Security Isn't All About Cyber...

 

A few years ago I was talking to a nice lady I knew who was a practice management consultant.  We were talking about her career and the kinds of problems she helped offices solve.  The discussion eventually progressed into discussing overhead and accounts receivable.  It was at that point in the conversation when she told me that it wasn't uncommon for a doctor to contact her with cash flow problems of unknown origins.

However, when she dug into the numbers and reports she'd discover... embezzlement.  Her feeling was that it happened in 20-25% of the offices she worked with.  Now this gal was good with numbers.  That was one of her strong points, so maybe that had to do with why a doctor contacted her in the first place, but I was stunned by some of the stories she told me.

It's hard to believe that you can work closely with someone, sometimes for years, only to discover that they were stealing from you.  Unfortunately it happens... and it happens a lot.  I frequently post about cyber security because I'm a tech guy, but plain old accounting security is just as important.  

To bring this into a tech perspective, today's practice management software systems are really strong when it comes to the practice numbers and accounting.  It takes a certain amount of effort to cover up the tracks of embezzlement.  That's why I was amazed when the consultant told me that the biggest mistake she saw doctors making was simply NOT reviewing the daily reports their software generated.  She told me I'd be shocked at how many doctors are given daily reports and simply put them in a file somewhere and never look at them.

She said she had seen that numerous times.  She'd be called in because the doctor was struggling to meet payroll and when she asked how often the reports were reviewed she would get nervous or blank looks from the doctor.

So the advice in today's post is "review your day sheet" and the other reports your software generates.  I always did because I found the stuff interesting, However a lot of doctors trust someone only to find out that trust was abused.  It might have been President Reagan in the 80s, but someone famous once said, "Trust but verify" and I firmly believe in that.  A trustworthy person wants you to know they can be trusted.

The whole reason for today's post was an item I happened to see from the Nassau County Police Department in Long Island, NY.  It seems that the 34 year old office manager managed to embezzle almost $290,000 from a dental office.  The age of the suspect shocked me because it means this wasn't a trickle of dollars over a long period of time.  Even if the suspect had started embezzling at the age of 21, that would have been around $22,000 a year... and I doubt the theft had been going on for that long.

So in closing... trust but verify.  As you read this, some office somewhere is being embezzled.  Do the best you can to not be one of them.  Cyber security *is* important, but so is financial security.

Veterinarians to get Free AI Scribe to Ease Workload

 

While this isn't dental related, it for sure is healthcare related.  Veterinary medicine has a lot of similarities to dentistry.  Both are small subsets of the overall healthcare sphere and often use similar products.  For instance, when our dog had a dental exam, the radiographs were taken with DEXIS hardware. 

Also, similar to dentistry there are still a fair number of private practices that are not part of  corporate management.  Those private practices also share many of the same burdens that dental practices do with paperwork, clinical chart notes, etc.  In the past couple of years dentistry has seen a few companies come to market with AI powered chart note systems.  Companies like Dentscribe are changing workflows for the better.

Today's post is about a similar system for veterinarians and I thought it might be good info for my readers to be aware of...

a16z-backed pioneer removes all barriers to adoption as veterinary practices embrace AI-powered documentation

Veterinarians typically spend hours after appointments writing medical records, often working late into the evening to complete documentation. It's a broken system that contributes to widespread burnout across the profession. Today, Scribenote – the company that pioneered the AI-powered scribe built specifically for veterinarians – is flipping the economics of veterinary software by launching a Free Plan, a move that could fundamentally alter how veterinary clinics across North America operate.

The announcement comes as Scribenote experiences significant growth following its $8.2M funding round from Andreessen Horowitz in September 2024. The platform turns veterinarians' words into structured SOAP notes in seconds, eliminating hours of post-appointment documentation. This free tier launch represents the next phase in the company's mission to make these benefits accessible to all veterinary practices, building on its strategic price reduction in January. 

 "Veterinarians didn’t choose this profession to drown in paperwork. They chose it to heal, to help, to connect. " said Ryan Gallagher, co-founder and CEO of Scribenote. "Documentation used to be a big part of the job, but we changed that. Vets using Scribenote are seeing more patients, spending less time on admin, and actually enjoying their work again. So we asked ourselves: why should any veterinarian be denied this because of budget constraints?"

The Free Tier includes everything a veterinary practice needs: unlimited AI-generated medical records using Scribenote's default templates, full team collaboration capabilities through Teams Mode, and access to self-serve help documentation and AI-powered chat support. Premium features like custom Adaptive Templates, Client Summaries, Multilingual Mode, AI Writing Assistant, and human support from Scribenote's Customer Delight team remain part of Scribenote Pro. New signups automatically receive a 2-week free trial of the Pro plan.

The timing is strategic. The veterinary industry faces a well-documented staffing crisis, with burnout and work-life balance cited as primary concerns. Traditional practice management systems, built decades ago and barely updated since, compound the problem by requiring extensive manual data entry. Meanwhile, a wave of AI solutions has emerged, but few offer the veterinary-specific features and accuracy that define purpose-built platforms.

By removing price as a barrier, Scribenote accelerates its path to becoming the standard for veterinary documentation. The move reflects broader changes in AI economics – as models become more efficient and affordable, companies can offer powerful capabilities that were previously cost-prohibitive.

"Veterinary professionals are overwhelmed, and cost should never be a barrier to getting home on time," added Gallagher. "AI is becoming smarter and more affordable. We want to pass those savings on to the people who need it most."

Since its founding in 2019, Scribenote has grown from a solution built for Gallagher's veterinarian sister to a platform that has tripled its user base in the past year alone - even as 44 competing AI scribes flooded the market. The company's AI technology records conversations between veterinarians and clients, automatically generating accurate medical records in minutes – replacing hours of manual documentation. This proven scale has enabled Scribenote to recently complete the largest enterprise rollout of AI scribing software in veterinary medicine.

Looking ahead, Scribenote is slated to release a second product this fall to create even more value for veterinary clinics, the details of which are currently under wraps. In the meantime, the company sees the launch of its free tier today as a catalyst for industry-wide adoption of AI-assisted documentation - helping veterinarians spend less time typing and more time with their patients.

Veterinary professionals can sign up for free access immediately at scribenote.com.
 

DIAGNOcam Vision - Full HD for Incredible Imaging

 

It's been a bit since I mentioned this device, but I think it bears repeating occasionally for those of you who my be new to the  blog or have missed this in the past.

I'm a huge fan of communication and especially communication with patients.  This whole concept began in the 90s when my father (who wasn't a dentist) saw an intraoral camera for the first time.  He happened to be with me for the demo of a cutting edge intraoral imaging system.  Back then it was standalone and on a cart.  Heck, back then there was no such thing as computers in the operatory so the entire imaging system was wheeled around on a cart.

My dad was amazed at what he could see on the screen.  At the time, a simple camera system was $15.5K and the moment the sales guy left my dad turned to me and said, "When are you going to buy it?  You have to get one!!!"

This was early in my career and I didn't have the money to buy it.  My dad offered to loan me the money and told me that if I didn't buy it immediately, I was making a mistake.  He then went on to explain to me that if I could show people their problems and helped them understand the reason for treatment, I would be able to help more people.  He explained that it's all about communication.  My dad was in sales and he understood that inherently.  The next week, I had a camera in my office and I was shocked at just how right my dad had been.

In a nutshell, better informed patients make better decisions about their care.  It's just that simple.  For that reason, I've always loved any kind of tech that allows me to better communicate with my patients.

Which brings us to today's post.  Not too long ago, Kavo brought a new device to market.  It's called the DIAGNOcam Vision Full HD and it is a terrific piece of technology.  For the first time in the history of the profession a doctor or team member can pick up a single device and acquire every image possible that doesn't require x-rays.  The DIAGNOcam Vision functions as an intraoral camera, a transilluminator, and a visual caries detection device.  

The unit not only takes all three types of images, but it can be configured to take all three types with the push of a single button.  Basically you put the device on top of the tooth, push a button and pop, pop, pop... all three images appear.

Camera

The camera, as the name implies, is a true HD image.  The illumination for photos is bright and images have terrific contrast.  The camera also has true autofocus so the images are always sharp and clear.  The autofocus works so well, that it can even be used as an extra oral camera for patient photos.  The best part is that because of the autofocus, there is no distortion or 'fish-eye' even on images taken of the patient's face.

Transillumination

Transillumination is a great diagnostic tool.  It allows the operator to see small areas of interproximal decay as well as cracks and fracture lines.  There are a lot of devices available to perform that function.  However, others are like tiny flashlights that let the operator shine the light from the buccal or the lingual with no way of actually taking a photo of the situation.  The DIAGNOcam Vision handles it in a much more high tech way.  The device has small flexible arms (see the photo at the top of this post) that gently grip the tooth.  Those arms have fiberoptics in them and the device uses an invisible NIR (near infrared) wavelength that penetrates the tooth.  While invisible to the human eye, it can be seen by the camera in the device.  This lets the device capture an image from the occlusal surface while the tooth is illuminated from the buccal and lingual with the NIR.

The images are crisp and highly diagnostic.  The NIR provides incredible illumination with low intensity which means there are no overly bright spots.  This is a great way to monitor small areas, especially when the doctor is using remineralization therapy.  It allows for monitoring of an area on a regular basis since no x-rays are required.  It's also incredibly useful for pediatric patients or patients that are pregnant.

Caries Fluorescence

Finding caries when it is tiny is another way to conservatively manage patients.  Under certain wavelengths of light, metabolic byproducts, called porphyrins, fluoresce.  The DIAGNOcam Vision uses one of those wavelengths to bathe the tooth in a purple bluish light that lets the operator actually see where those bacteria are located.  After polishing the teeth to remove plaque, the light can indicate where live bacteria are causing breakdown of tooth structure.  This means caries can be located when the area is tiny.  If a restoration is required, this means more conservation of healthy tooth structure.  It can also help with remineralization therapy because areas can be frequently monitored.  The images can be saved and compared to create a virtual time lapse of progression or remineralization.

Wrapping Up

I was lucky enough to be able to clinically evaluate the DIAGNOcam Vision before it was publicly available and I was impressed.  The device is easy to use, well designed, and is a *great* communication tool.  Being able to collect diagnostic images quickly and easily while then allowing the patient to see their situation is a remarkable win/win for the practice.  My dad was right.  Better informed patients make better decisions.  Combining that fact with the ability of the practioner to also be better informed through all of these imaging modalities leads to better outcomes.

For more info on the DIAGNOcam Vision Full HD you can follow this link.  

SuperMouth Launches NEW Electric ToothBrush Travel Case - Meet Ultim8 Travel SmartCase!

 

As regular readers know, I'm a huge fan of powered toothbrushes.  They are easy to hold, easy to use, and utilizing bristels that clean without manual 'scrubbing' works much better than manual toothbrushes.  Powered brushes let the bristles do the cleaning, which is where they help make a real difference.  A couple of months ago SuperMouth sent me one of their Ultim8 SmartBrush systems to try... and I was impressed.  The bristles are amazingly soft and the unit comes with a charger that doubles as a UV sanitizer.  When you finish brushing, you put the brush into the charger and it kills the germs on the brush head while it recharges.  It's one of the best new powered brushes I've tried in quite a while.

Today I got word from SuperMouth that they are now selling a great travel kit and charger so that you can take your Ultim8 brush with you when you travel.  One of the coolest features of this travel case is that, like the countertop version, it contains a UV sanitizer so that you can keep those bristles clean... on the go!  Details are below...

SuperMouth, the dentist-founded brand known for creating advanced oral care solutions for all ages, has unveiled its latest cutting-edge innovation—the Ultim8 Travel SmartCase™. The ultimate companion for SuperMouth’s Ultim8 SmartBrush, the SmartCase is a sleek, convenient solution for carrying and protecting your Ultim8 toothbrush, travel size floss, and toothpaste.

 Developed by Dr. Kami Hoss, founder of SuperMouth and renowned oral health expert with over 30 years of clinical experience, the Ultim8 Travel SmartCase is where luxury meets state-of-the-art hygiene technology. Thoughtfully designed to be as stylish as it is functional, this modern, compact case allows users to travel in confidence—combining advanced sanitization technology with a sophisticated design. Engineered with TSA-approved lithium batteries, the Travel SmartCase features a powerful UV sanitizer that eliminates 99.9% of harmful germs and bacteria from your toothbrush, setting a new standard for travel-friendly oral care. Ideal for frequent flyers and on-the-go brushers, it also includes a charging cable and rechargeable battery, for effortless sanitizing and recharging anytime, anywhere.

 “We’re thrilled to introduce the Ultim8 Travel SmartCase, the final piece to our SmartBrush System,” said Dr. Kami Hoss, founder of SuperMouth. “We spent a lot of time considering the practical needs of travelers and identifying what’s lacking in today's electric toothbrush cases. The Travel SmartCase was created to fill those gaps. With its elevated design and advanced hygiene features, we hope it empowers consumers to travel cleaner and smarter.”

The final addition to the award-winning Ultim8 SmartBrush System, standout features of the Travel SmartCase include:

• Stylish & Ergonomic Design: Though compact, the SmartCase holds all essential brushing items for effortless travel.
• TSA Approved Lithium Battery: Designed to meet all travel regulations, the SmartCase ensures a seamless airport experience whether you’re checking or carrying on a bag.
• Hygienic Storage & Recharging: Built for clean, organized storage and effortless recharging of your Ultim8 SmartBrush on-the-go.
• UV Sanitizer: Simply close the SmartCase lid to activate UV sanitization, which effectively eliminates 99.99% of germs in just 3.5 minutes. A blue light indicates that sanitization is in progress. Once complete, the SmartCase light will turn off, or switch to red if plugged in.
• Efficient Charging: Thanks to SuperMouth’s SmartMag technology and a built-in battery, the UV sanitizer can run for up to three weeks per charge.
• All-in-One Storage: Includes dedicated spaces for your Ultim8 SmartBrush and travel-sized toothpaste and floss.
• Quick-Access Latch: Simplifies interior cleaning and ensures efficient water drainage to prevent mold.
• Integrated Cable Management: Equipped with a universal charging cable that is compatible with all Ultim8 products.

Designed to complete the Ultim8 SmartBrush System, the Travel SmartCase is available in three beautiful colors: Sapphire Blue, Pearly White, and Rose Gold. The SmartCase is priced at an MSRP of $39.99 when purchased on its own at www.SuperMouth.com/products/ultim8-electric-toothbrush. When purchased as part of the Ultim8 SmartBrush System, customers can enjoy it at a discounted price of $30.00. For more information on SuperMouth and the new Ultim8 Travel SmartCase, please visit www.SuperMouth.com.

 About SuperMouth®

SuperMouth is a dentist-founded oral care brand offering over 200 best-in-class products and holding nearly 300 patents, reflecting its commitment to innovation and excellence. With products designed for every age and stage of life, SuperMouth continues to push the boundaries of oral care, creating solutions that combine safety, effectiveness, and fun. Learn more at www.SuperMouth.com.

 

An Unusual Side Effect - Ozempic Tongue

 

A short post today, because you'll get more info from the links...

Many medications can affect the oral cavity.  They can decrease salivary flow, cause more calculus to form, and a myriad of other things.  Now with so many patients taking glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists a new thing has occurred in some patients.

Some folks are reporting a situation that is being termed Ozempic Tongue.  The symptoms are a a persistent bitter or metallic taste in their mouths.  Obviously, anything that absorbs into the body has the potential to then be distributed throughout.  Experts think it stems from the medication being absorbed into the body and then getting into the salivary glands.

It doesn't seem to be causing any problems in the mouth other than a persistent bad taste and it's not something that every patient deals with.  Still it's a great idea for doctors to be aware of it.  It's also good to discuss this potential side effect with patients that are taking these medications.

There is a nice short discussion on the ADA webpage.  A longer article can be found on VeryWell Health.

ClearChoice® Launches Endura Elite: A Breakthrough in Natural-Looking, Long-Lasting Smiles

ClearChoice has carved out a really good niche practice in dentistry.  Some patients require the skills of a practice who chooses to routinely do full mouth reconstruction.  For those patients, it's good to know that there are offices that perform this type of reconstruction on a regular basis.  

For doctors, it can also be a benefit.  When patients have a significant need, I've referred to them.  As a dentist, I occasionally come across a case that needs their services and it's a nice referral tool to have in your toolbox.

Today's post is about a new material that ClearChoice is offering.  Here's what they have to say about it...

ClearChoice Dental Implant Center® is proud to introduce Endura Elite, our most advanced full-arch dental restoration yet. Designed to mirror the natural beauty of real teeth, Endura Elite combines modern technology with expert craftsmanship to deliver a smile that's strong, confident, and made just for you.

What makes Endura Elite different? It's all in the details.  

Each Endura Elite smile is:

• Individually customized to match your face and features
• Hand-finished by skilled dental artisans for a natural look and feel
• Made from premium zirconia, a material known for its durability and brilliance
• Enhanced with multi-layered shading to mimic the sparkle and depth of real teeth

We've also developed an exclusive smile design collection—only available through ClearChoice—to ensure your smile looks balanced, lifelike, and truly yours.

"Endura Elite reflects the doctors' commitment to helping people restore more than just their teeth; we help restore confidence and quality of life," said Rahma Samow, CEO of ClearChoice Management Services, LLC. "It's a smile that not only functions well, it looks and feels amazing."

This launch follows the introduction of the ClearChoice Lifetime Warranty for zirconia full-arch restorations, underscoring our commitment to delivering lasting solutions with trusted quality and care.

Rediscover what it means to smile. Ask your ClearChoice team about Endura Elite.

Learn more at clearchoice.com/dental-implant-services/endura-elite/.

About ClearChoice Dental Implant Center®

Since 2005, ClearChoice Dental Implant Centers have helped restore hope and confidence in more than 200,000 patients across the U.S. through advanced oral treatments designed to improve overall health and quality of life. Equipped with innovative technology—including digital design, 3D intraoral scanning, virtual smile design, and full-service, on-site labs—each ClearChoice Dental Implant Center is owned and operated by a licensed, experienced dentist providing comprehensive implant treatment in a state-of-the-art, all-in-one facility. The ClearChoice Network is supported by TAG – The Aspen GroupSM.

Simplify Shade Matching with Rite-Lite Pro™

 

One of the most difficult things to do in dentistry is to shade match a single shade in the cosmetic zone.  However, matching two teeth isn't really that much easier.  The proper shade match is critical and it's never easy.  If you've been practicing dentistry for any amount of time and run into this problem, you know exactly what I'm talking about.

Anterior crowns are especially difficult.  Our aesthetic materials have made this a bit easier in the last 10-15 years, but even with all of the advancements, it is still a challenge.  Simply put, the design of human tooth consists of enamel over dentin.  Enamel is translucent and dentin is not.  That means that light striking the tooth is reflected in ways that are hard to mimic with manmade materials.  Things such as hue, value, and chroma all come into play... and they can present some challenges. 

Part of the challenge is the light the shade match is done under.  A smile isn't just seen in sunlight, it's also seen in a variety of manmade wavelengths and those are probably the biggest reason for the difficulty in shade matching.  A crown can be perfect under the lights of a dental office, but when seen under the lights in a home, an office environment, or restaurant, that shade can be affected by the ambient light.  Many doctors will match the shade and view the patient under a variety of lighting environments to try and maximize the aesthetics.  Personally I've taken shades in the operatory, in the reception area, and the parking lot on difficult shade cases.

How can a doctor view the smile under a variety of shade environments and decrease the chances of a crown not matching?  One of the easiest ways I've found to do this is with the Rite-Lite PRO™ from AdDent.

There is a measure of how accurately a light source reveals the colors of an object compared to natural sunlight.  That measure is referred to as CRI (Color Rendering Index) and can be incredibly helpful in these types of situations.

The Rite-Lite PRO is a shade matching device that uses a variety of high CRI LEDs at different specific wavelengths that allow the tooth to be visualized correctly.  A variety of different wavelengths can help increase the accuracy of the shade match.  The LEDs provide 3 modes of shade taking.

1. Color-corrected light at a color temperature of 5500° Kelvin.  This is considered 'true north' light.
2. Incandescent-room light at 3200° Kelvin that is found in many indoor environments.
3. Ambient list at 3900° Kelvin.  This is a combination of room light and daylight.

There is also a black light setting for matching restorations to natural dentition fluorescence.

As you can see from the image at the top of this post, the Rite-Lite PRO looks like a large magnifying glass.  The LEDs are setup in a ring with a large viewing port in the middle of the ring.  This lets the doctor or shade taker see the teeth evenly illuminated with each specific wavelength.  You can also purchase a polarizing filter to remove any surface reflection.  Pressing a button on the handle cycles the LEDs through the different wavelengths.

The ring illuminator is attached to a handle that contains a rechargeable Li-ion battery that provides constant power output which means the light is always at its correct brightness and intensity.  This allows the shade taker to know everything is the same... every time.

If you've ever struggled to get the shade match you and your patient expect, I highly recommend this device.  It makes shade taking *much* easier.  As I've said before, the smart people at AdDent make some of the best "better mousetrap" devices I've seen.  This is one of them!

For more info, see the AdDent website for all the details.