Seeing is believing!

by Kimberly Miller, RDH, BSDH

Doctor, have you ever said to a patient, “Let me take a quick look”? Then you pick up your intraoral camera to show the patient the problem, and it isn’t working due to some software glitch, or team members are already using the cameras? Or perhaps you simply don’t have one, so you hand the patient a mirror and attempt to get him or her to see what you see. Just describing this situation is frustrating, not to mention that if the patient can’t see the problem, case acceptance is just that much more elusive. With today’s economic challenges and patients putting off their dental care, they really need to see what you see because, after all, seeing is believing!

DrQuickLook™ dental viewer to the rescue! This is one of the coolest innovations I’ve seen in a long time. When I received my demo unit, I took it right out of the box, turned it on, and used it. At the dental chair, it’s just that easy! The viewer is designed for the patient to hold, almost like a steering wheel. There is a natural curve on the sides of the viewer for patients to wrap their fingers around, and natural thumb rests on the front so patients are very comfortable and relaxed while holding the viewer. In my experience, patient participation at this level creates ownership. Because patients can see images of their teeth on the device they’re holding in their hands, it becomes very personal and very real, very fast.

The viewer has an autofocus feature on the handheld 1.3-megapixel camera with six light-emitting diodes (LEDs), making it easy to visualize the inside of the mouth. The autofocus works on objects as small as 3 mm. Once the image is captured, you can zoom in three times to show a patient more detail. The images show up sharp and clear on the full-color LCD screen, which measures 3.5” diagonally. DrQuickLook will run for approximately four continuous hours.

The only drawback to this viewer is it cannot store and print pictures. OK, I think we can work around that, especially since using the viewer is so simple and quick; it’s a great diagnostic tool. With this lightweight, portable, battery-operated camera, you will never again be stuck trying to get patients to see the condition of their teeth in a hand mirror. DrQuickLook is definitely an adjunct to case presentation, and because it makes the image so personal for patients, it will increase case acceptance. The cost is reasonable — about what you charge for a crown. Check out their website at www.drquicklook.com and contact Vince Primerano at (315) 565-4058 for more information.

Three more products you should know about

In October 2011, 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 lenses are lightweight and comfortable. The eyewear will easily fit over 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 totalcare.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 uses 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, contact Jonathan Whiteside at (630) 503-4384 or visit www.RinnCorp.com. To request a free sample of Uni-Grip 360, visit www.UniGrip.com.

Have you heard about the new Midwest RDH Freedom? This hygiene handpiece is well balanced and light-weight, 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, which results in better comfort for your patient and you. Since the RDH Freedom is cordless, it’s easy to move from one treatment room to the next. It’s great for hygienists who work in alternate settings. Learn more by visiting www.midwest-rdh.com.

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