Ramblings From Dentistry's Technology Evangelist - Breaks 4,000,000 Page Views!!!

 

A big announcement today... "Ramblings From Dentistry's Technology Evangelist" has now surpassed 4,000,000 page views!  I could type for hours and not be able to adequately describe how grateful I am to all of you.  If it wasn't for people like you who are reading this post, there would not be a blog or anything else I'm involved with.  So my deepest thanks to all of you... I am truly humbled by the support.

I try not to get too hung up or focused on numbers for projects I'm involved with, but sometimes a milestone is passed and you'd have to be in a fog to not have it motivate you.  About fifteen years ago I noticed something about myself.  Maybe it's the mindset of being a dentist, or maybe it's just me, but when things went right I wouldn't think much about it.  I'd just move onto the next thing.  I *expected* things to go right.   Yet... when something went less than *perfect* I'd dwell on it and sometimes I'd beat myself up mentally... sometimes for days.

It's funny, but think about this for a second.  If someone gives you a compliment... maybe they say "your hair looks really good today".  I think most of us don't give it a second thought, often we don't even believe it.  Yet, if someone says "your hair doesn't look really good today", we immediately run to a mirror and try to fix it.  I'm not sure why humans are like that, but I've talked about this to a lot of people and it seems to be a pretty common thing.

I decided to try and make a change.  I made a concerted effort to celebrate my successes.  I wouldn't throw a party, but I *would* allow myself to think "that wasn't easy, but I did pretty well there."  My logic was, if I'm going to be hard on myself when things didn't go perfectly, I'd pat myself on the back when they did.

Because of that, I frequently tell others to celebrate their successes.  There is obviously a line between being happy with success and being egotistical, but there is nothing wrong of being proud of your achievements.

I have always felt if you do the right things for the right reasons, success will follow.  However, with that being said, sometimes things don't always go according to plan.  My advice?  Celebrate your successes.  There's nothing wrong with that feeling of satisfaction that comes from a job well  done.

Hanyang University ERICA Researchers Develop Electronic Skin That Brings Human-Like Touch to Robots and Prosthetics

Below is some pretty fascinating information from Hanyang University in South Korea.  For years we've been seeing the development of lifelike prosthetics to help injured humans become more independent.  They use robotics to actually recreate much of the movement from an amputated limb.  Researchers have now developed a sensor type system that could someday actually bring the sense of touch to mechanical devices such as artificial limbs.  These sensors could also provide robots with a sense of touch.  Read on for the details.

Researchers developed a vertically integrated dual-gate transistor design, enabling reliable touch sensing and high density, large-area integration

Conventional tribotronic devices, that convert mechanical stimuli like touch into electrical signals, offer fixed sensitivity and pose challenges in large-area integration. In a new study, researchers have developed a new vertically integrated dual-gated tribotronic transistor architecture, that offers tuneable sensitivity, reliable contact and proximity detection, as well as minimal pixel footprint for high-density array integration. This technology can pave the way for electronic skin systems that allow robots and prosthetics to reliably perceive human touch.

The recent advancement of miniaturized and portable electronics, particularly wearable and flexible devices, has increased the demand for self-powered sensing technologies. Among these, triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have received increased attention for developing highly sensitive tactile sensors. TENGs convert external mechanical stimuli into electrical signals through redistribution of electric charges. They are particularly attractive for the development of advanced electronic skin and intelligent robotics. However, conventional tribotronic devices suffer from non-tuneable sensitivity and pose challenges in integration into large-area architectures, limiting practical applications.

To address these limitations, a research team led by Associate Professor Jaekyun Kim from the Department of Photonics and Nanoelectronics at Hanyang University in South Korea has developed a novel vertically integrated dual-gated tribotronic transistor. “Our vertical dual-gate architecture not only offers gate-tunable amplification of the triboelectronic responses, but also minimizes pixel footprint, enabling high-density, large-area integration,” explains Dr. Kim. Their study was made available online on April 9, 2026, and published in Volume 153 of Nano Energy on June 15, 2026.

The proposed dual-gated tribotronic transistor features a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) triboelectric sensing layer as the top gate, stacked on top of a dedicated gate insulator, which in turn is positioned above an indium-tin-zinc-oxide (ITZO) thin-film transistor (TFT). This innovative configuration provides synergistic control of sensitivity.

In its default state, the bottom gate sets the baseline current flowing through the ITZO transistor. To enable contact and proximity sensing, the device first undergoes a charging phase, in which a stainless-steel plate comes into contact with the PDMS surface. This causes  triboelectric charges to form at the interface. As the plate separates from the PDMS layer, these accumulated charges create a triboelectric potential that acts as the top-gate voltage, which suppresses the current flow through the ITZO transistor. 

As the charged plate or another object approaches the PDMS surface again, the triboelectric potential gradually decreases, causing the transistor current to recover, based on the proximity of the plate or surface. This change in current serves as the tribotronic response, indicating contact or proximity. Meanwhile, the bottom-gate voltage sets the baseline current, allowing the sensitivity to be electrically tuned. Specifically, the researchers found that the sensitivity increased with increasing bottom-gate voltage.

The researchers also showed that increasing the contact pressure enlarges the effective contact area between the PDMS layer and the contacting object, generating more triboelectric charge and producing a stronger response. 

Additionally, the device exhibited stable response and recovery times of 127 and 212 milliseconds, respectively, during each contact-separation cycle. It also maintained stable performance without noticeable degradation after 1,000 operating cycles.

To demonstrate active tactile sensing, the researchers fabricated a 10 × 10 transistor array using the proposed architecture. After initially charging the sensing layer with a stainless-steel plate, they demonstrated pixel-level responses to finger touches as well as reliable proximity sensing at distances of up to 500 micrometers using a stainless-steel probe. 

“Our research could contribute to the development of electronic skin systems that allow robots, prosthetic devices, and wearable electronics to perceive touch, pressure, and proximity more precisely,” remarks Dr. Kim. “This will lead to safer and more reliable human–machine interaction, with applications in healthcare robots, health monitoring and autonomous systems.”

Overall, this innovative architecture provides a scalable platform for programmable, mechanically robust tribotronic sensor arrays, paving the way for advanced human–machine interfaces. 

Reference

Title of original paper: Vertically integrated dual-gated tribotronic transistor for active-matrix tactile and proximity sensing

Journal: Nano Energy

About Hanyang University ERICA

Hanyang University ERICA (Education Research Industry Cluster at Ansan) is a prominent research-focused campus established in 1979 in Ansan, South Korea. ERICA offers undergraduate and graduate programs. ERICA is renowned for its active industry-university cooperation, offering students hands-on experience through partnerships with various industries. This ensures that graduates are well-prepared to meet societal needs and excel in their respective fields. With state-of-the-art facilities and a supportive learning environment, Hanyang University ERICA empowers students to pursue their passions and contribute meaningfully to society, staying true to the university's founding philosophy of "Love in Deed and Truth."

Website: https://www.hanyang.ac.kr/web/eng/erica-campus1

About the author

Dr. Jaekyun Kim is an Associate Professor and researcher in the Department of Photonics and Nanoelectronics at Hanyang University. His group focuses on oxide semiconductor thin-film transistors, tribotronic sensors, electronic skin, and active-matrix sensing systems. The group develops device platforms that integrate semiconductor electronics with functional sensing materials for tactile, proximity, and wearable applications.

VCom Interoffice Messaging System - You Can Download and Try for Free

One of the fun things about being "The Technology Evangelist" is that a lot of people reach out to me with new ideas, both in dentistry and the consumer market.  I love seeing and learning about these products and it allows me to see some pretty cool things.  Recently I was contacted by Dr. James Webb about an interoffice communication system.

In a busy office, communication and distractions can be a major problem.   Staff will frequently be busy with patients clinically as well as at the front desk.  Also, clinical staff will often float between different treatment areas which can make them hard to find, depending on the office layout.  It's so much easier to have some type of digital communication system in the office that discreetly sends a message to the proper person.  In ttoday's dental offices there are computers in every operatory as well as multiple locations throughout the office.  That makes a communication system on the office network something that a lot of offices use or are in need of.

There are a lot of chat clients on the market, but most of them run in a separate window on your computer which means you have to click to see the message.  That's usually not a big deal, but if you are in the middle of a procedure with gloves on it can be a hassle.  In the admin area, it requires staff to leave whatever window they are working in to open the chat window underneath.  

VCom is an interoffice communication system that runs on every computer in the office.  However, instead of running in a window, VCom runs as a "banner" across the top of the screen.  That means it's never hidden behind another window that will require a click to bring the info to the front.  Instead, the VCom message will simply appear in the banner at the top of the screen, which brings it to the immediate attention of the user.  You can also assign a unique 'tone' so a busy user can know they have a message in the banner.  The system allows a user to check a message with just a glance without a patient noticing the distraction.

If you have any interest in checking this out, you can find pricing info here.  

I don't have personal experience with VCom, however the company offers a free trial.  You can download, install, and then see if the system is right for you and your workflows.  You can use this link to download.  

Hygiene KOL Michelle Strange Publishes New Book: Independent by Design

 

New Book Presents Dental Hygienists a Roadmap to Career Growth and Independent Practice Ownership

Dental hygienist, educator, entrepreneur, and podcast host Michelle Strange, MSDH, RDH, recently published Independent by Design: A Dental Hygienist's Journey to Practice Ownership, a new book that explores the evolving career opportunities available to today's dental hygienists, including independent practice ownership.

Drawing on more than 25 years of experience in clinical care, education, public health, mobile dentistry, long-term care, and business ownership, Strange shares the professional lessons, challenges, and decisions that shaped her career. 

The book is intended to help dental hygienists evaluate new career possibilities while providing practical insights for those interested in expanding beyond traditional clinical roles.

Rather than presenting a single formula for success, Independent by Design examines the many paths available within the profession and encourages readers to define careers that align with their personal and professional goals.

"Many dental hygienists reach a point where they begin to question what comes next," said Strange. "My goal was to write the book I wish I'd had earlier in my Career; one that honestly discusses both the opportunities and the obstacles while demonstrating that there are more options available than many clinicians realize."

The book chronicles Strange's unconventional professional journey, including her decision to leave a traditional career path, spend several years working throughout the United States as a traveling dental hygienist, and ultimately become the owner of Smile Logic, an independent dental hygiene practice in Colorado.

In addition to sharing personal experiences, the book offers guidance designed to help readers avoid common business and career development pitfalls while navigating the transition from clinician to entrepreneur.

Independent by Design: A Dental Hygienist's Journey to Practice Ownership is available in print and Kindle editions through Amazon.

About Michelle Strange, MSDH, RDH 

Michelle Strange is a practicing dental hygienist, educator, and entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in the dental field. She began her career as a dental assistant and then a dental hygienist earning a bachelor’s degree in health science from the Medical University of South Carolina, followed by a master’s degree in dental hygiene education from the University of Bridgeport. Her commitment to excellence is demonstrated by ongoing professional development, including earning a Certificate in Dental Infection Prevention and Control, Myofunctional Therapy, Interim Restorative Therapies, and Neuromodulators.

Michelle is the founder of MichelleStrangeRDH.com and Level Up Infection Prevention, two platforms dedicated to empowering dental professionals through education, hands-on resources, and practical strategies for success in clinical care and compliance. Most recently, she became the proud owner of SmileLogic, an independent  dental hygiene practice in Colorado that delivers value-based, patient-centered care.

With a unique blend of clinical expertise and entrepreneurial drive, Michelle continues to elevate the profession by bridging education, innovation, entrepreneurism, and real-world application.

Trial of Davids Hydroxi Toothpaste

 

About a month ago I posted about Davids Hydroxi Toothpaste.  They had just launched a new version of their product to market.  

We've seen some really interesting consumer products come to the market the last two or so years and one of things I'm always interested in is toothpastes.  You don't have to be a dentist to know that of all the consumer products on the market, the one product dental product that is used the most between professional appointments is toothpaste.  That's one of the reasons I'm always interested in these.  Patients are often looking for a recommendation and I like to keep myself up with as many products as possible.

A lot of things need to be considered when it comes to toothpastes, not only from the doctor's side, but also the perspective and decision making of the manufacturer.  

For my entire career patients have always asked me, "What's the best toothpaste to use?"  I always tell them "it depends"... because it does.  The one thing I know for sure is that a patient has to actually *like* their toothpaste.  What I mean by that is that if they don't like the taste or even the texture, that will affect how well they brush.  If something tastes bad, most people won't spend as much time with it and brushing for two minutes is highly advised.

The texture is incredibly important to a lot of people.  There are a lot of patients that don't like certain foods simply due to the way they *feel* in their mouth.  I know a lot patients that simply don't like the feeling of gel toothpastes so for them a traditional 'paste' type is the better choice.

The good folks at Davids were kind of enough to send me a full sized tube of their new Davids Hydroxi - Whitening+enamel health toothpaste to try, so here's my take after two weeks of using it exclusively

• Unflavored - the tube actually says "unflavored" which should appeal to a lot of people.  I would call it pleasant to use.  I actually like the fact that they didn't try to use some type of overpowering flavor agent
• Texture - it has a very creamy texture.  It has a thinner consistency than 'normal' toothpastes, but it is NOT runny.  It's very easy to apply to the brush and spreads across the teeth easily
• Hydroxi - the toothpaste contains hydroxyapatite which is the mineral that is truly the 'building block' of healthy enamel.  Having this in the paste should help reinforce small areas of breakdown on teeth and also help with areas of sensitivity
• Fluoride Free - for some patients this will be important.  Professionally I prefer a toothpaste with fluoride, but many patients have concerns about it.  The hydroxyapatite in the product should help prevent cavities
• Sulfate free - many people have an allergy to sodium laurel sulfate which is the foaming agent in a lot of toothpastes.  It is NOT in this product.  However, I still got a great clean feeling after rinsing.

My overall take is a good one.  I try a lot of toothpastes and this one is a winner in my book.  It's available online at Amazon and the Davids website.  

MIR (Miniature Intraoral Robot) may Change Crown Prepartion in the Future

 

Photo: University of Basel, Catherine Weyer

Sometimes I come across things in my online wanderings that are pretty amazing.  Lots of ideas for dental advancements don't ever make it to market, but that can be for a variety of reasons.  I had heard from a few industry contacts that a robot was being developed that could prepare a tooth for a crown, but I had only heard a few brief comments.  This may not be the same one I heard those whispers about, but I think the odds of that are pretty slim.  Researchers in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Basel in Switzerland are exploring the possibility of using a robot to prepare teeth for crowns.

Here's the concept and potential workflow:

• An intraoral scan is performed during the appointment when the diagnosis for a crown is made.
• The scan is used to create a special splint that attaches to the teeth and also attaches the robot to the splint.
• The crown prep is digitally planned and the final crown is fabricated prior to the prep appointment.
• The patient returns for the crown appointment.
• The splint with robot is attached to the patient's teeth.
• The robot preps the tooth following the digital prep plan.  It removes the necessary tooth structure to create an exact duplicate of the planned prep.
• The splint is removed.
• The final crown is cemented.

Of course, any dentist reading this can see a lot of potential drawbacks.  What about anesthesia?  What about decay in the tooth?  How is the decay removed?  What about a buildup?  These questions and many others will need to be answered.

However, after saying all of that I'll also say that the overall concept of this is intriguing.  Robots mill things in many industries every day.  Robots are precise and lots of things we use every day are the result of digital mills.  So I'm interested to see where this idea goes and how they work to overcome the problems.  Obviously this idea is in its very earliest stages, but the system has actually been used to prep teeth in the lab.

If you'd like to know more, you can read the article about this on a page at the University of Basel.  There has also been a pretty detailed paper written about this robot that can be read on the IEEE Xplore website.  the title of the paper is Miniature Intraoral Robot (MIR) for Minimally Invasive Tooth Preparation.  

The Costs of Hospital Care due to Periapical Abscess

 

I'll keep this short because the info you really want is in the link.  Usually a periapical abscess is easy to diagnose in a dental office.  However, if a patient can't be seen by a dentist they often end up in the emergency room and then often in a hospital room.

As all of us know, hospital care is expensive, especially when compared to the costs in a dental office. 

Today's post is from a study titled "Hospital charges and length of stay due to periapical abscess, United States 2020-2022" from the Journal of the American Dental Association.  It contains some pretty interesting info.  Over the time of the study an average of 300 patients died in a hospital from periapical abscesses.  While that's a small number in the grand scheme of how many people live in the US, that's 300 people lost to their families and our world.  In my opinion that's tragic.

Then there is the cost associated with hospital stays.  The mean charges were $35,042 for the primary diagnosis and $86,600 for a secondary diagnosis.

There is some sad and fascinating data in this article.  I believe it is available for anyone to read, not just ADA members.  Here is the link.   I'd love for some of you to give it a read and let me know your thoughts in the comments.