Seeing is believing!

by Kim Miller, RDH, BSDH
[email protected]

Have you ever said to a patient, “Let me take a look?” Of course, haven’t we all? Then, because your intraoral camera isn’t working due to some software glitch, or it’s down the hall so another team member can use the equipment, or you just don’t have an intraoral camera, you hand the patient a mirror and attempt to get them to see what you see. Just describing this situation is frustrating! If the patient can’t see the problem, case acceptance is just that much more elusive. With today’s economy and patients fixing only what’s broken, they really need to see what you see; after all, seeing is believing!

DrQuickLook dental viewer to the rescue! This is one of the coolest innovations I’ve seen and had the pleasure to use. When I got my demo unit, I took it right out of the box, turned it on, and my daughter and I used it on each other.

At the dental chair, it’s just as easy to use. I especially love having the patient hold the viewer. There’s just something about the patient participation at this level that creates ownership. When the patient can see images of their teeth on the device they are holding, it becomes very personal.

The viewer has an auto focus feature on the handheld 1.3-megapixel camera. Visualizing the inside of the mouth is easy with the six light-emitting diode (LED) lights on the camera. The auto focus works on objects as small as 3mm. Once the image is captured, you can zoom in to show the patient more detail. The images show up sharp and clear on the full color, LCD screen that measures 3.5 inches diagonally. DrQuickLook will run for approximately four continuous hours. If you average about 10 minutes of use per patient, you can see the charge would easily last through an eight-patient day.

The only drawback to this viewer is you cannot store and print pictures. OK, I can work around that, especially since using the viewer is so simple and quick to use; it’s a great diagnostic tool. We can get an intraoral camera image for the patients’ electronic chart on the day we actually treat the tooth. In the meantime, the viewer is definitely an adjunct to case presentation, helping to increase case acceptance. The cost is reasonable, about as much as a crown. Check out their website at www.drquicklook.com and contact Vince Primarano at (315) 565-4058 for more information.

Eyewear, sensor holder, handpiece

In October 2011, Kerr TotalCare introduced their new Googles Professional protective eyewear. Googles Professional has a durable, permanent, reusable frame with disposable optical grade plastic lenses that help minimize the transmission of infectious materials. The frame and lens are lightweight and comfortable. The eyewear will easily fit over your prescription glasses and wrap around enough to provide side protection. The fog–free replaceable lenses are easy to remove and install and are available in UV amber and tinted versions. The frames are available in four fashionable pearlescent colors: cobalt blue, pearl white, pearlescent pink, and composite gray. Who says cost-effective and disposable can’t look great and be comfortable? For more information, visit kerrtotalcare.com or call (800) 841-1428.

Dentsply Rinn recently announced the launch of the new disposable universal Rinn Uni-Grip 360 digital sensor holder. This is a major redesign of an already popular product. The holder accommodates sizes 0, 1, and 2 digital X-ray sensors and utilizes a movable bite-tab for anterior, posterior, and bitewing radiographs.

The improved design is easier to use with increased positioning range, and accuracy to reduce retakes and patient radiation exposure. For additional information, please contact Jonathan Whiteside at (630) 503-4384 or visit www.RinnCorp.com. To request a free sample of Uni-Grip 360, please visit www.UniGrip.com.

Have you heard about the new Midwest RDH Freedom? This hygiene handpiece is well balanced and lightweight, eliminating cord drag and increasing accessibility in the mouth. The RDH Freedom has an all-day battery, an autoclavable outer sheath, and disposable prophy angles. It also features a wireless foot pedal for optimal speed control, a nonslip grip design and a stable, low-flex connection between the prophy angle and the handpiece, resulting in better comfort for your patient and yourself. Since the RDH Freedom is cordless, it’s easy to move from one treatment room to the next and would be great for hygienists who work in alternate settings. Learn more by visiting www.midwest-rdh.com.

As always, send me information on your favorite product or drop me a note if you have a product you would like me to evaluate. Email me at [email protected].

Kim Miller, RDH, BSDH, is the co-founder of PerioFrogz.com, which provides current oral-systemic research summaries and patient education downloads. She speaks internationally, provides hands-on training, writes articles and webinars, and practices dental hygiene in Redding, Calif. Contact her at [email protected].