Well, I survived another meeting in Chicago! The Chicago Midwinter is always a whirlwind for me. It's a series of meetings, dinners, lectures, and prowling the exhibits for new and exciting ways to make the lives of our patients better.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Impressions from the Chicago Midwinter
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Volunteers and Dental Companies Help Deliver Much Needed Care to the Country’s Youngest Citizens
Friday, February 26, 2010
Gendex Announces CB-500 in HD!
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Greetings from Chicago - And an Eaglesoft Scoop!
I'm in the windy city at the Chicago Dental Society's Midwinter meeting. I'll be tweeting when I can while I'm here from the show floor and different events I'm attending.
Hopefully I'll be able to dig up some good info for all of you.
He's the first tidbit. I have it on good authority that Patterson will be doubling the size of the Patterson Technology Center in Effingham, Illinois. The construction should take about 14 months and the staff will number about 600 when the facility is done.
Also, Eaglesoft 16 is currently in beta with about 50 offices. The release date is set for this summer and I should be getting my beta to try before too long.
More info as I get it...
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Epocrates is now avialable for Android OS Phones
If you happen to be an Android user, Epocrates is now available!
I received the info on this new beta yesterday afternoon and the program is now available for download.
Here's the lowdown:
Special Notes:
The clinical content will not be updated for the beta version of this application.
This application is for Android devices with v1.6 or higher. If you have a version lower than 1.6, please contact your carrier for update information.
You can visit our Android site for additional product details.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
WebOS 1.04 is Coming Soon...
In my rooting around the Internet is search of information, I've come across a couple of rumors concerning the latest update to the Palm Pre operating system, WebOS.
It seems the big buzz is that the next update will hit this week, perhaps as early Thursday. Anticipated upgrades include video (sweet!), a new way to launch cards, and maybe even Flash compatibility.
As usual it will be pushed out over the network when your phone is not in use of you can simply tap "Updates" from your launcher.
I'm anxious to get this one. Hopefully they will also do something to speed up the device and improve battery life as well. Those are my 2 biggest beefs.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Sopro LIFE evaluation to begin this week...
I'm a huge fan of digital caries detection. It's one of my passions and I love what it means to my patients. Over the past few years I've been lucky enough to have given quite a few lectures on the subject and I'm thrilled that the field keeps expanding with new ideas and devices.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Western Digital My Passport for Rapid Backups
This weekend I picked up a WD My Passport 1TB drive for $199. That's right, a terabyte in the form factor of a deck of cards for less than $200. It's powered by the USB bus so it requires only the USB connection and no external power.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
The Ravages of Oral Cancers
I salute Roger Ebert, film critic, who allowed Esquire Magazine to take and publish the above photograph to show just what oral cancers can do.
Those of us in the oral health care field know of the terrible things the disease can do, but to most people, it's a very rare thing. It's rare, only because we don't discuss it. Dentists and hygienists are always looking for ways to detect this disease at an earlier stage. Whether it be by devices from Trimira, LED Dental, or ViziLite we in dentistry are trying to do all we can to find and prevent this disease.
CNN has a great article on Ebert and the NBA's George Karl. Make sure to read it.
Friday, February 19, 2010
HP and Others Ready Better Priced Tablets
A big thanks to Andre at XLDent (who actually has some free time to read the WSJ) for todays post.
It seems that in yesterday's WSJ the story was that HP and other companies that are in the business of Tablet PC's and other Tablet like devices are working furiously on ways to compete with the announced Apple iPad. HP executives will meet next week with Taiwan manufacturing partners to see if they can get a device that sells for less than $629. The magic 629 is what the iPad with a 3G connection will sell for, so its important to beat that price to increase market share.
In addition to HP, the article says Sony, Acer, and Dell are also all looking at ways to profit or capitalize on the soon to be exploding "slate" market.
Interesting enough, HP will actually call theirs a "slate" which IMO is what Apple should have grabbed, but what do I know about marketing anyway?
Of course the good news for all of us is that this will start a "category war" as companies jockey for a piece of the slate market. If they can get the input system to really work I can see these devices taking off and not just because of Apple. The idea of a mobile device that fits between the horsepower of a phone and laptop is intriguing to me and I think it will catch on, but it may be a bit slower in adoption than the iPod.
My prediction is that 10 years from now those of us who carry laptops around constantly will be carrying slates and laughing about laptops the way we laugh about "bag phones" today.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
News Alert GlaxoSmithKline announced today that it will stop selling three versions of Poligrip because of concerns about health risks
February 18, 2010
Dear Dental Professional:
Since there is much news coverage about today's GlaxoSmithKline announcement, we wanted to make you aware of this news, as it may result in questions from your patients, your colleagues or members of the media in your area.
According to GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare, this action affects three Poligrip products: Super Poligrip Original, Ultra Fresh and Extra Care. GlaxoSmithKline says it will remove zinc from its denture cream, following reports that excessive use has caused neurological damage and blood problems in consumers.
The company said it plans to reformulate the product without zinc, and that the words "Zinc Free" will appear on the new packaging. In a consumer advisory on its Web site, the company said it had "become aware of potential health problems associated with the long-term excessive use of our zinc-containing denture adhesive products." To download a copy of the complete advisory, please click here (168kb PDF).
Glaxo's voluntary action follows dozens of lawsuits filed against the company alleging Poligrip caused nerve damage, resulting in symptoms such as weakness and numbness, as well as blood problems like anemia. The company says its products are safe when used as directed, but some consumers use the cream excessively to help make their dentures fit
YouMail App for My Palm Pre... or Why I Love My Blog
Yesterday's post was about the new YouMail app for the Blackberry. In that post I mentioned that I would love to have that functionality for my Palm Pre, but that it wasn't available yet.
Well a reader was nice enough to let me know about YouView, a 3rd party app for the Palm Pre that gives me a fully functional visual voicemail program that completely integrates my YouMail account with my Pre.
All I had to do was download the file, pay the $3.99 fee to activate, and enter my account info. All of the voicemails, folders, contacts... everything I have in my YouMail account on the web was available on my phone in a few seconds. I can now see who called, listen to voicemails in any order, delete with a swipe of my finger, transfer from my inbox to a folder, and call the person back... just to name a few.
Here are some highlights:
- Completely visual - see who called, from where, and even their picture.
- You can still dial in like before (if you feel the need!).
- Return the phone call with a simple tap of your finger.
- Flag voicemails that need followed up so you don’t forget.
- Save time – Play messages in any order! Tap to play or swipe to delete.
- Organize – Stay organized by placing voicemails into folders.
- Voice-To-Text Transcriptions - Know if a message truly is urgent in situations when you can't simply dial or answer your phone. Read and respond to voicemail messages while in a meeting, class, movie or other busy setting.
- Custom Greetings - Easily have different greetings for your sweetie, your friends, your co-workers and your boss. Choose from a library of free greetings or upload any sound file as a greeting.
- Share voicemails with family, friends, or colleagues via text or email.
- Automatically hang up on unwanted callers before they can leave a voicemail.
- Easily let a pesky ex or telemarketers think your number is no longer in service.
- Effortlessly sync your YouMail contacts with your phones contact list using Palm’s Synergy technology.
If you'd like to download YouView, click here!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
YouMail Releases New Version for Blackberry
YouMail could very well change the way you interact with your voicemail. From translations to text, text message notices of voicemail, the ability to save and forward messages via e-mail all make YouMail a critical part of my high tech life.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Lexi-comp Updates Blackberry Software for 2010
Lexi-Comp, Inc., a provider of clinical information and drug data solutions for healthcare professionals, has released a new version of its BlackBerry applications, designed specifically for many of the features and enhancements now available in version 5.0 of the BlackBerry OS. Lexi-Comp handheld software solutions also include compatibility with Palm OS® and Palm® webOS™ devices (Pre™ and Pixi™); Pocket PC devices; the iPod touch®; smartphones, including iPhone® and Google Android™; and Windows Mobile® devices. Individual database and package options from the Lexi-Comp ON-HAND software library are now available for purchase by visiting Lexi-Comp's BlackBerry medical and dental software page.
The new BlackBerry 5.0 application includes four key enhancements to Lexi-Comp's current BlackBerry offering. All data can now be stored on an SD card, significantly increasing reliability by eliminating the need for a consistent cell or Wi-Fi connection. Users are able to view tables, charts, appendices, and images exactly as they are seen in Lexi-Comp's handbooks and Internet platforms. Also, downloading and updating the software can now be done over the air, with no cords or syncing required. Lastly, the interface is more user-friendly, with an overall cleaner presentation of information.
Lexi-Comp ON-HAND for BlackBerry 5.0 will feature nearly all of Lexi-Comp's clinical databases in the initial release, including Lexi-Drugs®, the most comprehensive pharmacology database available. Users can create and store personalized user notes within each monograph,as well as diagnose, find treatment options, and identify drug interactions in seconds. Clinicians can link to FDA warnings, PubMed, and additional resources directly from their device. Dental professionals can utilize this mobile technology to access the same photo-rich resources presented in Lexi-Comp's highly regarded printed dental manuals. Additional licensed resources, including Harrison's Practice, The 5-Minute Clinical Consultant, and Stedman's Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing, are also available. Planned enhancements to the 5.0 version will include the addition of Lexi-I.V. Compatibility™, Lexi-Drug ID™, and Lexi-CALC™.
To purchase or demo Lexi-Comp ON-HAND solutions for BlackBerry 5.0, visit Lexi-Comp's BlackBerry medical and dental software page. Lexi-Comp's top-rated technical support services are available by calling 1-866-397-3433 or by visiting their online support portal.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Google Chrome Releases Update for Mac
I've got to admit that even though I'm a Mac user, I don't find myself using Safari much anymore. It's been replaced by Firefox and more and more by Google Chrome. They are both good browsers, but when I'm in a hurry Chrome loads exponentially faster and has many of the same features. Firefox still has more bells and whistles though, and that's why it has continued to be my number one browser followed by Chrome at number 2.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Manufacturers Look to Bring Glossy Screens to Flat Screen Televisions
I have several laptops and the last Windows machine I purchased had a glossy screen. I didn't know what to think of it at first, but it sure looked cool in the store. Once I got it home, I found that there were times that the shiny screen was actually a liability, causing me to have to reposition it to see properly.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
FastMac Introduces Green Device Protection
FastMac has developed protective sleeves that are near and dear to my Midwest born heart. They have sleeves that are filled with soybean oil that provide amazing protection. The company has actually demonstrated putting M&M's in the sleeves and hitting them with a hammer. The amazing thing is that the candies come out in perfect condition!
They will be available next month with prices starting at $30. If you are looking for a great way to protect your laptop, this is the thing! Although not yet on the website, they will be when they are available.
Friday, February 12, 2010
PLUSTEK ANNOUNCES MOBILE SCANNER WITH AUTOMATIC DOCUMENT FEEDER AND USB POWER
CERRITOS, Calif. (February 11, 2010) – Plustek Technology Inc. (www.plustek.com/usa), a manufacturer of consumer, prosumer, professional and office imaging devices (including portable document scanners, sheet fed scanners, flat bed scanners, wide format scanners and surveillance products), today announced the new MobileOffice AD450 Scanner, the latest offering from Plustek’s award-winning line of MobileOffice scanners. The MobileOffice AD450 Scanner is one of the few mobile scanners on the market with an Automatic Document Feeder and the ability to run on USB bus or AC power, making it ideal for anywhere, anytime scanning.
The AD450 turns documents such as bank statements, legal documents, insurance papers, and medical records, and even embossed plastic cards, business cards, and photos into an easy-to-use or share digital format. Documents may be placed in the Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) and with the touch of a button scans can be saved in many popular formats including: searchable PDF, JPG, TIF and popular Microsoft Office file formats. Documents can be automatically sent to different destinations such as any folder in the user’s network, email, or directly to a printer.
The AD450's small footprint and its ability to scan rigid cards including insurance cards, credit cards and membership cards, make the AD450 ideal for front desk applications such as: patient intake stations, pharmacy prescription scanning, and more.
The MobileOffice AD450 can also be used on the road. Power for the AD450 is supplied by either the USB bus or AC power. This scanner is ideal for field based and remote workers, in-truck scanning, business travel and any setting where documents need to be scanned while away from the office.
SALES/PURCHASE
The MobileOffice AD450 is MSRP USD $269 and available at the end of February. All Plustek scanners can be purchased from authorized resellers, DMRs, VARs, and distributors including Ingram Micro and D&H. For more information, please contact Plustek at infoUSA@plustek.com.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Google Announces Intention to Build Ultra Fast Internet
You've got to love the minds at Google. It seems that since the US seems to be falling behind in the speed of Internet connections, Google has taken it upon itself to create a network capable of 1Gbps speed. Current broadband is about 20mbps.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Update on the iTero Evaluation
We have been working with the Cadent iTero for a month now. Since we began working with the device in early January, I have only taken one conventional vinylpolyether impression and that was on an unusual case. All other fixed prosthetic cases have been imaged and fabricated using the digital impression technology.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Reebok Set to Release Zig Tech in 30 Days
I've always been a sucker for a cool pair of athletic shoes. I love to run and because of that, my legs and knees take a beating so I'm always looking for ways to decrease the stress and strain.
Well... Reebok may be onto something here with the Zig Tech shoe line. The idea is basically a "lightning bolt" shape of a sole that is said to impart more energy to the legs than a standard shaped sole.
And never mind all the technology, they flat out just look cool. I think I'll have to be shopping for a pair as soon as they are available in March. Here's the press release:
CANTON, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–What would you do if you had more energy? Run faster? Train longer? On March 11th, Reebok allows athletes to find out with the highly anticipated launch of ZigTech, the brand’s most technically advanced running and training shoe. ZigTech allows your key leg muscles to do less, so you can do more. Simply put, it’s like an energy drink for your feet.
Everything about Reebok’s ZigTech footwear is designed to conserve and return energy to the athlete for a soft and springy ride. The one-of-a-kind ZigTech bottom unit features an innovative, lightweight foam that is engineered into a dramatic, geometric, zig-zag shape. This unique zig-shaped sole absorbs the impact of heel strike and sends a wave of energy along the length of the shoe to help propel the athlete forward with each step.
“Traditional energy return is focused only on the vertical impact of the heel strike,” said Reebok’s Head of Advanced Innovation, Bill McInnis. “In contrast, ZigTech is designed to transfer energy horizontally along the zigs so the athlete gets that energy back in the forefoot.”
The lightweight, flexible bottom unit, minimalist upper, and whisper-quiet ground contact also contribute to making ZigTech a new standard in running and training footwear. In fact, by wearing Reebok’s ZigTech footwear, training longer just got easier. The technology causes up to 20% less wear and tear on key leg muscles, especially the shins and hamstrings.
“Shin splints are extremely common for pro athletes like me,” said NFL superstar Peyton Manning. “Wearing ZigTechs give players a bounce, an energy that lets us train longer with less strain on key leg muscles, like shins. This ultimately enables athletes to stay healthier during the season.”
Reebok’s ZigTech footwear collection is available for men and women in an array of bold, bright colors that will truly stand out in the gym. Edgy, trend setting athletes like football phenom Chad Ochocinco are big fans of the aggressive design. “I had my ZigTechs in the locker room and all my teammates were trying to check them out,” said Ochocinco. “ZigTechs stand apart from any training shoe out there. They are bold and confident, perfect for an athlete like me.”
Manning and Ochocinco are joined by last year’s Super Bowl MVP, Santonio Holmes, 2008 Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, World Series star pitcher Andy Pettitte, Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum, Stanley Cup winner Sidney Crosby, NHL All-Star Alexander Ovechkin, boxing great “Sugar” Shane Mosley, basketball icon Allen Iverson, home run king David Ortiz, soccer standouts Thierry Henry and Ryan Giggs, and hundreds more athletes who run and train in Reebok’s ZigTech footwear.
ZigTech debuts at major retailers including Dick’s Sporting Goods, Foot Locker, Finish Line and on Reebok.com on March 11, 2010 for a suggested price of $100. The launch will be supported by a major marketing campaign including TV, print and online advertising. To learn more, visit Reebok.com/zigtech.
Monday, February 8, 2010
A Germanium Laser may Boost Storage and Computer Speeds
God bless the brains at MIT. The number of tech wonders they've developed stuns the imagination. Now there are reports of a developed Germanium laser that might very well change computing as we know it.
It seems that as processors and bandwidth get faster and faster, the big slowdown in our systems is the bulky, heat generating, and power hungry copper that moves the electrons around in our electronics. This is looking like the next bottleneck that will have to be overcome to increase computing speeds.
Well, MIT may very well have solved the bottleneck with the development of this laser. It seems that the laser might actually be able to be fabricated directly onto chips when they are manufactured. Imagine a computer chip with its own built-in laser! This would allow things to move around the computer at the speed of light with very little added heat.
There's no word on a timetable for deployment, but it's little discoveries like this that can often mean big changes and advancement on down the road.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
The Chevy Volt is Coming... and You can Order One This Year
As most of you regular readers know, this fall I went green when I purchased a Chevy Tahoe Hybrid. While I'm still loving it every time I get behind the wheel (not to mention every time I can pass a fuel pump) this post isn't about me. It's about the next big thing in green driving.
The Chevy Volt has been shown at car shows and has been talked about for a few years now, but it seems that you'll finally be able to get your hands on one this calendar year. GM dealers should begin taking orders in September with a target delivery date of November.
The biggest/coolest thing about the Volt? Well there's tons of technology, but the big thing is 230 mpg. No, that's not a typo. See your Chevy dealer this fall.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Center for Esthetic Excellence Announces CE Course Schedule
The Center for Esthetic Excellence (CEE) in Chicago, Illinois has one of the most highly regarded faculties of any continuing dental education programs in the world. The CEE programs combine a lecture and “hands-on” class format and each course is limited to fifteen participants which is conducive to a more intimate learning experience. Learn skills that will take your career to the next level while practicing in-office techniques in a fully equipped ultra-modern facility. For more information or to see the 2010 schedule and course descriptions, please call 1-800-837-2321 or visit www.cosmedent.com.
Friday, February 5, 2010
OraPharma, Inc.’s ARESTIN® Honored for the Sixth Consecutive Year with Coveted 2009 Townie Choice Award
Warminster, PA (February 4, 2010) − OraPharma, Inc., a specialty oral health company dedicated to bringing scientific and technological products to the dental community, recently announced that its ARESTIN® (minocycline hydrochloride) Microspheres, 1 mg continues to be regarded as the standard of care for locally administered antibiotics (LAA) used as a part of comprehensive periodontal disease treatment by dentists and hygienists alike.
For the sixth year in a row, ARESTIN® was overwhelmingly named the LAA of choice in the 2009 Townie Choice Awards from Dentaltown, and is featured in the December 2009 issue. ARESTIN® is indicated as an adjunct treatment to scaling and root planing (SRP) procedures for reduction of pocket depth in patients with adult periodontitis.
The Townie Choice Awards were created to provide dental professionals with a peer-driven source of information when making difficult purchase decisions. What’s more, the Townie Choice Award is the only honor in dentistry that is bestowed directly from the clinicians who treat patients every day.
“Each product chosen by our readers plays an important part in their everyday professional success based on positive patient outcomes,” remarked Thomas Giacobbi, DDS, FAGD, editorial director, Dentaltown. “The Townie Choice Awards are very influential and provide an accurate profile of our Dentaltown community product loyalties.”
“We’re pleased and honored that ARESTIN® is consistently selected by dental professionals as an essential part of their standard of care when treating periodontal disease,” said OraPharma’s Product Director, ARESTIN®, Ben Sandefur. “We are dedicated to continuing this trend in 2010 with ongoing efforts to increase awareness of periodontal disease and the need for comprehensive periodontal disease treatment.”
For a complete list of all winning Townie Choice products, please pick up the December 2009 issue of Dentaltown, or log onto www.dentaltown.com.
About OraPharma, Inc.
OraPharma, Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, and commercializes therapeutics for the treatment of periodontal disease at various phases of progression. ARESTIN® (minocycline hydrochloride) Microspheres, 1 mg (www.myarestin.com) is indicated as an adjunct to scaling and root planing procedures for reduction of pocket depth in patients with adult periodontitis. OSSIX™ PLUS™ (resorbable collagen membrane) is used in guided bone regeneration (GBR) and guided tissue regeneration (GTR) procedures. For more information about OraPharma and its products, visit www.orapharma.com.
About ARESTIN®
ARESTIN® (minocycline hydrochloride) Microspheres, 1 mg is indicated as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) procedures for reduction of pocket depth in patients with adult periodontitis. ARESTIN® may be used as part of a periodontal maintenance program which includes good oral hygiene and scaling and root planing.
ARESTIN® contains minocycline, a tetracycline derivative, and therefore should not be used in children and in pregnant or nursing women. The use of drugs of the tetracycline class during tooth development may cause permanent discoloration of the teeth.
The most common treatment-emergent adverse events were headache (9.0%), infection (7.6%), flu syndrome (5.0%), and pain (4.3%). These occurred at a similar rate to SRP and SRP + placebo.
ARESTIN® and OSSIX™ PLUS™ are trademarks of OraPharma, Inc.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Down But Not Out... At Least Not Completely
Sorry for the lack of posts yesterday and today. I've been sick as a dog with some type of bug and researching for the blog has taken a backseat to Advil and lots of fluids. Posts will resume tomorrow.
We now return you to our regularly scheduled sneezing and laryngitis...
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Amazon Changes Stance and Once Again Sells Macmillan Titles
It was a short lived decision, but Amazon has reinstated the selling of titles from publisher Macmillan after removing them on Saturday.
Macmillan wants to sell their books for more than the $9.99 that Amazon prefers for Kindle titles. Amazon had this to say, "We want you to know that ultimately, however, we will have to capitulate and accept Macmillan's terms because Macmillan has a monopoly over their own titles, and we will want to offer them to you even at prices we believe are needlessly high for e-books," the company said. "Amazon customers will at that point decide for themselves whether they believe it's reasonable to pay $14.99 for a bestselling e-book."
Rather than the $9.99 price tag Amazon prefers, Macmillan is using a pricing structure of $12.99 to $14.99 for e-book versions of bestsellers and most hardcover titles they are selling.
Whether this sticks long term is anyone's guess. One of the big advantages of the Kindle to me is price and instantaneous delivery. While I don't think twice about a $9.99 title, I might hesitate at a more expensive one.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Pogoplug Lets You Access Your Files Anywhere via the Internet
There are a lot of ways to get your information over the Internet, but all of them that I' aware of require you to pay a monthly fee. This is a little gadget called the Pogoplug that lets you share from attached USB drives to anyone/anywhere on the Internet that you specify. The cost is $129 and that's it. No monthly fees. There is even an iPhone app that allows you to access your files from your phone.
If you have the need to have data available anywhere, Pogoplug may be just what you are looking for. Check out their website for more info.