
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Sound City the Movie - Just See It

Monday, December 30, 2013
Live the 80's Again Courtesy of the Internet Archive

- Atari 2600
- Atari 7800 ProSystem
- The ColecoVision
- The Magnavox Odyssey
- The Astrocade
It's also great that this is just the tip of the iceberg as it looks like more titles and improvements will be coming in the future. From the blog post announcing this, is the following paragraph:
Access drives preservation – making these vintage games available to the world, instantly, allows for commentary, education, enjoyment and memory for the history they are a part of. In coming months, the playable software collection will expand greatly. Until then, game on!
Friday, December 27, 2013
Budgeting for Technology
As technology permeates all aspects of our lives, we've become more and more dependent on it.
Of course, this dependence is on our offices as well as our personal lives. When it comes to running the "business side" of a healthcare environment, i'm often asked how to keep costs in line with the benefits of technology… basically budgeting.
My buddy Kevin Henry and I were discussing this recently and Kevin, as Group Editorial Director for Advanstar Dental Media, suggested we should record some video of this in a Google Hangout.
The video above captures the essence of what we were discussing in just a little over 3 minutes. Take a look to see why I'm a fan of "eating the elephant one byte at a time."
Thursday, December 26, 2013
AdDent Transilluminator Special Price!!!

Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Merry Christmas!!!

Tuesday, December 24, 2013
NORAD Santa Tracker Keeps you Updated on Santa's Progress… and This Year Google Does Too!!!!!

Monday, December 23, 2013
A Big Thank You to Dr. Rob Leach & My Christmas Break Begins!

Thursday, December 19, 2013
Nonsurgical Treatment for Periodontal Disease May Not Be Enough for Patients with Diabetes

American Academy of Periodontology encourages dental professionals to continue to provide personalized care for patients with diabetes
CHICAGO – December 18, 2013 – A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that nonsurgical treatment of periodontal disease does not improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. Despite these results, the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) continues to encourage clinicians to conduct annual comprehensive periodontal evaluations on patients and guide treatment and care based on provided outcomes.
Dr. Stuart J. Froum, DDS, President of the AAP and clinical professor and Director of Clinical Research in the Department of Periodontics and Implant Dentistry at New York University Dental Center, says the findings should not dismiss an association between periodontal disease and diabetes. “As a number of population studies suggest, there is indeed a relationship between diabetes and periodontal disease. While this study specifically focuses on basic nonsurgical periodontal care, some cases of periodontal disease require more intensive treatment. There is evidence that more intensive periodontal therapies can be effective in glycemic control.”
The study examined the impact of nonsurgical periodontal therapy on over 500 subjects with both type 2 diabetes and moderate to advanced chronic periodontitis. The subjects’ glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were assessed at three and six month intervals. Researchers found that compared to those who did not receive treatment, subjects that underwent nonsurgical periodontal therapy showed no difference in hemoglobin levels, suggesting no difference in glycemic control.
“It is important to note that the nonsurgical therapy employed in this study did not eradicate periodontal disease, which may be why researchers did not see an effect on glycemic control,” points out Dr. Froum. “A major indicator of periodontal disease - bleeding on probing - decreased only 19 percent, suggesting that the nonsurgical therapy was not successful in controlling moderate to advanced periodontal disease. The failure to eliminate periodontal disease may be why glycemic control was not impacted.”
Regardless, Dr. Froum is optimistic that this study may lead to a better understanding of the relationship between diabetes and periodontal disease. “I’m excited to see research that continues to explore the association between these two chronic, and highly prevalent, diseases. These findings are simply one piece of a complex puzzle and open the door for further investigation. “
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the AAP, nearly half of U.S. adults aged 30 or older have periodontal disease. As a result, the AAP recommends that all patients receive a comprehensive periodontal evaluation on an annual basis which includes a thorough assessment of periodontal health and any risk factors for disease. “Every patient requires an individualized treatment plan,” says Dr. Froum. “For patients with diabetes, this may include either nonsurgical periodontal care or more advanced treatment. Despite the lack of causal evidence, your patients should still be informed that maintaining periodontal health plays a larger role in systemic health.”
To view the full study, visit http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1790896.
About the American Academy of Periodontology:
The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) is the professional organization for periodontists – specialists in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases affecting the gums and supporting structures of the teeth, and in the placement of dental implants. Periodontists are also dentistry’s experts in the treatment of oral inflammation. They receive three additional years of specialized training following dental school, and periodontics is one of the nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association. The AAP has 8,300 members world-wide.
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Gift Givers Can Now Directly Gift Books from the iBook Store

Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Air Techniques New Polaris & Spectra Evaluation - Definitely Recommended



Monday, December 16, 2013
Dental Hygienist Invention Helps Philadelphia Eagles

Friday, December 13, 2013
Peanut Brittle and Why It Counts
I started my own practice in Lee's Summit, MO in 1989. Honestly it seems like last week, but time can be like that.
I'm proud to say that even with our mobile society, I still have some patients that were with me way back then. Over the years their numbers have dwindled some, but there are still enough of them that I get a sense of pride when I think of them. It's just a way of knowing you're doing it the right way when you can keep folks coming back for that long.
Unfortunately, nothing lasts forever and this summer one of my favorite patients from '89 had to move away due to a job change. It was really tough to see her go and after receiving my good-bye hug I went back to my office and, I'm not ashamed to say, I shed a few tears. She's just such a wonderful and gracious lady.
We had a bit of a tradition between us. Every Christmas season she'd come to my office and bring me a treat of the best peanut brittle on the planet. I could go on and on about the stuff, but that's not really the point of this post. The point is that she thought enough of me to always make me a batch… and I loved her for it.
When she moved away this summer, I asked her for the recipe which she was only too happy to provide. I'm no whiz in the kitchen, but I figured if I could get through organic chemistry I could, just maybe, get through the peanut brittle.
Well today I box arrived at the office and I know that you know how this story ends. Inside was a large Christmas Tree shaped box of peanut brittle. No card, no letter, just sweet goodness in a box.
She not only thought enough to make it, but she went through the trouble of shipping it to me. I can't believe how it made me feel. I sat in my personal office and just had this wonderful feeling wash over me. It wasn't the treat, it was the fact that she'd thought enough to do it. That's the secret of peanut brittle and thinking of others. That's what counts in life!
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Yahoo Mail Suffers Critical Outage

Wednesday, December 11, 2013
NASA Unveils Valkyrie Robot
This is just flat out cool. NASA at the Johnson Space Center and the University of Texas have created the Valkyrie robot.
The idea is for this robot to go to Mars ahead of live astronauts and then work with the humans once they get there. Just watch the video. It's amazing!
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Thanks to Everyone Who Made Last Night's Webinar a Success!

Monday, December 9, 2013
Kudos to Velscope & Their Help with My Velscope Vx

Friday, December 6, 2013
StarDental® Introduces the Newest Addition to its Classic 430 Handpiece Line: The 430-45

The 430-45 Handpiece Features New 45° Angled Head for Superior Access
to Posterior Areas
Malvern, PA (December 1, 2013) – DentalEZ® Group, a supplier of innovative products and services for dental health professionals worldwide, is pleased to introduce the newest member of its classic 430 handpiece line, the 430-45. Available in two configurations, the 430 SWL® 45 and the 430 SW™ 45 are both equipped with a unique 45° angled head that provides unprecedented access to hard-to-reach posterior areas of the oral cavity.
The 430-45 was specially designed to be the perfect handpiece for surgical procedures commonly performed by the general dentist such as removal of impacted molars, crown lengthenings, apicoectomies, and numerous other endodontic and periodontal practices. Along with the new 45° angle feature, the small head and optional fiber optic feature of the new 430-45 provide dental professionals with superior oral access and visibility.
“The demand for specialized air-driven handpieces continues to grow as many general practitioners are experiencing seemingly routine cases that sometimes turn into more complex procedures,” remarked Rick Gross, StarDental Senior Product Manager. “Rather than investing in a multifaceted surgical system that can be extremely costly, we wanted to provide dentists with a more economical solution for these cases. With the 430-45, StarDental now offers the well-recognized 430 brand that dental professionals have grown to trust but with more specialized features.”
The 430-45 is equipped with specially designed side ports that effectively exhaust air away from the procedure area, therefore reducing the common risk of air embolism and protecting the integrity of the surgical site*. In addition, a pure stream of water is provided to keep the operatory site cool and clear. The 430-45 is available with or without solid glass rod fiber optics and accepts all standard and surgical length burs.
“Our focus with the 430 line is to provide further choices and more variety for a wider array of individual preferences,” continued Gross. “We are very excited to offer the 430-45. It’s a great option for any dental professional who wants a multipurpose, flexible handpiece that can be used in a variety of situations.”
As the #1 selling handpiece on the market**, each handpiece in the StarDental® 430 Series is an American Classic among dental professionals. Made with StarDental ceramic ball bearing turbines, the full family of the 430 Series includes: StarDental’s 430 SWL, featuring solid glass rod fiber optics, the 430 K®, 430 SW®, the 430 Satin, and the newest addition, the 430-45. Each is available in lubricated or StarDental’s traditional LubeFree™ which provides substantial cost and time savings. The small head and high-torque design of the 430 Series provides superior oral accessibility and visibility, and the high power enables fast and precise removal of tooth surface and amalgam. Its low noise level reduces the possibility of auditory damage and provides a more pleasant patient experience.
For more information on the StarDental 430-45 and all DentalEZ products, please call 866-DTE-INFO or visit www.DentalEZ.com.
*StarDental internal testing has shown that the 430 SWL® 45 and 430 SW™ 45 high-speed handpieces do not direct high-pressure air towards the cutting bur. The chip-air tube has been removed, eliminating drive air from being directed into the working area, thus reducing the risk of air embolism.
**Document available upon request
About DentalEZ® Group
DentalEZ® Group is committed to advancing the practice of dentistry through innovative products and services. Encompassing six distinct product brands — StarDental®, DentalEZ®, CustomAir®, RAMVAC®,NevinLabs™, and Columbia Dentoform® — DentalEZ® Group manufactures everything in the operatory, from handpieces to chairs to vacuum systems to dental simulation models, creating a complete line of products to elevate the health, comfort and efficiency of the dental operatory. For more information, please visit www.dentalez.com.
Thursday, December 5, 2013
DEXIS Previews Its Upcoming Imaging Software For Mac® In The Big Apple

DEXIS, an industry leader and the manufacturer of the highly awarded DEXIS® Digital X-ray system, is now in the process of completing its development for the Mac platformand will soon be expanding its Imaging Suite of products to natively support Apple® hardware and the OS X® operating system (10.8 or newer).
Hatfield, PA/New York, NY (December 1, 2013) DEXIS is pleased to preview its outstanding Mac product at an exclusive press event during the Greater New York Dental Meeting. DEXIS Mac™ is an innovative dental imaging solution that offers dentists a unified experience across Mac and iOS products. Once released, the native OS X software will provide clinicians with a highly efficient digital imaging workflow and seamless integration with leading Mac-based practice management programs Viive™ and MacPractice®.
Dentists who have been looking for a native dental imaging software for the Mac will soon be able to enjoy the combination of this exciting new DEXIS release with the established user experience of Apple products. The DEXIS software will provide an intuitive user interface and advanced functionality that Mac users expect – combined with tried-and-true DEXIS image management and enhancement tools.
A tight integration between DEXIS Mac, the award-winning DEXIS go® app for patient communication, and the just released DEXIS photo™ app for extra-oral image acquisition is in the making as well and will add even more effectiveness for the Mac-based dentist. The apps collectively operate on iPad®, iPhone® and iPod touch®. Recognizing the fact that both patient education and case presentation is immensely important, DEXIS Mac will support both Mac OS X full-screen mode and AirPlay® mode for presenting on larger displays.
DEXIS Mac is scheduled to be formally introduced in Q2 of 2014.
About DEXIS Mac
DEXIS Mac is under development and is pending Regulatory assessment and clearance. This announcement is for notification only. No orders can be accepted until appropriate Regulatory filing, registrations, or licenses are either cleared or updated.
About DEXIS
DEXIS is an industry leader in developing high quality digital imaging solutions for the dental community. In 1997, DEXIS introduced digital radiography on laptop computers — making it the first truly portable and affordable digital X-ray system. In 2001, DEXIS became the first intra-oral digital radiography system to be accepted by the American Dental Association into the highly prestigious ADA Seal Program. Today, DEXIS is the most highly awarded intra-oral digital X-ray system with numerous awards from dental researchers and well-respected dental publications. For more information on the DEXIS® Imaging Suite of software products and the DEXIS® Platinum Sensor, visit www.dexis.com.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Introducing DEXIS photo™ — Shoot Directly To DEXIS In An Instant

The new DEXIS photo app showcases the company’s commitment to the integration of today’s popular devices into its award-winning imaging products.
Here's an interesting piece of news that was announced on December 3rd at the Greater New York Dental Meeting. I thought you
Hatfield, PA (December 1, 2013) DEXIS announces the release of the DEXIS photo app which provides a fast and easy way to add photos directly into DEXIS® Imaging Suite using iPhone® and iPod Touch®*. The app lets clinicians frame the shot and capture the photo right into the patient record — wirelessly, automatically and instantaneously; no cards, no readers, no manual file transfer.
With the two functions of DEXIS photo, dental professionals can choose to capture patient ID photos that can be viewed from any imaging screen in DEXIS or to take and send images for the software’s extra-oral photo screen. Using the applicable mobile device and DEXIS photo, these tasks can be performed easily and seamlessly when in proximity to and interacting with the DEXIS Imaging Suite software.
“After the release of our last app, DEXIS go®, we were praised for our use of contemporary technology that was adapted to a valuable dental application,” states Adam Palermo, Product Manager for DEXIS. “We know from research that mobile devices are widely used in dental practices, and we are embracing this technology to improve clinical workflow.”
DEXIS photo allows dental professionals to experience a simple, modern workflow that offers time savings, clinical support and patient interaction. Not only is this app effortless and enjoyable to use, it can help to maintain HIPAA compliance since images are not stored on the mobile device; rather they are securely stored within DEXIS.
DEXIS photo will be available on the Apple App store at the end of December 2013.To find out more about DEXIS photo, visit www.dexis.com/apps.
*The DEXIS photo app works with iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5 and iPod Touch 5th generation in the initial release; requires iOS 7 or greater.
About DEXIS
DEXIS is an industry leader in developing high quality digital imaging solutions for the dental community. In 1997, DEXIS introduced digital radiography on laptop computers — making it the first truly portable and affordable digital X-ray system. In 2001, DEXIS became the first intra-oral digital radiography system to be accepted by the American Dental Association into the highly prestigious ADA Seal Program. Today, DEXIS is the most highly awarded intra-oral digital X-ray system with numerous awards from dental researchers and well-respected dental publications. For more information on the DEXIS® Imaging Suite of software products and the DEXIS® Platinum Sensor, visit www.dexis.com.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Hydrogel Implant Could Make Booster Shots Obsolete
We've all had booster shots at some point in our lives. You know, you get an immunization injection, then at some point in the future you have to have another round to make sure you have the proper level of immunity.
This can be a major pain (pardon the pun) for many of us. When I received my Hepatitis B vaccine while in dental school, the proper protocol was for a 3 shot series.
Now, in dental school, it was easy. The injections were given by the oral surgery department and I was notified when to return for my next round. However, in the real world this can mean more trips to a doctor's office for these follow up visits. This can result in lost work time, taking kids out of school, etc. Not to mention the fact that you actually have to get the injections to ensure immunity. Lots of people either forget or are scared and just don't get them.
Now comes word of a way around these booster injections.
The idea is to place a booster amount in a small pea sized hydrogel capsule that is injected under the skin. Later, when a booster amount is needed, the patient can take a pill that will release the chemical booster from inside the hydrogel.
The system is currently being tested in mice. No word on when human delivery could be expected, but this is definitely something that bears watching. I can see this type of delivery for all types of medications in the future...
Monday, December 2, 2013
Ritter Dental USA Launches Redesigned Instrument Line During The Greater New York Dental Meeting

Ritter Instruments are Lighter and Better-Balanced than Ever Before
San Antonio, TX – November 27, 2013 – Ritter Dental USA is launching a redesigned instrument line during the Greater New York Dental Meeting at the Javitts Convention Center from December 1st – December 4ᵗʰ.
Precisely designed and manufactured from German-forged stainless steel, the Ritter instrument line was developed under the direction of Ritter Dental USA to better serve the American dental market. “Our new instruments are lighter and better balanced than ever before,” explained Ritter CEO Fred Battah. “They are specially-designed to appeal to America’s ergonomically-conscious dental clinicians.”
Ritter’s extensive instrument line can be purchased in kits that have been organized by specialty clinical applications such as diagnostic, periodontal, surgical, restorative, orthodontic and hygiene.
Dental clinicians can find out more about the redesigned Ritter Instrument line at booth #5215 during the Greater New York Dental Meeting. Details are also available by visitingwww.RitterDentalUSA.com, by emailing info@RitterDentalUSA.com, calling toll-free at 855-807-8111, or attending the Ritter Road Show. For complete Road Show details and schedule, visitwww.RitterRoadShow.com
About Ritter Dental USA
Based in San Antonio, Texas, Ritter Dental USA is the sister company of Ritter Concept GmbH, which is headquartered in Germany and designs and manufactures, world-class dental equipment that includes treatment chairs, stools, operatory lights, air compressors, suction units, instruments, intraoral cameras and implants. For more details visitwww.RitterDentalUSA.com. Follow us onFacebook,Twitter,LinkedIn,YouTube andGoogle+.