I must confess that I have been dragged--well, maybe not kicking and screaming, but certainly hesitatingly--into the computer age. While others were listening to iPods and text messaging, I was comfortable with the tried and true implements that I have always used. I started dental assisting in the early 70s, taking some time off to raise my children. When I returned in the 80s, the biggest change I encountered was that computers were being used for making appointments and some billing. Then practice management software replaced much of the paperwork that once had occupied my time. When the practice integrated digital radiography into the treatment procedures, I quickly found out that technology can become my best assistant in the office.
After the initial learning curve on the digital imaging equipment, I found that my daily routine was improved in so many ways:
Less waiting: Probably my favorite aspect of digital radiography is that no time is wasted waiting on x-ray processing. If there is an accident, or if someone is in pain, I can take images and the doctor can formulate a treatment plan immediately. If we are running behind schedule, patients don’t have to waste their chair time waiting for the processing. Neither the patients nor the staff has time to wait during a busy workday for an x-ray to process.
Greater comfort: Of course, I needed some practice placing the sensor at first, but once I got used to it, I found that patients really appreciated the increased comfort and how the rounded corners of the sensor did not cut into their mouths like traditional film. I even found an additional advantage with the “gaggers”—with digital I can take the images really fast, and I need less retakes because I can see the images immediately on the monitor.
No more darkroom!: With traditional x-ray, at least every three weeks I had to clean the processor for 30 minutes to an hour. I really don’t miss the spills or the smell, or the frustrated look on my colleague’s face when she needed to process an x-ray and had to wait because I was changing solutions.
Less busy work: Duplicating x-rays is as easy as the click of a mouse. I can e-mail or print out images to send to referring doctors or insurance companies in seconds and get back to the patients where I belong.
Budget booster: Supply costs are reduced since we started using the digital radiography system. On my order sheet, I crossed off at least 10 to 15 items that needed to be purchased for x-ray processing and duplication on a monthly basis that we didn’t need anymore.
Although I resisted the change to digital at first, now, I enjoy the benefits every day. When the doctor is doing a root canal and wants a quick x-ray when he’s half way through, it’s literally a snap. We can pinpoint, enlarge or zoom in, and with this detailed visual image patients understand their own treatment much better.
We are located in a small town, and radiographically, we have the most advanced office--other offices are visiting us to see our equipment. Dr. Cooper was willing to try new things and I learned that I have nothing to fear with this new technology. While I once was hesitant, now I’m hooked.