctor Locator, which is viewed over 350,000 times per month by patients looking for a doctor who offers CareCredit, and request training or presentation materials.

"When we created the Resource Center, we wanted to give our 80,000 enrolled practices a convenient place to go where they could find information not only about CareCredit, but also tools that will help them grow their practices and help more patients," explained Michael Testa, president. "We have already received very positive feedback. In fact, 40% of enrolled practices used the site within 30 days of its launch. We want to encourage practices to make our Resource Center a frequent destination for advice, inspiration and insight."

CareCredit is at work in more than 80,000 practices in North America and is used by over 6 million patients. The new resource center is another example of CareCredit’s commitment to providing practices with information, resources and innovations that enhance efficiency and productivity. CareCredit is exclusively selected for their members by most state and national dental associations, including ADA Member AdvantageSM *, AGD, AAOMS, and AAP, and is also recommended by leading practice management consultants. CareCredit can be reached at 800-300-3046 x4519 (new enrollment) or 800-859-9975 (already enrolled).