Synca has designed CADI very well; the layout is crisp and simple, with easy to understand icons and very few clicks required to do what you want to do. Even new users will have no problem capturing and editing images because of the intuitive interface.

CADI is not a patient management system; however, it integrates very well with the vast majority of patient management systems on the market today. Of course, CADI also includes a very capable patient database, so if you aren’t running patient management software, CADI will be able to organize all of the images for you (Actually, CADI always organizes the images for you; when linked to your PMS it simply recognizes the patient’s name, and then opens up the correct file within its own database).

CADI is compatible with virtually all intra-oral cameras, extra-oral camera, intra-oral x-ray, and extra-oral x-ray systems. In addition, CADI can also launch external programs such as patient education files or treatment planning programs.

Many manufacturers of imaging equipment will provide imaging software for free, or at a reduced cost. This software usually works adequately, but only for the equipment that it was designed for. Using third-party software, such as CADI, for your image management provides several advantages. For example, if you are using a DenOptix machine (and VixWin) to capture digital radiographs, and want to upgrade to Schick sensors in the future, you will need to go through a complicated process to convert your old images into the new database. With CADI, you only need to install the Schick drivers onto the computer. Also, because you are paying for the software, it is designed to a higher standard than software that is given away at no charge. This means a better initial product, and better customer service when help is required.

For more information on CADI 6, visit the website at www.cadi.net. If not for anything else, check the wacky videos they have introducing the product.

Tags: Dental Imaging and X-Ray, dental lab equipment

As computers become more common in the dental operatory, issues concerning the cleaning and disinfecting of computer equipment are becoming more prevalent. Hospitals have been dealing with these issues for some time, and they have great, albeit expensive methods for dealing with them.

One example is that hospital monitors are often designed to be disinfected, and come with flat glass screens which are impervious to chemicals. Hospital keyboards in patient care areas are often either flat with no ridges, or use a touch screen interface to simplify cleaning.

Since most dental offices choose to use standard computer equipment, many of the hospital’s methods do not apply. There are a few things that I have seen used in the past that I thought I would share with you today. You will have to judge the effectiveness of these methods yourself, as I am not a medical professional. However, hopefully these ideas will either agree with you, or will spark your imagination and help you come up with your own solution.

Mice and keyboards pose the most common problems. A computer keyboard is often a cleaning & disinfecting nightmare, with all the individual buttons, complex shapes, ridges and gaps. It goes without saying that the mouse and keyboard should be wireless; cords would add a whole extra level of complexity, and would be a nightmare to keep clean.

Bluetooth mice and keyboard sets are widely available, have great range, and can be configured to not interfere with other computers in close proximity.

The most common solution I have seen for keeping the mouse clean is simply to use a stick on barrier film. This allows the buttons to be pressed freely, and cleaning the mouse is as simple as replacing the barrier. This assumes that the mouse is being used on a clean surface, and that there is no chance of the bottom of the mouse becoming contaminated.

Another solution is to use a Ziploc style bag. This could cause some problems with tracking if the bag were to get bunched up under the mouse, but cleaning the mouse is as simple as replacing the baggie.

Keyboards have several options available. There are plastic, roll up keyboards available – these still have the problem of a varied surface, but can be sprayed down with disinfectant and left to soak.

Many companies make plastic keyboard covers to prevent dust and crumbs from getting into the inner workings of the keyboard. These covers could also work in a dental office by allowing you to remove the cover and spray it down, or spray the keyboard with the cover in place. The downside to this method is that the covers do not last very long, since they are not designed to be exposed to harsh chemical.

The most common method that I see?

Simply wrapping the keyboard with Saran Wrap, and replacing the plastic between each patient.

What do you think of the methods described above? Have you used some or all of them in the past? Do you have an idea that works better? Leave a comment below, and share your ideas with your fellow readers.

Dentist with computer

Tags: Dental Equipment, Dental Imaging and X-Ray, dental lab equipment

Model Trimmer

The dental model trimmer is a fixture in the dental office lab. Used to clean up the edges of plaster models, they are available in wet or dry models, and in various power levels and disc diameters. The wet 10” trimmer is a perfect fit for the vast majority of dental offices.

Model trimmers are basically a motor with a grinding disc attached to it, so it’s hard to make a poor purchase. However, some models do have features such as adjustable tables and tables with engraved angle indicators so that you can cut orthodontic models.

Wet trimmers are the traditional choice, as the water keeps the dust down and lubricates the model as you cut. Installation requirements are fairly minimal, requiring only power, water, and a drain. Positioning the trimmer next to a sink is the most convenient, as a sink brings water and drain together.

Drain lines can be permanently plumbed into the sewer, but it is recommended that you simply place the drain tube into a sink basin. It can easily be moved out of the way when needed, reduces clogs, and simplifies the plumbing inside the cabinet.

Plaster Trap

Plaster traps are a necessity in any office with a wet model trimmer. Their function is to collect the excess plaster from the model trimmer and prevent the clumpy mess from going down into the drainpipe and causing a clog.

Mounted inside the sink cabinet they either sit on the floor of the cabinet and have a removable lid, or hang underneath the sink down pipe and have a removable bottom.

Older plaster traps are lined with a disposable plastic bag which is replaced each time the trap is cleaned. The newest plaster traps on the market are nothing more than a large plastic pail with a sealed lid. There are two small cutouts in the lid into which flexible hoses are inserted. This style of trap is very quick and easy to change, eliminating the smell and mess usually associated with this maintenance task.

Dental Lathe

Dental lathes are very useful tools. They can be used for shaping, grinding, buffing, and numerous other tasks. Lathes have a chuck mounted on each side of the motor which accept a variety of cutting, grinding, polishing, and buffing bits and wheels.

There are also different styles of chucks available, from the standard chuck, to a power drill style Jacobs chuck, all the way up to the ‘quickchuck’ which uses a clutch and lever to allow you to change accessories without having to turn off the motor.

Dental Micromotor

There are quite a few dental offices which have not purchased a dental micromotor for their lab. Some dentists choose to purchase a hardware store rotary tool for trimming and cutting, but a dedicated micromotor has several advantages. The speed of the motor is controlled by a foot pedal, and the unit has a long, flexible cable leading to the handle. This allows for exceptional control of the cutting tool, resulting in a higher quality end product.

Dental micromotors are also more powerful than hardware store models, and specialized bits and accessories are readily available from your dental supplier.

Vibrator

A dental vibrator is a small piece of equipment containing a shaker motor with a pad on top. They are very useful in ensuring that all of the air bubbles and voids have been worked out of a mold before it sets and ruins the model. These small units are inexpensive and last forever. The vibrator is a very basic piece of equipment with no real extra features to look for.

Dental Vacuformer

A vacuformer is actually two pieces of equipment folded into one. Combining a large heating element and a vacuum machine, they are used to heat a sheet of material (such as bleaching tray or mouthguard material) to make it pliable.

The material is then lowered onto the model, and a vacuum is turned on to form an airtight seal between the material and the mold, creating a perfect match. When choosing between two models, choose the more powerful.

A stronger heating element will come to temperature faster, speeding the process, while a more powerful vacuum will create a tighter seal and a better end product.

With the addition of these few pieces to your practice, you can have a more productive and efficient dental lab equipment department.

Tags: Dental Equipment, dental lab equipment