amazing dental technologies you should be using every day

Are you taking technology for granted? Here's a break down of technology that can help improve your practice and why you should be using it if you're not already.

I was thinking the other day about change. Well, heck, I'm always thinking about change. After all, that's what I do here, right? However, this time it really sort of hit home for me. I was thinking about my "new" office. In December, I will have been in the "new" facility for six years. That means I moved into the new place in 2007! 2007???

That's right, 2007. That's the year that Steve Jobs introduced the first iPhone, Al Gore won the Nobel Peace Prize and the last book in the Harry Potter series was published! So with all of that nostalgia rattling around in my brain, I decided to take a look at some of the technology we have available to us that we, perhaps, take for granted.

For this article, let's take a walk down memory lane and think about some of the amazing devices we use (or should be using) every day.

1. Computers FDI dental

First and foremost is the operatory computer. If you have not yet brought computers into the operatory, what are you waiting for? In addition to all the efficiency it adds to delivering dental care, the computer also creates an amazing patient experience.

We use the computer to deliver Guru patient education, stream in music via Pandora or iHeart radio, watch TV (via cable TV connected to the computer), show movies during long procedures, and some patients even play computer-based games! fdidentist

2. Digital cameras

You can see so much with a good digital SLR camera. Even for procedures such as before-and-after whitening shots, a digital camera is a must-have. Using one to capture a standard series of shots of every new patient is quick and easy.

Digital SLRs are not expensive and provide many benefits. If you think they are difficult to use, remember there are companies that will set them up for you and make them practically "point and shoot," with incredible color and resolution. If you think downloading the photos is too time consuming, buy an Eye-Fi SD card that will automatically transfer your pictures to your computer over your wireless network. Incredible!