Curve Hero- new software with your server on the web

Curve Dental has introduced a web based Practice Management system that is run over the Internet with a simple web browser interface.

As web-based dental software Curve Hero offers advantages over traditional client/server applications with respect to implementation costs, convenience and data security. Because the software only requires a browser and an Internet connection, expensive investments in hardware, servers and IT services are not required. The convenience of the web allows the practice to access patient data from any location at any time, which is more flexible to varying lifestyle preferences. With patient data stored off-site at redundant and secure data centers, the practice is not threatened by theft, natural disaster or local hardware failure, greatly simplifying business continuity and disaster planning.


For more info call 888-910-4376 or visit http://www.curvedental.com/

Droid again

New app for Droid (Blogaway) that apparently allows me to put up a quick blog post. Let's see.......

Another Caries Detection System?

It started with DiagNodent. Then Midwest Caries ID. We have just seen the introduction of Spectra from Air Techniques. We are about to get SoproLife from Acteon. The Canary System from Canada was announced and Lantis Laser has been talking about Optical Coherence Tomography to be arriving any day. Now from Great Britain is CarieScan, which has an LED screen that gives a numerical as well as colored lights to indicate caries. Information can be gotten at www.cariescan.com . I will try and make some sense of all of this soon.

Google to Introduce URL Shortener

Many people use free services like www.tinyurl.com or www.bit.ly in order to compress long url's for use in forwarding, twitter, facebook and the like. Google will be putting their own version up soon. Here is the url
http://www.searchenginejournal.com/introducing-googles-own-url-shortener/15482/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SearchEngineJournal+%28Search+Engine+Journal%29

or in tiny url: http://tinyurl.com/googleshorten

or bit.ly http://bit.ly/googleshorten

It will be called : http://goo.gl/ and is only available right now for "google products".

Droid Gets an Update

On December 11, the Droid received an "Over The Air" update. This changed the front screen with the lock/unlock as well as sound on/off slidebar. It would still be better if all you had to do was click or touch on but it is a bit better. Also noticeable are improvements to the camera. Supposedly the battery usage is improved- I will see about that- I barely get a day out of the battery if I am using it with emails, phone calls, checking twitter, facebook and the like- isn't that what it is supposed to be used for??? I did buy an extra battery and extra travel charger.



There are also a lot of new "apps" although many are pretty bad- there are reviews available right on the Droid "Marketplace" with no holds barred. I have found the horizontal on-screen keyboard to be accurate and actually better than the pull out keyboard. The auto-correction and intelligent word guessing is great, and it learns your common words as you continue to use it and speed up your typing. If there were an option for no keyboard which would make this thinner and lighter I would go for it.



The voice recognition for searching has been very accurate and very helpful if you are driving and want to call someone in your contact list or need directions to the nearest fast food place- just ask it. I guess I am keeping it.

Edgar Garrison will be missed

My good friend and dental icon, Edgar Garrison passed away November 29. When Edgar was at his Garrison Dental Solutions booth or anywhere at a dental meting, he always had a big grin and a large hello to all he knew and those he did not. His sons Tom and John as well as any staff members always carry this attitude which helped in building their successful businesses. I always made it a point to find him no matter how busy I was at a meeting. My staff had the pleasure of meeting him at the ADA San Antonio and still talk about this "charming" man. He will be missed. Some of his life's details are here:

http://www.garrisondental.com/news/elg_112909.cfm

Oral Cancer Might Be Detected In Saliva Test For CD44

Researchers at Univeristy of Miami have found that patients with oral cancer carry a protein called CD44. They have found a method to find its prescence in saliva. At this point more study is of course necessary.
http://cebp.aacrjournals.org/content/14/3/735.abstract
and
http://www.journals.elsevierhealth.com/periodicals/ymhn/article/PIIS0194599801078731/abstract

GNY products- Acteon SoproLife

There were a few new products but Acteon launched its new caries detection system, SoproLife. (Light Induced Fluorescence Evaluator ). Unfortunately the paperwork for approvals for sale ( 510K) did not come in time for the meeting although it is due any day. Thus they could not actually sell this product but could show it. I was lucky enough to get a good look at the IDS in March and have been in touch with the developers in France and have been helping in assessing this product and giving some clinical input. Here is their website with some basic information. I will publish some of my own clinical photos when it is appropriate.

http://www.soprolife.com/

Greater New York Meeting- Part 1

The meeting was a success for the GNY staff but I am not sure the exhibitors were the beneficiaries. There were a number of classes right on the exhibit floor in "fishbowls" that were packed. There was a larger live operatory and an smaller one which also was packed- the large one seemed to have 200 or so seats. I watched a patient receiving some mini implants- the procedure was of course projected on the big screen. There were a myriad of courses that were very well attended- I had a chance to go into a number of rooms as I was helping the Yankee meeting people with some scouting. Thus, the exhibit floor seemed a bit sparser than usual.

From an education standpoint, this is a great step- above and beyond the typical classroom teaching. The big meetings have started to get a little stale and repetitive. Plus online CE has allowed many dentists and dental professionals to get their training ( and credits) from home. The economy for sure has kept spending down a bit and limited expensive travel related expenses. Of course as this year comes to a close, there are tax advantages to make those large purchases right now. In my next post I will go over some of the details of products and people who caught my eye.

Call Center - the movie

As I work around the new Droid I have been in contact with several blogs and user forums. I may have to call support at some time which reminds me of the all time best video on customer support. This video is about 11 minutes long- hysterical.

http://tinyurl.com/callcentermovie

Motorola Verizon Google Droid

I have been a bit jealous watching my non-Verizon friends reporting with glee all about iPhones and the Pre. I was waiting for the Pre- supposedly with Verizon early 2010 as I have been a Palm OS user for years starting with the Sony Clie. Enter the Droid. I have been working with it for 5 days and have yet to figure it all out. No manual- just depending on online blogs and a "sneak" post of the not yet completed manual. The menus are NOT intuitive at all. The slide out keyboard is hard to use, especially the top row which doesn't give enough room between the characters and the slide out rim. The Calendar is hard to use and has limited functions for things like repeating an event for a certain number of days.

HOWEVER- I am keeping it. The graphics are the best I have seen. Using the web browser is a joy. You can multi-task and have several programs running simultaneously (i did find if you that if you forget to stop some the battery gets eaten alive). There is built in GPS. The issues with the calendar (and contact list) are all solved as they immediately synch with the Google online calendar and contacts. They have more functions and frankly, it is easier and faster to use them on the keyboard and monitor than the little keyboards. Oh- the keyboard- i am using the onscreen version- much easier (in landscape mode) than the slide out. It also has a dictionary that allows quick completion of words and updates these as you use them. The apps are a shorter list as it is new and you really have to sort out where the junk is, but a few have been very useful and there are a number of free ones.

The phone is the clearest cell phone I have used and it works great with bluetooth. One final thing (for now). You have the option to use the online services with the Verizon network (there's a Map for that) but you can also tie into any local WiFi network you can find. The browsing speed, which is fine, is lightning fast in those areas.

I have 30 days to return it. More as I learn.

Practiceworks on your iPhone or Blackberry Smart Phone

A revolutionary new software application from PracticeWorks Systems, LLC, equips dental professionals to manage their offices and patient needs remotely from a mobile device by providing real-time information related to common issues and scenarios that providers experience everyday.
The new PEARL module—to be initially available for iPhone and BlackBerry users—enables dentists, oral surgeons and other professionals to confidently make urgent decisions while they are out of the office. They can view and act upon real-time information related to patient and treatment details, scheduling, financials, call-backs, prescriptions and pharmacies, referring providers and more. More info at Dental Economics Dentistry IQ:

http://bit.ly/pwpearl

4 intraoral scanners on one stage

Left to right:
Patterson/Sirona/CEREC AC, 3M LAVA COS, Cadent iTero, Schein E4D

As far as I know, this is the first time all 4 current scan units have been presented together. My course at the Ohio State Dental Meeeting had representatives from each company show how each unit scans and in 2 cases, how to do a restoration design. Despite the fact this is a very competitive marketplace, we were able to make this work as a fantastic educational event. It was NOT a competition. The attendees went off after the class to the respective booths to gain further information. I have to thank the local reps as well as the corporate officials of the various companies who helped me put this together. I intend to put this on again several times in the future.

Spectra Caries Detection Unit Gets FDA Approval

I have had a chance to follow the evolution of this new device from Air Techniques which highlights carious lesions with Fluoroscopy. I will post some images and links next week as I am away in northern Maine struggling to get internet access. For now just go to www.airtechniques.com and look at the Spectra.

Blue Sky Bio-Implants and free planning software

This implant company is giving away implant planning software. It is called Blue Sky Plan and will allow you to design surgical guides. The software can be downloaded on the website and there are tutorials as well as online CE. Blue Sky Bio designs and manufactures implants, although the software is compatible with other brands. http://www.blueskybio.com/

Candy.com sold for $3 Million

This is sort of a dental post- we all love candy-more interesting is a look at the marketplace where domains are bought and sold. The big winner this year was toys.com which sold for over $5 million to ToysRUs. This one was purchased by a couple of cousins, age 23 and 31 who live near me ( I don't know them...yet). They actually have a company http://www.melvillecandycompany.com/ but hope to expand their sphere of influence and their pocketbooks with this one. Hey- if they invested that 3 mil in the market they would have about $1.8 mil now so let it ride guys. A little insight is here: http://tinyurl.com/candyweb

Windows 7 upgrade? Not that simple

According to Walt Mossberg of the Wall Street Journal, only a few Vista products will be able to be upgraded to Windows 7. All others including XP will need a clean install- either wipe out your hard drive, install Win7 and then install all of your programs, etc. OR you may be able to install it with a dual boot situation although that could lead to issues. Here is a link to his article with a very clear chart.

http://tinyurl.com/mosswin7

Fix your iTunes library

A lot of my downloads have incomplete information about what album they came from or are missing cover art. Tune Up Companion is a program that allows you to drag your song into it's window where it cleans up the information and adds the album cover art. The free trial version allows 100 songs- the paid version is unlimited. You can clean songs individually or en masse. Some titles of mine were not in the database and it let me know. Neat little utility. http://www.tuneupmedia.com/

Google Changes Its Display Format?

I did not see any announcement but you will notice some changes when you run a search on google. The logo is now smaller and in the upper left corner. There is a large space in some searches between the top of the page and the first results. There is also a little click area called "Show options" which can really refine your search results. I suspect that empty space will be filled in by some change in Google Adwords or other marketing things but to be honest, I can't find anything posted anywhere on this.

Jay Leno wins Cybersquatting Case

You can't just get a web name and hold it for ransom:

When Guadalupe Zambrano registered his Web site in 2004, he probably thought he'd struck digital 'oil.' The Texas real-estate agent found a domain name that would attract thousands and thousands of users -- thejaylenoshow.com. Just one problem one problem: a certain large-chinned comedian now wants his name back, and it looks like he'll get it, too.

According to Reuters, the World Intellectual Property Organization issued a ruling today that says Zambrano must turn the domain name over to former 'Tonight Show' host Jay Leno within 10 days. The ruling fell under the section of the Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act that makes it illegal for someone to mislead, confuse and steer users to their site. Reuters reports that Leno's 30-year career in entertainment gives him common law trademark rights to his name, and case arbitrator William Towns says Zambrano also registered the site in 'bad faith.'

Mama Dont Take My Kodachrome Away

From thier press release: Eastman Kodak Company announced today that it will retire KODACHROME Color Film this year, concluding its 74-year run as a photography icon... There is only one remaining photofinishing lab in the world – Dwayne’s Photo in Parsons, Kansas – that processes KODACHROME Film. Dwayne’s Photo has indicated it will continue to offer processing for the film through 2010.
I wonder if Paul Simon will write a new song.

Hello Align- what are you up to???

Align has notified all of its users that they must start 10 cases in a year to maintain status with the company. Brilliant, especially in a time when elective services such as adult orthodontics are in a slight decline in this economy. Also, Clear Correct (http://www.clearcorrect.com ) has just made a push into the arena- they (CC) are surely having some growing pains but what better incentive to their investors to give a push. The Internet boards are full of emotional scorching expletives about what Align should do with their company and the future of the business. There are also other alternatives to "traditional" full wire orthodontics like Ryan Swain's (http://www.6monthsmiles.com/) and others, as well as offshore labs that will do the align cases ( illegally ) under the table. I hope Align comes up with a statement soon.

Philips iPill

Quoting Charles Osgood "when you take a pill how does the medicine know where to go?" Philips has developed the "smart pill" - iPill. Read here- I will be checking in with the company for more info.

http://www.research.philips.com/newscenter/backgrounders/081111-ipill.html

The Apprentice- See me On TV

Thanks to Marty Jablow for this nomination

New product summary from IDS- part 1

Finally getting time this weekend to put up the new info from Cologne and Atlanta. I will put it up in pieces as I review my notes. Many of the products that were shown are not yet available in the US- they need either FDA or 510K approval. I have been told not to publish precise info on some of these until the actual launch but I will leave hints around here. This is just from memory:
A new ultrasonic scaler with a calculus detector built in- does a "seek and destroy" as it comes across calculus on the root.
An endo apex locator with "GPS" - you can see the position of the file in the canal on the computer screen, as it transmits with a bluetooth system.
How about a new caries detection system using blue-ray laser technology.
A perio pocket/root canal "sterilization" system using a "special " liquid and red light- clinical studies are showing things like resolved peri-implantitis. Not a laser.
Also in the same vein, Ozone generators that are smaller and apparently safer ( not according to the US I guess).
A mini diode laser under $10K that goes up to 8 watts.
A new method ( actually been around for a year) of testing implant integration using sound waves.
New implants from Spain ( Klockner) with a unique dual morse taper/screw retained design ( just now hitting the US).
Loads of conebeam CT units
Over 80 CAD/CAM systems
One new intraoral scanner- Hint-Els- same unit they showed 2 years aog- still not ready!!
New intraoral digital radiograph sensors- One with only 2 wires and Kevlar coated wire- can be twisted like a pretzel and has a magnetic quick disconnect that works like a tearaway football jersey if inadvertently pulled.
New intraoral sensor with no box- just a wire direct from the sensor to the USB connector ( electronics somehow jammed into the actual sensor.

Details forthcoming here and of course in my column and courses- I am all set with new material for a year!!!

Way Behind in the blog

Over committed, I have just returned from the IDS meeting in Cologne Germany. I left for that meeting one day after I returned from the Hinman meeting in Atlanta. I have a few notes from that wonderful meeting, that I will post this week. IDS was an experience of a lifetime for me professionally. I will have many products to report about, although some are not yet available in the US waiting for 510K and/or FDA approval. Let me get past the jet lag type away here.

One of the greatest pieces of new technology that I used at both of these meeting as well as typing this entry, is thanks to Marty Jablow. It is the Dell Mini 9 laptop. weighing in at about 2 pounds, this gem has a solid state hard drive (only 16 GB) and no CD drive, but enough USB ports as well as an SD card slot to make up the difference in storage. It cost about $320 from delloutlet.com loaded with WinXP (home) and 1 GB RAM. I changed that out to the max 2GB for about $30. (if anyone needs a 1GB laptop memory stick let me know). Wireless works flawlessly and I was able to carry it around in my shoulder bag.
Need sleep.......

Chicago MidWinter Meeting

Let me go over this backwards. Sunday was a bust. Snow started lightly in Chicago and many people left early and skipped the meeting floor.

My 6 PM flight to Manchester NH was cancelled early in the day and I was told I could get out TUESDAY. With a little fussing I was able to get a 4 PM flight to Boston. 2 problems- I had to leave the floor early, thus missing my last dash around to report on new products I had seen earlier, and my car is still in Manchester NH. This is a real problem as it is a Subaru all wheel drive that I will need Monday as we are expecting up to 2 feet of snow overnight. For those of you who did not get out tonight and were headed east, see you Tuesday.

I was hoping to see Mike Williams ( allegedly the inventor of the intraoral camera) who was showing a new 3D monitor that does not require glasses and somehow allows the user to grab the image and manipulate it. Some limited info is at http://www.ifo2.com/

I also missed an introduction to CariFree - a caries risk assessment process that I need to learn more about.

I did see the trimara identifi 3000, the prodrive handpiece system, the ios3d intraoral scanner, a new mouthpiece for isolite, a couple of new intraoral cameras ( air techniques and rfamaerica). an iPhone app for Lexicomp and more. I will proabably have no patients Monday with the snowstorm so perhaps time to post a lot of products here.

coming to Chicago armed with cel phone

Coming to Chicago armed with this cel phone. Hope to blog close to live when I am there. Teaching classses all day Thursday and Friday AM-once I hit the floor Friday afternoon it will be non-stop looking for new and re-aquainting with old.

Disposable electronics?

Every once in a while a gizmo breaks in my house or office. The cost of repairing an old VCR or pair of headphones becomes ridiculous. I recently had to throw out an HP multifunction printer- the cable that runs the print heads had jammed and broken. HP or actually anyone wanted about $200 for a repair IF they could do it. A new, better one was $399 .

Recently my RCA combo VCR/DVD recorder died. No power- no lights. Must be a dead power supply. I checked RCA and the store that I had gotten it from and found it was of course out of warranty and this brand line was actually sold from RCA to another company. I figured I would search for a new one and in the process decided to go to Google and type in " power supply problem RCA VCR/DVD recorder ( and the model #)". Lo and behold there were many posts about a known problem with a capacitor in the power supply. One nice guy from PA had posted "send me an email and I will give free you step by step instructions on how to replace this for under $10"-even an dentist could do this! His underlying message was that we consumers are getting screwed by manufacturers who put out items in a hurry without proper testing and as long as they last 1 year and a day, they are fine.

Thanks to Mike Adams in PA who sent me this info along with some nice things to say about dentistry and his dentist.

New Intraoral Impression Scanner-IOS FastScan

To be introduced at Chicago MW and viewed in the Glidewell booth. http://www.ios3d.com/ . You hold it in one position and the light moves and scans. It can also scan impressions. Lots more info and video on the site. The product is still in final revisions so it is not just yet commercially available. More reports after I see it in 2 weeks.

New Oral Cancer Screening Device-Identafi 3000

This is from the press release. I will be using this device in ,my office as soon as it is available and report here. Info is at :http://www.trimira.net/

Houston-based Trimira™ LLC has introduced Identafi™ 3000, a small, cordless, handheld device that can detect oral cancer. The device uses a three-wavelength optical illumination and visualization system to allow dental professionals to catch early cancers not visible to the naked eye. This effective and affordable device will aid in early detection of oral cancer. Identafi 3000 uses white, violet, and amber wavelengths of light to excite oral tissue in distinct and unique ways. Biochemical changes can be monitored with fluorescence, while morphological changes can be monitored with reflectance. This multiple wavelength technology identifies abnormal tissue with more accuracy than the single color approaches currently on the market.

No More 3 Ring Circus

Click Ray has introduced a universal xray ( sensor, PSP or film) positioning system called ClickStick. Info is at http://www.clickray.com/ It will be officially introduced at the Chicago Midwinter meeting.

Posting from Cel Phone

I can now post from my cel phone. This can be dangerous.

Yankee Dental review

The feeling of the meeting planners is that this was a success. The many commuting and parking issues of last year seemed to have been resolved. Floor traffic was heavy at the times that the courses were let out- there seemed to be a 3 hour window mid-day that flooded the floor. The complaints were actually directed more at the convention center location and comparisons to the "old location". Since this center is not in the middle of downtown, you have to commute to get to shopping and restaurants. Strangely, this is the same setup as other meetings such as Chicago MW, but the attendees from years past miss that immediacy of walking out of the front door of the Hynes and strolling down Newbury Street.

There were always lines of waiting people at the magnification/loupes/headlights booths down to the closing bell- perhaps I will revisit this area as dentists, assistants and hygienists I spoke with all felt an urgency for these.
There were some innovative new handpieces- air, electric, "hybrids" and even hygiene. Notable were the Midwest stylus electric controlled air handpiece that uses feedback to maintain constant speed even when the bur is leaned on. Morita showed a unique "dual turbine" design with a 2 year warranty that, at least cutting at the show, was quite robust. Kavo had a new hybrid although i did not have a chance to review it. Electrics will surely increase their presence.
A number of web based companies all promise getting you at the top of the search engines, all stating they had deals with Google. Pricing ran a wide spread. Something again to investigate here. Also new ideas of patient contact- Smile Reminder has a clever video setup that puts your patients testimonials online. Lighthouse PLZ has an incredible array of tools to keep you in contact with your patients. Too many to list here- they will all be noted on my website online handout with the live links at http://www.computersindentistry.com/

More posting later.

Exxon Mobil posts record profits

I digress for a minute here- this should raise a few eyebrows in this tough economic time:

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Exxon Mobil made history on Friday by reporting the highest quarterly and annual profits ever for a U.S. company, boosted in large part by soaring crude prices.
Exxon, the world's largest publicly traded oil company, said fourth-quarter net income rose 14% to $11.66 billion, or $2.13 per share. The company earned $10.25 billion, or $1.76 per share, in the year-ago period.

Exxon also set an annual profit record by earning $40.61 billion last year - or nearly $1,300 per second in 2007. That exceeded its previous record of $39.5 billion in 2006.

Yankee Day One- CEREC AC

Had a full demo of the new CEREC AC with the CEREC Bluecam . I was able to scan a full arch in about 3 minutes the first time through- Probably could get it down to 2 minutes and a lot less if it were just a quadrant. A few notable features. It only has to be positioned from the occlusal unless there is a veneer. You move it across the teeth in steps, however instead of hitting a foot pedal or clicking anything, it does it automatically and you move it to the next spot. We were able to start a scan from upper right (#2) through #8, then stop and start at the other end of the arch, #15 and work around from the other side. As soon as we hit #8 the whole arch was "stitched together".
BIG NEWS. The computer keeps track of each click. You can remove any section ( click area) and redo it at any time. This is HUGE if you had done a scan, look a the prep and decide it needs any modification. Reprep, delete the click area, rescan just that area ( the prep for example) and you are back in business.
Sirona also has many purchase options- some based on a "pay per case" basis. You can get into the acquisition unit for export to an "IN-Lab Lab" for under $25,000, with the small milling unit for about $60,000 all the way up to an outright purchase with the XL milling center for about $120,000. Info is at http://www.cereconline.com

Yankee dental preview

A snowstorm is on its way Wednesday which might cause some attendees and exhibitors to arrive late. Should all be over by the evening. My friend Lorne Lavine is presenting the first of his 5 courses Wednesday afternoon. Might not be a full house...

Yankee Dental 2009

This week is Yankee dental in Boston. They are already predicting snow. It is in the new Convention center. Last year had many challenges, mostly having to do with transportation to and from the center. The reality is that there is heavy traffic in Boston and it is not easy to get across town. Also there were no real facilities near the center- only 1 hotel ( Westin) really in walking distance. Yankee has made sure that only attendees and no exhibitors can register in the Westin. I also believe that they are serving lunch in the exhibit hall ( free???). I will get in Wednesday night- lets see how they do this year.

Welcome 2009

I have tried setting up a blog before and seem to get easily sidetracked. New Year, new try. I hope to be as prolific as my mentors John Flucke and Marty Jablow who seem to be able to post any time any where. Also Lorne Lavine who has an endless supply of helpful hints that clog up my list of programs on my PC ;-) . In some cases I will get info from other blogs and rss feeds. I will always acknowledged these. Wish me luck.

Paul