As a cosmetic dentist for more than 30 years, I know that a good image goes hand-in-hand with leading-edge technology. Your patients see that you keep up with the latest techniques and technology, and they instantly trust you’re the best at what you do.
I’ve been using Dentrix practice management software since 1989, and I recently upgraded to Dentrix G6. I use the DEXIS Digital Imaging Suite because it integrates so well with Dentrix. Companies offer other products but I’ve learned the biggest challenge with technology is integration. It’s a lesson I learned the hard way because I spent nearly $25,000 in technical write-arounds for my previous digital imaging solution to make everything work together. The old system was also unreliable, and it added time to the imaging process. I had to click five different times to see the X-ray image, adding an extra two or three minutes every time. That was more than a day in lost production and time.
I spent nearly $100,000 for digital imaging sensors in my practice and thousands more on technical help, but I knew I still needed a better solution—one that would integrate seamlessly with Dentrix.
DENTRIX/DEXIS SOLUTION
A few years ago, I switched to DEXIS, a Dentrix Connected partner. I don’t worry about integration issues with Dentrix Connected products, and DEXIS had a reputation for providing the best quality as well as low-radiation images. The new imaging solution merged flawlessly with Dentrix, and provided great image quality, a comfortable sensor, and a much faster process. No bridges, no write-arounds, and no waiting for technical support. With Dentrix as the foundation, I no longer waste time worrying about technology.
RESULTS
The ability to access images from the Dentrix Patient Chart saves time for the entire team. DEXIS images are available in seconds, and they can be attached easily to insurance claims, treatment plans, referrals, and documentation. In my experience, nothing compares to the ease of using Dentrix and DEXIS. After making the switch to DEXIS, I recouped the cost of my previous imaging system in just a few months. The fast and easy display of images saves time throughout the day, keeping chair time efficient and boosting production for the office. Pictures are worth a thousand words to patients and to insurance companies, and they speed up the claims process. Patients always say ‘wow’ when they see the after-picture, and that satisfaction translates into more referrals. The time savings alone made the switch to DEXIS worthwhile for my practice. Time-saving technologies pay for themselves a lot quicker than you might think. We spend a lot of money on equipment and supplies in dentistry, but it’s just as important to consider the cost and value of your time along with the cost of equipment.
This article was originally published in Sidekick Magazine.
About the Author: Dr. Gerald Bittner, Jr. is a full-service aesthetic dentist and a pioneer in the use of laser technology. He earned his DDS in 1985 from San Francisco’s University of the Pacific School of Dentistry. An expert in cosmetic dentistry, he is a clinical instructor with the Rosenthal Group and lectures on aesthetics and laser dentistry all over the world.