User`s guide

Video Exam
Recline the patient in the dental chair, as you would for a con-
ventional exam. Place the barrier-protected camera in the patient’s
mouth and start the exam in your usual intraoral location.
Depending on what type of system you have, you can capture
views of the four worst teeth (splitting the monitor screen into
more images makes them too small for any impact), every tooth,
or save the entire exam on your hard drive. It is much easier to
capture the images you wish to show the patient, rather than
attempting to let the patient watch live during the actual exam.
That approach does not allow you to point out areas of concern
on the screen and doesn’t let the patient ask questions.
When you finish the exam, sit the patient up and show
him/her the images. From a communication standpoint, it is
advantageous to sit by the patient’s side and use the mouse to
scroll through the captured images. You can use a small laser
pointer, an arrow, or draw with color (some software allows you to
do it) to pinpoint the areas of concern, thus keeping the “co-dis-
covery” on a personal level and less of a “teacher lecturing the
student” approach.
Intraoral Cameras
©2005 REALITY Publishing Co. Vol. 19
698 The Ratings
+ Improved communication with patients
+ Increased acceptance of necessary treatment
+ More comprehensive dentistry — restoring more
quadrants than single teeth
+ Patients readily accept ownership of the problem
+ Appears state-of-the-art
+ Potential for increased referrals
+ Ability to generate hard copies for patients to show
to family
+ Easier insurance acceptance of treatment
+ Saves time — patients can see problems with their
own eyes
+ Minimizes patients’ fears that you are proposing
unnecessary treatment
– Cost
– Space requirements (networked systems require mini-
mal additional space)
– Training time (minimal)
POTENTIAL ADVANTAGES
POTENTIAL DISADVANTAGES