OK. This is frustrating. I have been practicing dentistry for over 30 years and today something happened that just made me stop and think about why I bother to be the best I can be.
A new patient got the name of my laboratory and actually called them, made believe she was a dentist and asked for the lab fee for a specific procedure. She then called me and explained that she was going elsewhere because she felt my profit was too high.
This young lady had no idea what it really costs to practice dentistry. She actually believed that my fee less the lab cost was pure profit. She did not take into account equipment leases and loans, staff salaries, rent, electric and phone, dental supplies, insurance etc. She had no idea that dentistry is really a low profit profession and that most dentists just do OK. No complaints but no millionaires either.
She also had no idea that most dentists do not spend 1/3 of what I do on my lab. This lab, at $350 a unit, is at least two or three times what other dentists pay for what she thought was the same product. This is just nuts.
It's about time that patients understand that not all crowns are the same just because the guy or lady doing it has a dental degree. Not all dentistry is the same and certainly not all dentists are rich beyond imagination. It's about time patients began to appreciate the time and effort some, not all, dentists spend in an effort to be the best they can be in a profession that gets little if any respect. Yes, we know you don't hate us, you just hate dentistry.
But next time try to think a bit about the amount of education, investment, time and sweat that goes into the treatment of even the best of patients (and certainly most patients are not all that great) and give your dentist a break. Evaluate the service and don't think that cheap is just as good. Because I can guarantee you that cheap is never better. Expensive doesn't always buy the best, but certainly the odds are in your favor.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Porcelain Veneers or Lumineers?
Just finished placing 8 Lumineers on a patient that just didn't want her teeth drilled. This is a perfect case for Lumineers, no prep or very little prep veneers.
A veneer is basically a fake porcelain front for a tooth, much like placing fake fingernails on a woman's finger tips. Veneers are made of porcelain and can be used to make changes in the shade of your teeth, chips and cracks, spaces and many other dental issues facing many people who just want a beautiful smile.
Traditional veneers require about .5 mm of tooth reduction. This process is not reversible since tooth structure has been removed. Lumineers, or no/little prep veneers, are more reversible since little or no tooth structure is removed. With these paper thin veneers, tremendous cosmetic changes can be made in just two simple visits with no anesthesia and no temporary veneers to worry about between visits.
The first step in this process is computerized imaging to determine the patient's true cosmetic needs. Next a custom waxup is done to allow the doctor and patient to make any changes they believe necessary prior to the actual fabrication of the veneers. Finally a shade for your new smile is determined.
On your second visit the veneers are bonded to place. With traditional veneers you will need to have temporary veneers placed between visits. With Lumineers, no temporaries are required since no tooth structure is removed.
Depending upon your particular Smile requirements, one or the other of these two processes may be required. The only way to find out is to give us a call at 516 741.1230.
Dental Spa Video Library
For those patients that need a visual reference when educating themselves about their dental problems, we have created a Dental Spa Video Library. This library, developed by OraSphere, can be found at http://ganzdental.dentalpatienteducation.com.
Looking for Pet Peeves
For the past two or more years I have been compiling a list of Pet Peeves, those pesky things that occur daily that just drive us nuts. Things such as slow drivers in the fast lane, deli counter workers who wear just "one" glove and so on. I am hoping to put these Pet Peeves into a book and then have all that contribute to appear as the authors on the cover of the book once it is published.
Anyone interested in providing a Pet Peeve please send them to drg@ganzdental.com. If they are suitable for publishing, you may just see your name listed as an author when this book gets published. The funnier the better....
Anyone interested in providing a Pet Peeve please send them to drg@ganzdental.com. If they are suitable for publishing, you may just see your name listed as an author when this book gets published. The funnier the better....
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Free Websites
Had an interesting experience yesterday. I wanted to find a new IP to house my http://www.ganzdental.com/ website. In my search for this new home I found OfficeLive. This is a Microsoft product that will provide a FREE website and FREE URL for anyone interested in creating a new website. Having nothing to do I decided to create http://dentalspagardencity.com/.
Using their online software it took me about two hours to create a five page website. The software is pretty intuitive and caused me only a small bit of frustration. You just have to work through some minor issues and then poof, in twenty four hours your new website is live. Kind of cool...
Getting their AdWords manager to work was a totally different issue. I could not provide a username that satisfied their requirements. I tried everything under the sun with no success. So I gave up for today. I will, however, try again tomorrow and report back if it works.
Anyway, if you want a FREE website give OfficeLive.com a try. You can reach my new site at http://www.dentalspagardencity.com/.
Using their online software it took me about two hours to create a five page website. The software is pretty intuitive and caused me only a small bit of frustration. You just have to work through some minor issues and then poof, in twenty four hours your new website is live. Kind of cool...
Getting their AdWords manager to work was a totally different issue. I could not provide a username that satisfied their requirements. I tried everything under the sun with no success. So I gave up for today. I will, however, try again tomorrow and report back if it works.
Anyway, if you want a FREE website give OfficeLive.com a try. You can reach my new site at http://www.dentalspagardencity.com/.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
What is a Dental Spa?
Every day we are asked what is The Dental Spa at Garden City. The simple answer is a dental office created with the same concern about customer comfort as other spas. For too long, dental offices were dedicated to providing quality dental care in an environment that sort of suited the doctor and staff. Now, don't get me wrong, that is important but equally or possibly more important is the comfort of the patient.
The Dental Spa at Garden City, the private practice of Cary Ganz DDS, was created many years ago, before it became a buzz word in the profession, to provide our patients with the kind of office they wanted. When you enter our office you find a dedicated reception room with large screen LCD TV, Wireless Hot Spots for Internet Connection with a patient dedicated Tablet Computer. Within our reception room is a Comfort Center with all kinds of fresh coffee and tea as well as our Spa Bakery which has a different fresh baked offering each and every day. Our reception room is also different in that it only has four comfortable chairs. There really is no need for more since we take being on time extremely seriously and also use longer, more structured appointments to insure that patients not only are taken on time but also are completed on time as well.
Moving on into our office you will find the decor to be similar to that you will find in a typical spa. Lots of soft, warm colors fill the hallways with fresh flowers and plants adorning every corner. Aroma therapy is used to mask the unfortunate odors of most dental material.s
Our treatment rooms have personalized TVs, music selections via iTunes and noise reduction headsets. Patients can request their favorite music and we will download it the night before for their listening pleasure. They can also choose to participate in a warm paraffin hand massage, use our eye or neck pillows and specially designed headrests or even our massage chairs.
Every patient leaves with a taste of our daily baked offering and some special gifts in a terrific little carrying case.
Being special has become the signature of our office and we are adding new and exciting ideas daily.
The Dental Spa at Garden City, the private practice of Cary Ganz DDS, was created many years ago, before it became a buzz word in the profession, to provide our patients with the kind of office they wanted. When you enter our office you find a dedicated reception room with large screen LCD TV, Wireless Hot Spots for Internet Connection with a patient dedicated Tablet Computer. Within our reception room is a Comfort Center with all kinds of fresh coffee and tea as well as our Spa Bakery which has a different fresh baked offering each and every day. Our reception room is also different in that it only has four comfortable chairs. There really is no need for more since we take being on time extremely seriously and also use longer, more structured appointments to insure that patients not only are taken on time but also are completed on time as well.
Moving on into our office you will find the decor to be similar to that you will find in a typical spa. Lots of soft, warm colors fill the hallways with fresh flowers and plants adorning every corner. Aroma therapy is used to mask the unfortunate odors of most dental material.s
Our treatment rooms have personalized TVs, music selections via iTunes and noise reduction headsets. Patients can request their favorite music and we will download it the night before for their listening pleasure. They can also choose to participate in a warm paraffin hand massage, use our eye or neck pillows and specially designed headrests or even our massage chairs.
Every patient leaves with a taste of our daily baked offering and some special gifts in a terrific little carrying case.
Being special has become the signature of our office and we are adding new and exciting ideas daily.
Habeas Corpus - We're Losing Our Constitutional Rights One by One
I just heard something on the radio that blows my mind (pardon the expression). Last year the Republican Congress voted for the Military Authorization bill (the name of the bill may be wrong) that provides for, among other things, the removal of Habeas Corpus for people living in the U.S. but who are not necessarily U.S. citizens as well as allowing this President to allow torture and removes criminal prosecution for those committing torture. This is absolutely nuts.
What is worse is that we hear nothing about this from our new Democratic Congress. They are more concerned about Alberto Gonzales than the Constitution. Now I am all in favor of removing this horrendous AG but let's deal with issues that can possibly destroy our way of life. Invading the Constitution by allowing this military bill to survive paves the way for additional invasion and the possibility of a loss of other freedoms. This has got to stop.
I for one am watching our Democratic leaders (note the lack of a capital L) to see how they respond. If they don't, I plan to leave the Democratic party and start thinking Independent. Now I truly understand that right now I am the only one reading this blog. It feels good though laying this out in writing and placing it on the web for someone else to see. If it affects just one other person and they affect another, then I have done my job.
What is worse is that we hear nothing about this from our new Democratic Congress. They are more concerned about Alberto Gonzales than the Constitution. Now I am all in favor of removing this horrendous AG but let's deal with issues that can possibly destroy our way of life. Invading the Constitution by allowing this military bill to survive paves the way for additional invasion and the possibility of a loss of other freedoms. This has got to stop.
I for one am watching our Democratic leaders (note the lack of a capital L) to see how they respond. If they don't, I plan to leave the Democratic party and start thinking Independent. Now I truly understand that right now I am the only one reading this blog. It feels good though laying this out in writing and placing it on the web for someone else to see. If it affects just one other person and they affect another, then I have done my job.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
What's Going on in the Crazy World?
OK. I just had to post some political comments knowing that it might create some comments on both sides. But, what is going on in this crazy world. There is no question that the majority of Americans are in favor of at least shortening thei miserable war, hate the idea of being snooped upon (NSA scandal), don't understand why they need to balance their checkbooks when the government has carte blanche to do with its checkbook as it pleases and the list goes on and on.
When will this stop? When will the politicians that we supposedly elected understand that regardless of which animal they represent (donkey or elephant) that they really represent us, the people that put them into office? When will they understand that we need to be sure that our needs are met before we meet the needs they concock of others?
I am a Democrat. I am a sort of liberal with a slight Conservative slant. But I am on the fringe of leaving the party that I have voted for over the years if they don't have the stomach for a fight. This new funding bill that has absolutely no teeth in it (I had to add a dental metaphor) is, in my mind, a failure on their part to represent the will of their constituents. If they choose to bow to the will of an administration that has failed in everything they have done, then they are no better than the party they replaced. It is about time to stop the insanity and begin the healing. Let's spend the $400 billion on healthcare, a cure for cancer, homes for the displaced in New Orleans etc. When is this going to stop?
When will this stop? When will the politicians that we supposedly elected understand that regardless of which animal they represent (donkey or elephant) that they really represent us, the people that put them into office? When will they understand that we need to be sure that our needs are met before we meet the needs they concock of others?
I am a Democrat. I am a sort of liberal with a slight Conservative slant. But I am on the fringe of leaving the party that I have voted for over the years if they don't have the stomach for a fight. This new funding bill that has absolutely no teeth in it (I had to add a dental metaphor) is, in my mind, a failure on their part to represent the will of their constituents. If they choose to bow to the will of an administration that has failed in everything they have done, then they are no better than the party they replaced. It is about time to stop the insanity and begin the healing. Let's spend the $400 billion on healthcare, a cure for cancer, homes for the displaced in New Orleans etc. When is this going to stop?
Avandia and Possible Increased Risk of Heart Attack
Avandia, a widely used diabetes pill may raise the risk of heart attacks and possibly death, according to a scientific analysis that reveals what some experts are calling another Vioxx-like example of the government failing to protect the public from an unsafe drug.
More than 6 million people worldwide have taken the drug, sold as Avandia and Avandamet, since it came on the market eight years ago to help control blood sugar in people with the most common form of diabetes. About 1 million Americans use it now.
Probably a good idea to speak with your physician regarding possible alternatives should you be taking Avandia to control your Diabetes.
More than 6 million people worldwide have taken the drug, sold as Avandia and Avandamet, since it came on the market eight years ago to help control blood sugar in people with the most common form of diabetes. About 1 million Americans use it now.
Probably a good idea to speak with your physician regarding possible alternatives should you be taking Avandia to control your Diabetes.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Our Website Has Changed
Thanks to some help from friends in the business we have changed our website to make it load more quickly, be more user friendly and allow everyone to navigate to the areas they need to find more easily. Two sets of navigation tools are available on the homepage. One horizontal and the other vertical. Each has its own set of links that the visitor will find helpful in researching information about our office, our services apnd our concept of dental practice.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Take Your Smile for a Test Drive
We just had a patient, a young girl, that needs to have her entire upper jaw restored. Not important right now why, but take it for granted that the restoration of every upper tooth is necessary not only for aesthetic reasons but more so for proper function.
Her chief concern was "what will I look like". She had specific requests and even brought pictures of herself to show exactly what she was looking to accomplish. Our promise to her was that we would do everything possible to achieve these lofty goals.
Our first step in this process is a cosmetic imaging of her existing teeth. This is accomplished by taking good digital photographs, completing a prescription and then sending this via the Internet to SmileVision. SmileVision has a team of artists that will transfer the image we send to them and create the smile our patient has always wanted. We can then show the before and after and make any changes necessary to satisfy our hopeful patient.
This technique can go a long way to provide the kind of communication necessary between doctor and patient that can insure the results necessary to satisfy our patient.
Guesswork just never works!
Her chief concern was "what will I look like". She had specific requests and even brought pictures of herself to show exactly what she was looking to accomplish. Our promise to her was that we would do everything possible to achieve these lofty goals.
Our first step in this process is a cosmetic imaging of her existing teeth. This is accomplished by taking good digital photographs, completing a prescription and then sending this via the Internet to SmileVision. SmileVision has a team of artists that will transfer the image we send to them and create the smile our patient has always wanted. We can then show the before and after and make any changes necessary to satisfy our hopeful patient.
This technique can go a long way to provide the kind of communication necessary between doctor and patient that can insure the results necessary to satisfy our patient.
Guesswork just never works!
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Online Registration Now Available
One of the advantages of being an ASP Internet based software user is the ability for our patients to complete their registration forms online . This process online can save time in the office filling out all of those nagging forms manually. It also allows the patient to relax prior to their dental visit instead of having to concentrate on all of the minutia necessary in completing the registration forms.
We have also installed a tablet computer in our reception room for those patients that do not have a computer available to them at home and still want to complete their forms online while in the office. The process is really simple and automatically updates our management software instantaneously.
The paperless office all dentists have looked for is almost here. Stay tuned for future updates on this exciting new development.
We have also installed a tablet computer in our reception room for those patients that do not have a computer available to them at home and still want to complete their forms online while in the office. The process is really simple and automatically updates our management software instantaneously.
The paperless office all dentists have looked for is almost here. Stay tuned for future updates on this exciting new development.
Online Registration Now Available
One of the advantages of being an ASP Internet based software user is the ability for our patients to complete their registration forms online . This process online can save time in the office filling out all of those nagging forms manually. It also allows the patient to relax prior to their dental visit instead of having to concentrate on all of the minutia necessary in completing the registration forms.
We have also installed a tablet computer in our reception room for those patients that do not have a computer available to them at home and still want to complete their forms online while in the office. The process is really simple and automatically updates our management software instantaneously.
The paperless office all dentists have looked for is almost here. Stay tuned for future updates on this exciting new development.
We have also installed a tablet computer in our reception room for those patients that do not have a computer available to them at home and still want to complete their forms online while in the office. The process is really simple and automatically updates our management software instantaneously.
The paperless office all dentists have looked for is almost here. Stay tuned for future updates on this exciting new development.
Monday, May 14, 2007
A Great New Camera
From time to time a really cool product comes along that needs to be mentioned. Being a tech nut I tend to buy most things early on in the life of that particular product. So beware if you venture forth but so far the SupaCam DVi has been terrific. It is a 12 megapixel digital camera, a video camera, an MP3 player and a Voice Recorder. The nice part about the camera is the use of SD cards to store the data. With a 4 Gig SD card you can store about 3-4 hours of video. Change the SD card and continue shooting. Additionally if you want to start taking video all you do is click on a button on the toggle switch, need to take a digital photo just click on the opposite side of the toggle switch and take your photo. So often we find ourselves in a position where we are taking a video and need to capture a still photo right away. This slick little camera does it very well.
The DVi has a wonderful flip up screen that turns the camera on in a matter of seconds when it is flipped into position. Transfer your avi files or photos to the computer using the included USB cable. It even comes with a wireless remote.
Now the best part is the price. $299. For more info go to www.supacam.com
Please remember I just go this camera at the CDA meeting and have only recently started using it. So if you are adventurous and a bit of a techy this camera may just be for you.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Dear Mr. President
Something was sent to me today that everyone should listen to and pass onto anyone they truly care about. It's Pink's song about our country and the way this administration has driven us to total dispair. This blog is not only a dental palce to provide and obtain dental health information. It should be a forum for commentary and discussion about what affects us all. This four minute song seems to state it very accurately...at least in my opinion. I hope everyone listens and learns so that this does not happen again.
To listen to the video click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lB_j5-Z2c78
To listen to the video click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lB_j5-Z2c78
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Our May Newsletter is Now Available
Anyone interested in obtaining complimentary copies of our monthly Handz of Ganz newsletter can join our newsletter group by going to http://www.ganzdental.com, scrolling to the bottom of the pages and filling out the brief form. All of your information will be kept totally confidential. Additionally you will find numerous other publications in our library located at http://www.ganzdental.com/our_library.htm that may be of interest to you as well.
Are Dental Implants Successful
We've recently had some patients inquire about the success of dental implants. Now it's been quite a long time since osseointegration, the implant technology utilized today by most dentists, was introduced to the profession. Based upon a reading of all of the literature, or at least as much as I can find time to read, it appears that implant dentistry is doing just fine. Success rates as published are somewhat different depending upon the area of the mouth, the implant system and reporting mechanism, the practitioner placing the implants, the dentist restoring the implants and the patient's health. All of these factors contribute to the success or failure of any particular implant.
However, if one can generalize, and we all do, implant dentistry today is one of the most successful modalities we can provide to our patients. Rates as high as 98 - 99% have been reported and personally, I have experienced so few failures over the years that I feel totally comfortable recommending this service whenever the situation arises.
For more information I would suggest the following: http://www.perio.org/consumer/2m.htm and http://www.dentistry.uiowa.edu/public/oral/implant.html. A search on Google for dental implant success rates will provide a wealth of information and help anyone in determining if dental implant are for them.
However, if one can generalize, and we all do, implant dentistry today is one of the most successful modalities we can provide to our patients. Rates as high as 98 - 99% have been reported and personally, I have experienced so few failures over the years that I feel totally comfortable recommending this service whenever the situation arises.
For more information I would suggest the following: http://www.perio.org/consumer/2m.htm and http://www.dentistry.uiowa.edu/public/oral/implant.html. A search on Google for dental implant success rates will provide a wealth of information and help anyone in determining if dental implant are for them.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Your Dental/Medical Health
Scientists at the Virginia Commonwealth University have decoded the genome of a bacteria normally present in the oral cavity of a healthy individual. It typically resides in the plaque that forms on teeth. This bacteria, in an individual with preexisting heart problems, can lead to a potentially problematic condition known as Bacterial Endocarditis. Research can now be done to provide treatment that heretofore might not have been possible prior to this discovery.
On another note, Periodontal Disease has been found to be a possible contributor to Pre-Diabetes, a condition manifested by an increase in blood glucose just below the threshold for a diagnosis of Diabetes.
On another note, Periodontal Disease has been found to be a possible contributor to Pre-Diabetes, a condition manifested by an increase in blood glucose just below the threshold for a diagnosis of Diabetes.
Compromise Never Works
Today I had the experience of interviewing a patient that just had a partial reconstruction done just three weeks ago. Now, I am not commenting on what the previous dentist did because he really had no choice, or at least not a good choice. His treatment decision was based upon the patient's pocketbook which always leads to some kind of compromise. In this case the compromise was huge.
The patient presented with what we tend to think of as a "roller coaster" type occlusal plane. Instead of restoring both the upper and lower jaw to correct this issue, this dentist conceded and restored only one jaw to fit the other resulting in basically a total mess. The patient now needs to have the entire reconstruction redone at an even greater cost or else live with the compromise.
This problem is not unusual. Dentists are often faced with this situation and have to try to work around a myriad of problems. Patients, unfortunately, do not very often understand these complexities and think that they will be just fine. Very often this is not the case and the patient finds out too late. I would suggest that in the future both dentist and patient fully discuss not only the treatment options but are realistic when discussing major compromise. In dentistry like parachute manufacturing compromise just never works.
The patient presented with what we tend to think of as a "roller coaster" type occlusal plane. Instead of restoring both the upper and lower jaw to correct this issue, this dentist conceded and restored only one jaw to fit the other resulting in basically a total mess. The patient now needs to have the entire reconstruction redone at an even greater cost or else live with the compromise.
This problem is not unusual. Dentists are often faced with this situation and have to try to work around a myriad of problems. Patients, unfortunately, do not very often understand these complexities and think that they will be just fine. Very often this is not the case and the patient finds out too late. I would suggest that in the future both dentist and patient fully discuss not only the treatment options but are realistic when discussing major compromise. In dentistry like parachute manufacturing compromise just never works.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
One Step Closer to a Paperless Office
Very cool. I just received my new Microtek ScanWizard Scanner with a 100 page ADF (Automatic Document Feeder). My staff can now, finally, take all of the paper in our overflowing charts and start to scan them into patient folders in PaperPort for the time being. Being a Denticon user, I am waiting for the ability to do this directly into Denticon. This should be happening in the very near future.
Another new product is OrthoProof USA. This company will scan your preliminary impressions and create a three dimensional digital model viewable on the Internet or in your office. Still a bit costly at around $29.95 but worth it in certain circumstances. Once this becomes main line hopefully the cost will come down where we can start scanning ALL of our impressions and stop storing these models in space in our office that should be used for other purposes.
Another new product is OrthoProof USA. This company will scan your preliminary impressions and create a three dimensional digital model viewable on the Internet or in your office. Still a bit costly at around $29.95 but worth it in certain circumstances. Once this becomes main line hopefully the cost will come down where we can start scanning ALL of our impressions and stop storing these models in space in our office that should be used for other purposes.
Monday, May 7, 2007
Changes In Premedication for Dentistry
The current practice of giving patients antibiotics prior to a dental procedure is no longer recommended EXCEPT for patients with the highest risk of adverse outcome resulting from endocarditis.
Those people at highest risk include those with:
1. Prosthetic cardiac valve
2. Previous endocarditis
3. Congenital heart disease for these conditions: – Unrepaired cyanotic congenital heart disease, including palliative shunts and conduits – Completely repaired congenital heart disease with prosthetic material or device either by surgery or catheter intervention during the first six months after the procedure – Repaired congenital heart disease with residual defects at the site or adjacent to the site of a prosthetic patch or prosthetic device (which inhibit endothelialization)
4. Cardiac transplantation recipients who develop cardiac valve abnormalities
The American Heart Association has concluded that an exceedingly small number of cases, if any, of endocarditis may be prevented by giving antibiotics prior to a dental procedure. If such benefit from prophylaxis exists, it should be reserved ONLY for those patients at highest risk (listed above) who would have the worst outcomes if they contract endocarditis.
The American Heart Association recognizes the importance of good oral and dental health including regular brushing and flossing and regular visits to the dentist for patients at risk of endocarditis.
The American Heart Association no longer recommends administering antibiotics solely to prevent endocarditis in patients who undergo a GI or GU tract procedure.
Some Exciting Technology Freebies
On my way back from the CDA Ihad a chance to read the latest PCWorld. Lots of time on the plane so I decided to take advantage and see what I can find to use in my office that has the benefit of being FREE. So here is a brief list of some exciting components that may be of use in either your professional or personal life.
1. Google Desktop - (desktop.google.com) this is a free desktop application that allows similar search capability as Google Internet but now it searches your hard drive as well. Fast, accurate and a real time saver.
2. Zoho - (www.zoho.com) - This site provides a FREE alternative to Microsoft Office and also have the advantage of being a browser web based program. With this software you can not only write documents like Word, create presentations like PowerPoint and spreadsheets like Excel but you can share them with others avoiding emailing attachments etc.
3. Google Blogger - (www.blogger.com) - no more needs to be said. If you don't have your own blog you're just living in the last century. Google makes it easy to set up and even easier to get because it's FREE. Every dental practice should have a blog where they can share ideas, new services with their patients.
4. SPresent - (www.spresent.com) - is another FREE presentation tool like PowerPoint. It has the advantage, like Zoho, of being abelt to be shared and linked to your website.
5. Don't have a website, then try PageFlakes (www.pageflakes.com). Not like other website creators but rather it creates a Webtop. Take a look, you have nothing to lose...it's FREE.
More at another time.
1. Google Desktop - (desktop.google.com) this is a free desktop application that allows similar search capability as Google Internet but now it searches your hard drive as well. Fast, accurate and a real time saver.
2. Zoho - (www.zoho.com) - This site provides a FREE alternative to Microsoft Office and also have the advantage of being a browser web based program. With this software you can not only write documents like Word, create presentations like PowerPoint and spreadsheets like Excel but you can share them with others avoiding emailing attachments etc.
3. Google Blogger - (www.blogger.com) - no more needs to be said. If you don't have your own blog you're just living in the last century. Google makes it easy to set up and even easier to get because it's FREE. Every dental practice should have a blog where they can share ideas, new services with their patients.
4. SPresent - (www.spresent.com) - is another FREE presentation tool like PowerPoint. It has the advantage, like Zoho, of being abelt to be shared and linked to your website.
5. Don't have a website, then try PageFlakes (www.pageflakes.com). Not like other website creators but rather it creates a Webtop. Take a look, you have nothing to lose...it's FREE.
More at another time.
Just Got Back from the CDA
Welcome to The Dental Spa at Garden City Blog. This past weekend I had the pleasure of attending the California Dental Association meeting in Anaheim Calif. THe weather was great, the people were fantastic and the meeting was as always, exciting.
I have the unusual advantage of looking at dental meetings from two perspectives, a dentist and a manufacturer. This gives me a different view of the dental meeting and allows me to obtain a great deal of information that might be missed by the casual attendee.
This year there appears to be a greater ineterest in technology with the introduction of such products as Itero, a impressionless digital impressioning system and several companies that are truly looking to provide the dentist with the paperless solution. Seems like these companies finally see that getting rid of some of the stresses in the dental office might also make for a marketable product while at the same time making the dentist a much happier individual.
As always there were numerous glove companies, lots of tooth brushes and other types of hygiene products as well. One of the exciting parts of this visit was the purchase of a new digital video/single shot camera from one of the vendors. Now all was not roses! I got home and the camera just wouldn't work. What a bummer. But, I called the company and they assured me that they would be sending me a new one today. If that truly happens, then this company, who shall remain nameless for now, goes on my list of good guys.
Well, that all for now. I hope that someone actually gets to read this blog, responds to it and we can then open a dialogue on all of the various aspects of dentistry from not only the dentist's perspective but hopefully patients and manufacturers as well.
I have the unusual advantage of looking at dental meetings from two perspectives, a dentist and a manufacturer. This gives me a different view of the dental meeting and allows me to obtain a great deal of information that might be missed by the casual attendee.
This year there appears to be a greater ineterest in technology with the introduction of such products as Itero, a impressionless digital impressioning system and several companies that are truly looking to provide the dentist with the paperless solution. Seems like these companies finally see that getting rid of some of the stresses in the dental office might also make for a marketable product while at the same time making the dentist a much happier individual.
As always there were numerous glove companies, lots of tooth brushes and other types of hygiene products as well. One of the exciting parts of this visit was the purchase of a new digital video/single shot camera from one of the vendors. Now all was not roses! I got home and the camera just wouldn't work. What a bummer. But, I called the company and they assured me that they would be sending me a new one today. If that truly happens, then this company, who shall remain nameless for now, goes on my list of good guys.
Well, that all for now. I hope that someone actually gets to read this blog, responds to it and we can then open a dialogue on all of the various aspects of dentistry from not only the dentist's perspective but hopefully patients and manufacturers as well.
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