digitize/overlay w - dolphinimaging.com · x-rays to the mix, and the task becomes even more...

6
Your Dolphin ® Newsletter What’s New Dolphin at 2008 Dolphin Meeting, San Diego Spring is right around the corner and so is the 2008 Dolphin Meeting! Pack your sunscreen and join us March 6-8 at the luxurious Loews Coronado Bay Resort, located on the seductive island of Coronado, just off the coast of San Diego. World-renown guest presenters will be on hand: Dr. Ron Ron- cone, Dr. Richard P. McLaughlin, Dr. Bob Williams, Dr. Viren Patel; Dr. Ed Lin, Ms. Lori Garland Parker, Mr. Paul Zuelke, and Dr. Russell Chang are just a few who will be sharing their knowledge with attendees. • Learn about the latest developments in Dolphin Management and Dolphin Imaging! • Join developers on an in-depth tour of Aquarium! • Get up-close-and-personal with your data in Dolphin 3D! • Don’t miss the NEW Hands-On Camera Class with Barbara Brinker and Kim Franks! • Bring your ideas to the table at the new Suggestion Box Lunch! Registration fee includes three full days of classes, two continental breakfasts and two lunches, complimentary Margarita Welcome Reception, and the Famous Friday Night Party. For more infor- mation and to register, visit www.dolphinimaging.com. AFP Imaging chooses Dolphin Premium 3D as its exclusive base software. A recent partnership with AFP Imaging in El- msford, New York, has resulted in the bun- dling of Dolphin 3D with NewTom VG CBCT imaging systems. Dolphin was chosen because of its powerful features and friendly interface. Images captured on the device will be instantly embedded in Dolphin Imaging’s database for immediate, accurate analysis and presentation of craniofacial anatomy. The special Dolphin software package is installed at no charge to the NewTom customer, who will consequently receive 12 months of Dolphin technical support following the purchase. At the end of the 12-month period, users will have the option of purchasing a support contract. allows you to generate a post-treatment tracing using the pre-treatment tracing.” Why superimpose? Due to the inherent error built into the superimposition process, many practitioners forgo it entirely. “Most practicing orthodontists have not developed the habit of evaluating the progress of their patients’ treatment; because of this, it often happens that the treatment they planned is not being executed accurately,” says Budi Kusnoto, DDS, MS, assistant professor and clinic director in the Department of Orthodontics at the University of Illinois at Chicago. “Cephalometric superimposition is the least-invasive, scientifically proven way to assess a patient’s treatment progress. By taking gradual progress records—at least once a year—and using superimposition technique to observe the changes that might occur during treatment, we hope to improve the accuracy Continue to p.2 Echoes Ensemble: Executive Editor: Chester Wang Editor/Staff Writer: Lisa Randazzo Art Director: Michael Gunawan Marketing Coordinator: Elvia Gomez henever you last manually tracked a patient’s treatment through progress cephalometric superimpositions, you no doubt experienced the tedium of trying to synchronize a moving target. Monitoring a patient’s treatment has histori- cally been an art, owing to the inherent inability to accurately superimpose “stable” anatomical landmarks. Add today’s digital x-rays to the mix, and the task becomes even more challenging. The Digitize/Overlay feature in Dolphin Imaging’s Ceph Tracing software module takes the guesswork out of the entire process: “This feature lets you accurately sync the electronic tracings from different time points,” explains Ken Gladstone, manager of imaging software products. “Let’s say you take an x-ray be- fore treatment, then another one after treatment. This feature Digitize/Overlay The Digitize/Overlay function of Dolphin Imaging’s Ceph Tracing program lets you accurately create superimposed tracings from multiple time points. Message from Chester Dear Dolphin family member – Season’s Greetings! I may have gone back to shorter hair since the last issue, but your Echoes remains full of tips and useful information on Dolphin. Dolphin has broadened its reach to adjacent specialties through newer products such as 3D and Aquarium case presentation. As we leave 2007, we feature another specialty that Dolphin is heavily involved in: pediatric dentistry. Long-time customer Dr. Chris Baker from Lexington, Kentucky, tells us how she uses prevention to make big differences in the lives of her little patients. Also, (drum roll, please) we reveal the heart of Dolphin Management software with a profile of our talented development team. Courageously led by Todd Blankenbecler, in a few short years they’ve built Dolphin Management into one of the most-used practice management software products in orthodontics! One example of their contribution: the wonderful staff at Chang Orthodontics (Southern California) demonstrates how their practice eliminated paper using the Dolphin Document Organizer. We are privileged to have Dr. Ron Roncone join us in our new Guest Expert Corner. Dr. Roncone shares his secrets to running an efficient and profitable practice. Dr. Budi Kusnoto (University of Illinois at Chicago) uses his Dolphin expertise to demystify the art of creating accurate electronic superimposed tracings. While it might be easy to say this from sunny Southern California, we do wish you to stay warm and have the happiest of holidays! See you in 2008! Chester H. Wang Managing Director In This Issue Customer Profile: Dr. Chris Baker Imaging Product Highlight: Digitize/Overlay What’s New Dolphin Profile: Management Development Team Management Product Highlight: Doc. Organizer Guest Expert: Dr. Ron Roncone Imaging Spotlight: Rechecking Technique Tips & Tricks Calendar DigiKnow? 1 1 1 2 3 3 4 5 6 6 W 9200 Eton Avenue Chatsworth, CA 91311 U.S.A. Product Highlight: Digitize/Overlay Volume 20/Issue 4 December-February 2008 Continue to p.4 Customer Profile: Chris Baker, RN, DMD espite more than two decades of orthodontic practice under her belt, Dr. Chris Baker’s former career as a registered nurse is more than just a line on her resume: Ten years practicing as an RN in the ICU, CCU and ER left her with a desire to impact patient lives in such a way that would resonate far into their future. Pediatric dentistry and orthodontics offered her that opportunity. “I draw on my nursing background every day,” she tells us. “It has given me spirituality: I was in the business of life and death, and now I am in the business of life— giving people better lives to look forward to. I am impacting the course of people’s lives, starting at a very young age. It is a great feeling.” At her private practice in Lexington, Kentucky, Dr. Baker’s patient base is defined by more than age alone: she also specializes in treating patients with special needs, regardless of their life stage. In addition, she donates her professional time to the children of the Galilean Home for Children in nearby Casey County, where she helps improve the lives of unwanted, needy children from all over the world. In all her endeavors, she says, Dolphin software helps her make a difference in these children’s lives. On Beauty Duty “I have a strong belief that what we’re doing, in orthodontics, tremendously transforms the lives of the children we treat,” says Dr. Baker, who cites comprehensive research regarding universal perceptions of beauty and the ensuing psychosocial effects of facial abnormalities. While we are raised to believe that love is blind and beauty is in the eye of the beholder, science paints a far less subjective portrait: studies have consistently shown specific esthetic norms to cut across demographics such as culture, age and gender. “To me, that really drives home how important are our smiles.” The good news is that a scientific target presents more attainable goals than does an abstract ideal. The even better news is that the tools required to achieve it are housed in today’s constantly evolving technology. “Dolphin complements my predilection for excellence,” says Dr. Baker. “It allows me to enhance pictures D In pediatric dentistry and orthodontics, Dr. Chris Baker cherishes her opportunity to positively affect the life course of her young patients. Providing Potential Chris Baker, RN, DMD Doyle & Baker, PSC Lexington, Kentucky, United States Customer Since: 2000 Products used: Treatment Simulation (VTO, Surgical VTO, Growth); Consultation & Image Library; ImagingPlus; Ceph Tracing; Dolphin Letter System; Aquarium through Prevention Doyle & Baker Orthodontics is housed in an old bank building, and in- cludes all the bank artifacts such as the vault and drive-through window.

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Page 1: Digitize/Overlay W - dolphinimaging.com · x-rays to the mix, and the task becomes even more challenging. The Digitize/Overlay feature in Dolphin Imaging’s Ceph Tracing software

Y o u r D o l p h i n® N e w s l e t t e r

What’s New Dolphinat

2008 Dolphin Meeting, San DiegoSpring is right around the corner and so is the 2008 Dolphin Meeting! Pack your sunscreen and join us March 6-8 at the luxurious Loews Coronado Bay Resort, located on the seductive island of Coronado, just off the coast of San Diego.

World-renown guest presenters will be on hand: Dr. Ron Ron-cone, Dr. Richard P. McLaughlin, Dr. Bob Williams, Dr. Viren Patel; Dr. Ed Lin, Ms. Lori Garland Parker, Mr. Paul Zuelke, and Dr. Russell Chang are just a few who will be sharing their knowledge with attendees. • Learn about the latest developments in Dolphin Management

and Dolphin Imaging! • Join developers on an in-depth tour of Aquarium!• Get up-close-and-personal with your data in Dolphin 3D! • Don’t miss the NEW Hands-On Camera Class with Barbara

Brinker and Kim Franks! • Bring your ideas to the table at the new Suggestion Box Lunch!Registration fee includes three full days of classes, two continental breakfasts and two lunches, complimentary Margarita Welcome Reception, and the Famous Friday Night Party. For more infor-mation and to register, visit www.dolphinimaging.com.

AFP Imaging chooses Dolphin Premium 3D as its exclusive base software.

A recent partnership with AFP Imaging in El-msford, New York, has resulted in the bun-dling of Dolphin 3D with NewTom VG CBCT imaging systems. Dolphin was chosen because

of its powerful features and friendly interface. Images captured on the device will be instantly embedded in Dolphin Imaging’s database for immediate, accurate analysis and presentation of craniofacial anatomy. The special Dolphin software package is installed at no charge to the NewTom customer, who will consequently receive 12 months of Dolphin technical support following the purchase. At the end of the 12-month period, users will have the option of purchasing a support contract.

allows you to generate a post-treatment tracing using the pre-treatment tracing.”

Why superimpose?Due to the inherent error built into the superimposition process, many practitioners forgo it entirely. “Most practicing orthodontists have not developed the habit of evaluating the progress of their patients’ treatment; because of this, it often happens that the treatment they planned is not being executed accurately,” says Budi Kusnoto, DDS, MS, assistant professor and clinic director in the Department of Orthodontics at the University of Illinois at Chicago. “Cephalometric superimposition is the least-invasive, scientifically proven way to assess a patient’s treatment progress. By taking gradual progress records—at least once a year—and using superimposition technique to observe the changes that might occur during treatment, we hope to improve the accuracy

Continue to p.2

Echoes Ensemble:Executive Editor: Chester WangEditor/Staff Writer: Lisa RandazzoArt Director: Michael GunawanMarketing Coordinator: Elvia Gomez

henever you last manually tracked a patient’s treatment through progress cephalometric superimpositions, you no doubt experienced the tedium of trying to synchronize

a moving target. Monitoring a patient’s treatment has histori-cally been an art, owing to the inherent inability to accurately superimpose “stable” anatomical landmarks. Add today’s digital x-rays to the mix, and the task becomes even more challenging. The Digitize/Overlay feature in Dolphin Imaging’s Ceph Tracing software module takes the guesswork out of the entire process: “This feature lets you accurately sync the electronic tracings from different time points,” explains Ken Gladstone, manager of imaging software products. “Let’s say you take an x-ray be-fore treatment, then another one after treatment. This feature

Digitize/OverlayThe Digitize/Overlay function of Dolphin Imaging’s Ceph Tracing program lets you accurately create superimposed tracings from multiple time points.

Message from Chester

Dear Dolphin family member –

Season’s Greetings! I may have gone back to shorter hair since the last issue, but your Echoes remains full of tips and useful information on Dolphin.

Dolphin has broadened its reach to adjacent specialties through newer products such as 3D and Aquarium case presentation. As we leave 2007, we feature another specialty that Dolphin is heavily involved in: pediatric dentistry. Long-time customer Dr. Chris Baker from Lexington, Kentucky, tells us how she uses prevention to make big differences in the lives of her little patients.

Also, (drum roll, please) we reveal the heart of Dolphin Management software with a profile of our talented development team. Courageously led by Todd Blankenbecler, in a few short years they’ve built Dolphin Management into one of the most-used practice management software products in orthodontics! One example of their contribution: the wonderful staff at Chang Orthodontics (Southern California) demonstrates how their practice eliminated paper using the Dolphin Document Organizer.

We are privileged to have Dr. Ron Roncone join us in our new Guest Expert Corner. Dr. Roncone shares his secrets to running an efficient and profitable practice.

Dr. Budi Kusnoto (University of Illinois at Chicago) uses his Dolphin expertise to demystify the art of creating accurate electronic superimposed tracings.

While it might be easy to say this from sunny Southern California, we do wish you to stay warm and have the happiest of holidays!

See you in 2008!

Chester H. WangManaging Director

In T

his

Issu

e

Customer Profile: Dr. Chris Baker

Imaging Product Highlight: Digitize/Overlay

What’s New

Dolphin Profile: Management Development Team

Management Product Highlight: Doc. Organizer

Guest Expert: Dr. Ron Roncone

Imaging Spotlight: Rechecking Technique

Tips & Tricks

Calendar

DigiKnow?

1

1

1

2

3

3

4

5

6

6

W

9200 Eton Avenue

Chatsworth, CA 91311

U.S.A.

Product Highlight: Digitize/Overlay

Volume 20/Issue 4

December-February 2008

Continue to p.4

Customer Profile: Chris Baker, RN, DMD

espite more than two decades of orthodontic practice under her belt, Dr. Chris Baker’s former career as a registered nurse is more than just a line on her resume: Ten years practicing as an RN in

the ICU, CCU and ER left her with a desire to impact patient lives in such a way that would resonate far into their future. Pediatric dentistry and orthodontics offered her that opportunity. “I draw on my nursing background every day,” she tells us. “It has given me spirituality: I was in the business of life and death, and now I am in the business of life—giving people better lives to look forward to. I am impacting the course of people’s lives, starting at a very young age. It is a great feeling.”

At her private practice in Lexington, Kentucky, Dr. Baker’s patient base is defined by more than age alone: she also specializes in treating patients with special needs, regardless of their life stage. In addition, she donates her professional time to the children of the Galilean Home for Children in nearby Casey County, where she helps improve the lives of unwanted, needy children from all over the world. In all her endeavors, she says, Dolphin software helps her make a difference in these children’s lives. On Beauty Duty “I have a strong belief that what we’re doing, in orthodontics, tremendously transforms the lives of the children we treat,” says Dr. Baker, who cites comprehensive research regarding universal perceptions of beauty and the ensuing psychosocial effects of facial abnormalities.

While we are raised to believe that love is blind and beauty is in the eye of the beholder, science paints a far less subjective portrait: studies have consistently shown specific esthetic norms to cut across demographics such as culture, age and gender. “To me, that really drives home how important are our smiles.” The good news is that a scientific target presents more attainable goals than does an abstract ideal. The even better news is that the tools required to achieve it are housed in today’s constantly evolving technology. “Dolphin complements my predilection for excellence,” says Dr. Baker. “It allows me to enhance pictures

D

In pediatric dentistry and orthodontics, Dr. Chris Baker cherishes her opportunity to positively affect the life course of her young patients.

Providing Potential

Chris Baker, RN, DMDDoyle & Baker, PSCLexington, Kentucky, United StatesCustomer Since: 2000Products used: Treatment Simulation (VTO, Surgical VTO, Growth);

Consultation & Image Library; ImagingPlus; Ceph Tracing; Dolphin Letter System; Aquarium

through Prevention

Doyle & Baker Orthodontics is housed in an old bank building, and in-cludes all the bank artifacts such as the vault and drive-through window.

Page 2: Digitize/Overlay W - dolphinimaging.com · x-rays to the mix, and the task becomes even more challenging. The Digitize/Overlay feature in Dolphin Imaging’s Ceph Tracing software

tence finally joined Dolphin in 2004.

The Rewards“Working for Dolphin has been a rewarding experience both personally and as a developer,” says Wes. “I work in a fun environment with gifted friends. While the work is fast-paced and progressive, the atmosphere is casual and relaxed. Dolphin provides the freedom and flexibility to allow me to reach my full potential and the guidance from experts pushes me to be a better developer.”

“Software development is very much a creative process because there are hundreds if not thousands of ways to solve the problems we are faced with every day,” says Dewitt. “From an analytical perspective, there are often dozens of factors and scenarios to consider when intro-ducing a new feature or improving upon an old one. If you don’t plan ahead and think of every-thing up front, eventually your users will for you and that’s never ideal.”

December 20072 Echoes-Your Dolphin Newsletter - December - February 2008

Dolphin Management Development TeamD

olp

hin

Pro

file

hey’re creative, quirky, and capable of spending endless hours sitting quietly at a keyboard. Instinctively drawn to com-puters at a young age, it’s ironic that not

a single member of the Dolphin Management development team considered his childhood hobby might ever provide a livelihood. “As a kid I didn’t really see programming as anything that could be used for productive purposes,” says Dewitt Blankenship, senior software engineer and technical lead. “I just enjoyed making games and nifty graphics. It wasn’t until later, when I began doing it professionally, that I saw the reward in making people’s jobs more efficient and easier.”

Problem SolversAt once painstakingly analytical and purposefully hypothetical, each team member represents a delicate dovetail of left-brain and right-brain. “I was drawn to programming because it is challenging and provides a great creative outlet; it is somewhere between an art and a science,” says Wes Wilson, software engineer, who began building his first BASIC programs while still in middle school. “There is always an infinite number of ways to solve any given problem, and I enjoy trying to create elegant and ef-ficient solutions.” What unites them is the love of a good puzzle—and the enthusiasm to ex-plore its unlimited answers. “This line of work is just a series of critical-thinking word prob-lems,” says Paul Story, software engineer. “So all day I figure out problems and resolutions to

them. I am entitled to a lot of freedom to find the best resolution that I see fit for the product.”

Loryn Steinrad, the team’s quality assurance engineer, began coding HTML in high school, and even dabbled in graphic design. “My interest in programming came early in high school when I took my first programming class,” he tells us. “What interested me about computer technol-ogy was the ability to create something out of nothing—to take a blank parchment and turn it into a great painting; this was especially rel-evant in the early web design days.”

Steve Kasputis, senior software engineer, claims it was his love for science fiction and all things geeky that led him toward technology.

“In 1981 when our school offered an elective computer class, I thought it would be the coolest thing ever,” he says. “Within three weeks my friend and I knew more than the teacher and we never looked back.”

Road to Dolphin“I was originally contracted with Dolphin to develop the data conversion program for the very first Dolphin Management install, Dr. Lemchen,” says Dewitt, whose programming career spans 13 years. “I continued to work on a contract basis, and eventually accepted a full-time position in 2004.”

Steve had been writing orthodontic software programs for years before being recruited onto the Dolphin Management team. “I started programming in the 7th grade,” says Steve, who is self-taught and eventually earned a degree in Computer Science. “I got hired about four months before we installed Dr. Lemchen.”

Paul, on the other hand, began his academic studies in Political Science, stumbling into technology through the back door. “While in school, I worked in the computer lab as my work study project,” he tells us. “I later did some odd jobs as a freelance network/systems administrator, earned my Microsoft Certified Professional Certificate, and worked at a POS software company before starting at Dolphin in tech support.”

Loryn holds a BS in Information Technology, and like Paul he also began at Dolphin in tech support—and kicked off his career in a far-flung field: “Nine or 10 years ago, I was working as a mechanic at the local bowling alley, and I knew someone who worked at Dolphin. It seemed like a great company, and I really wanted to get out of bowling and get involved with computers, but there weren’t any openings at that time,” says Loryn, who after much persis-

Truly greater than the sum of its parts, the members of the Dolphin Management development team share a natural curiosity and an eye for the abstract.

T

of our treatment. Unfortunately, this process possesses some inaccuracy inherent in the act of tracing, landmark identifica-tion, scaling, and building anatomical structures. The Dolphin Ceph Tracing software module has a Digitize/Overlay feature that allows the practitioner to bring up a previous digitized ra-diograph (t1) and use it as a template to create the current one (t2), or vice versa.” Specifically, the Digitize/Overlay feature enables the user to select particular structures in the existing tracing to be used as a template.

Getting in SyncWhen preparing for a superimposition, it is important to ensure that all reference lines, planes and other structures in the cra-nial base region are synchronized and have the same orien-tation throughout the series of radiographs being compared. “Upon correcting the head positioning in the Dolphin software, adjust the FHP, for example, to be registered on infra orbit-ale and oriented around porion, making sure it is horizontal. The SN can be checked based on normative values. The over-lay tracing is equipped with a control line, making it adjustable for positioning and rotation,” explains Dr. Kusnoto. “The final stage of preparing the tracing for superimposition is adjusting the shape/outline tracing. Using the Digitize/Overlay function, the user can start adjusting other structures. Begin with the ‘stable’ structures such as cribiform plate and anterior cra-nial base. By going back and forth between “digitizing menu” and “overlay menu” this task can be done easily. Once all the stable structures are adjusted using t1, the doctor can then adjust the remaining structures to their corresponding cepha-logram. Upon finishing these steps, the series of radiographs can be superimposed with a high degree of accuracy.”

Continued from Digitize/Overlay (p.1)

t1

t2

Dewitt Blankenship“When my father brought home a Radio Shack TRS-80 Model III computer and turned it on, I was instantly hooked,” says Dewitt, who taught himself BASIC and Pascal and later C++ computer languages. It wasn’t until he was halfway through college that he seriously considered a career in programming. “Up to that point I was determined to become an aeronautical engineer. Perhaps the end of the Cold War, reduced defense budget, and subsequent layoffs at Lockheed and Boeing were enough to change my mind?”

Loryn Steinrad“Because I work in quality control it’s hard to keep a fine line between pleasing the customer and making things right. Every day I find issues that get solved before our software gets into the field and into the doctors’ offices is very rewarding to me.”

Steve Kasputis“The two things they say you are not sup-posed to talk about—religion and poli-

tics—are the two subjects I like to talk about the most. I’ve been a youth counselor for my church for about 7 years, working with high school kids. I teach Bible Study on Sunday mornings and I lead a young men’s small group on Sunday nights. Besides my family, the thing I’m most passionate about is my faith in God.”

Paul Story“Writing SQL was my first taste of programming and I liked it! I began writing small programs in my spare time as a hobby and eventually transitioned from support to the conversion team, where I honed my programming skills by improving or developing programs to convert clients from competitive software applications.”

Wes WilsonWes received a BS in Computer Science with a specialty in Artificial Intelligence from Georgia Institute of Tech-nology. “Georgia Tech provided interesting and unique opportunities, such as classes programming Sony Aibo robotic digs to play soccer and research tracking monkeys with lasers.” You can see more of Wes at random timeslots on cable TV, where he starred in the second season of CW’s Beauty & the Geek. [Note: Beauty and the Geek and CW TV are registered trademarks of CW Television Network.]

Todd BlankenbeclerManager, Dolphin Management Development

“In one capacity or another, I have been involved with orthodontic software for 15 years. I came aboard at Dolphin in 2004 to take over the direction of its then-new management software. As manager of the Dolphin Management development team, I over-see critical components of each update, determine release dates, work with support, trainers, consultants, IT companies and doc-tors to determine what needs to go into the product.”

“Of all the existing cephalometric software in the current mar-ket today, Dolphin Imaging certainly provides a unique tool for the clinician to improve the accuracy of the superimposition, thereby improving the accuracy of accessing treatment out-come,” says Dr. Kusnoto. “By assessing treatment outcome in a scientific way, clinicians can enhance their clinical skill and develop the insight for each case to deliver better treatment.”

Dr. Budi KusnotoDr. Budi Kusnoto is a full-time assistant pro-fessor and clinic director in the Department of Orthodontics at the University of Illinois at Chicago. His computer science background and knowledge of biomechanics as well as management of craniofacial deformities are complementary to his teaching in the field of orthodontic diagnosis and treatment plan-ning. He has also been actively involved in clinical research of many specialized areas, including 3D imaging and computerized treatment simulation.

“Ceph superimposition is the least-invasive way to assess treatment progress.”

The overlay feature enables the clinician to evaluate whether his/her simulation/plan was executed appro-priately. In this case after 1 year of maximum anchor-age in the upper arch, turn out that upper incisor was sufficiently retracted (as planned – red) but doesn’t have enough labial torque control (green). Whereas the lower Incisor is halfway being retracted and it is time to lost anchorage in the lower molar

Page 3: Digitize/Overlay W - dolphinimaging.com · x-rays to the mix, and the task becomes even more challenging. The Digitize/Overlay feature in Dolphin Imaging’s Ceph Tracing software

tant should conclude the appointment with demonstrations using dentiforms, appropriate appliances, and/or patient education programs such as Aquarium™.

3. Financial arrangements should be accessi-ble, offering “relaxed” terms when necessary. 4. Written materials such as brochures describ-ing your practice and team, and personalized letters regarding the patient exam, should be given to the patient to take home. The letters should explain diagnosis, treatment options, and financial details.

5. All appropriate, future appointments should be scheduled before the conclusion of the first visit.

6. Implement a follow-up system for those that do not sign up to start as well as for those that do.

There are many other Practice Systems with a multitude of subsystems. The above is just an overview of a few of them. All of the computerized systems mentioned above are available in the Dolphin Management Roncone Modules software.

3December 2007G

uest Exp

ert Co

rnerEchoes-Your Dolphin Newsletter - December - February 2008

Product Highlight: Dolphin Management Document Organizer

EfficiencyPaper charts are obsolete at Chang Orthodontics, where the staff has found they work faster and with less expense than in the past. “We no longer set up paper charts for our patients because everything is saved or scanned into the DDO and then shredded,” says Heidi Spothelfer, treatment coordinator at Chang Orthodontics. “It is a huge time saver not to have to physically pull or locate the patient’s chart to find information regarding that patient. It has cut down on the amount of labor to put charts together, as well as saving money on paper and ink to make copies.” Staff members at Chang Orthodontics each have a scanner and a shredder at their workstation, allowing them to route docu-mentation through the practice without ever leaving their chairs. “We use the Xerox Document 152 scanners,” says Letty Alonso, financial and treatment coordinator. “I love being able to post the insurance payments and be able to scan the EOB into the patient’s file and shred immediately after. It is awesome not hav-ing to file tons of EOBs.”

ConvenienceAll aspects of a patient’s file can be routed through the Docu-ment Organizer, making it a useful tool for all staff members. “For instance, you can take a letter from the oral surgeon and attach it to the electronic record of the patient,” says Todd Blan-kenbecler, Dolphin vice president of sales. The DDO also has a printing mechanism, which files data electronically each time it produces a hard copy. “When you print a letter or financial statement, the program will automatically save a PDF file to the patient’s electronic record. A benefit of this would be in the in-stance that a patient calls two weeks after you sent it out and claims he didn’t receive it—you can go into the electronic file and retrieve it.” In addition, the DDO can print from any applica-tion, such as Microsoft Word or email. “Once you see how easy it is to use and how convenient it is to have, you will get hooked,” says Letty. “Our office would not be able to function without it. I just think it is one of the greatest inventions!”

Computerized SystemsToday’s technology allows us to monitor and analyze all aspects of work flow. Studying these statistics and following rigid protocols can ultimately lead to more freedom in our work day. Some examples:

1. Use a scheduling system that takes full ad-vantage of Doctor Time Scheduling. The sys-tem should not confine a practice to an aver-age day; there is no such thing as an “average day” in orthodontics. It needs to account for all of the orthodontist’s time without schedul-ing him/her every minute of the day. It needs to be flexible in the time allowed for each pa-tient (even for the same procedure).

2. Keep track of various types of emergency (special) appointments; especially record how many of each type occurred and why. If six emergencies occurred in one day, it would be necessary to know that four of them were loose brackets. Further, it is important to know what tooth, what bracket (metal or ceramic), what chair, what assistant etc. Only then can we attempt to correct the problem.

3. Know how long each procedure takes each staff member to perform, and create a monthly summary that rates the performance of each chairside assistant on each procedure. Only in this way can we know what procedures need to be taught more thoroughly, and to whom.

Going Green with Document Organizer

A Systems Approach to the Practice of Orthodontics

Dolphin Management’s Document Organizer has the ability to green your practice and your bank account.

by Dr. Ron Roncone

As the saying goes, old habits die hard and landfills live for-ever. While going “paperless” is a cornerstone of the white-collar green movement, it’s also a buzzword saddled with loose definitions and broad applications: The fact is, there’s more to saving a rain forest than sending an email. “I used to think we were paperless—until we started using Document Organizer,” says Dr. Russell Chang in Los Alamitos, California. Taking your practice completely paperless will save you time, space, and money. Who doesn’t want that?

The management of an orthodontic practice has changed drastically over the last 20 years. Two decades ago, it was management which drove me-chanics, while today mechanics drives management. The ability to see pa-tients less frequently, do less work at each appointment, and finish cases more quickly has given the orthodon-tist “potentially” more time off. How-ever, what is evident is that generally, orthodontists are not taking advantage of the potential available time, nor are they monitoring the many important systems that can help them evaluate time flow within their work day. What are some of these systems?

4. Use a fully computerized examination check-list which not only triggers letters to patients (in non-technical terms) and to dentists and physi-cians (in technical terms), but also automatical-ly generates a presentation to the patient and a CD copy to bring home to the parents.

5. Use a diagnostic records checklist in com-puterized form so that nothing is missed.

6. Create a computerized, individualized treat-ment plan which in check-list form indicates teeth to be banded and bonded, appliances to be fitted, wire sequencing, problem lists, and procedures to be done by other professionals before, during and after orthodontic treatment.

7. Create a post-diagnostic computerized summary letter to the responsible party/patient detailing all aspects of the clinical examination, consultation, financial responsibility, etc.

8. Use multiple treatment card templates that are truly informational. Be sure your system uses drop-down screens to maintain consistent termi-nology and avoid inaccuracies and misspellings.

9. Be able to obtain a complete summary of all necessary practice information with a simple click of the mouse: You want to know not only what happened today, MTD and YTD, but also what is going to happen in the quantifiable future. Ex-amples would be: NP Calls, NP Exams, Records, Consults and Starts. Additionally, we need to track emergencies, recalls, removals, income, produc-tion, accounts receivable and delinquencies.

10. Maintain an expanded database that in-cludes all areas of the practice you may want to follow. General areas may include several of the following: hobbies/interests, occupation/school, children/siblings not in the practice, facial type, angle classification, extraction vs. non-extraction, bonding medium, etc.

Clinical SystemsThe consistent use of clinical systems of your choice will lead to expertise and consequently bet-ter results. Some that I have found success with:

1. A self-ligation bracket system such as In-Ovation “R” and it’s ceramic counterpart In-Ovation “C.” The reduced friction early in treat-ment allow not only faster appointment times but also longer appointment intervals which reduces the number of days worked. Sental-

loy® and Resolve® titanium wires as well as the Roncone prescription are integral parts of this system. It is possible to finish treatment to a high degree of excellence in just 7-8 appoint-ments.

2. An indirect bonding system. Our practice uses a system of individual JSOP JIGS which insures accuracy in placement thereby alleviating the need to re-bond brackets during treatment.

Diagnostic SystemsThe multidisciplinary use of diagnostic systems allows us to practice with more precision and confidence than ever before:

1. Cone Beam Computerized Tomography (CBCT) has raised the bar in terms of “how much” and “how clearly” we can now see di-agnostic information. Our office uses the Ilu-ma CBCT machine which is enhanced by the Dolphin 3D imaging program. You can now routinely observe TMJ’s airway, asymmetries (both lateral and frontal), impactions, sinuses, tooth placement (in or out of cortical bone), and more.

2. Routine use of splints to determine where we are starting from.

3. The use of physical therapy modalities such as ethyl chloride spray, ultrasound and elec-trogalvanic stimulation (EGS not the myomoni-tor) to treat muscles.

4. The use of articulators to measure where we start and where we finish an orthodontic case. The old saying, “It’s not how many you start, its how many you finish” applies here. We should add the word “superbly” at the end of that quote.

Enrolling SystemsThe proper intake of new patients into a prac-tice is critical, and a comprehensive approach should be taken with each patient during the very first visit:

1. The orthodontist should spend adequate time performing a thorough clinical examina-tion, explaining the problems, treatment choic-es and likely outcomes. Patient questions, concerns and feedback should be addressed personally by the orthodontist at this time.

2. The treatment coordinator/patient consul-

Dr. Ron RonconeDr. Ronald M. Roncone is a world-renown ortho-dontist and the creator/educator of the JSOP® (Just Short of Perfect) seminar series. Held at Dr. Roncone’s clinical and conference facility in Southern California, the

series focuses on several areas of prac-tice: Planning, Financials and Account-ing, Communications, Marketing, Training, Practice Efficiencies, Effective Exams and Treatment Mechanics.

Dr. Ron Roncone worked closely with the Dolphin Management development team to create the recently released Roncone Modules. Integrating seamlessly with Dol-phin Management, the Roncone Modules conform to Dr. Roncone’s unique practice management techniques, which have been proven successful in his own highly effi-cient practice near San Diego, California.

Traffic CopThe Dolphin Document Organizer helps sort patient infor-mation, sending it to its rightful corner of your database for easy retrieval. “The interface contains all the cross-referencing tools similar to Microsoft Explorer, allowing for great flexibility in organizing the DDO to the practice’s needs,” says Todd Blankenbecler, Dolphin vice president of sales. Items that can be directed through the DDO in-clude electronic correspondences such as email and any attachments, as well as hard copies of letters or images. Todd recommends NOT using Bitmap files with the Docu-ment Organizer, as they can be very large. File types he recommends include JPG, GIF and PDF. “When I am done reviewing the new patient exams, any pa-perwork, notes, financial documents or referral information are then scanned in and saved to the patient’s electronic chart,” says Heidi Spothelfer at Chang Orthodontics.

The Everything OrganizerThe staff at Chang Orthodontics sends nearly every piece of data through the Dolphin Document Organizer. Accord-ing to Rosie Montoya, scheduling coordinator, they use the DDO to file the following:• Patient/parent credit report• Statements for flex spending accounts• RX for x-rays• Financial estimates• Extraction letters• New patient letters• Referrals• Notes• X-rays sent via email• Incoming/outgoing emails regarding patients“Any document pertaining to a patient gets automatically stored away by using the DDO,” says Rosie. “We also do online verification of insurance, and use the DDO to save the document to the patient’s chart.”

Letty Alonso“Our office is very technical and the Document Organizer is a great tool to have. From my point of view, it is one of Dolphin’s best features. I feel the team is much more efficient and Dr. Chang is able to cut down on costs.”

Rosie Montoya“We no longer invest in paper charts, patient chart tabs, and the staff time to make the chart. Plus, we have reduced the usage of ink and toner for our print-ers and copy machines.”

Heidi Spothelfer“As a treatment coordinator, I really appreciate having patient information sent from their dentist or specialist, along with x-rays and reports. These items are quick and easy to locate and review with the doctor in our briefing before the new patient exams.”

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13. Always check occlusion. With the lip tractors in the patient’s mouth, ask the pa-tient to open and close several times to make certain the patient is in the proper occlusion. Sometimes it helps if you ask the patient to curl the tip of their tongue and reach to the back roof of their mouth.

14. Avoid asking the patient to “bite down.” This tends to protrude the mandible forward as if biting an apple. Instead, ask the patient to “close on their back teeth.”

15. For patients with a sliding bite or is Class III. Take two complete series of intraoral photographs to visualize both centric occlusion and centric relation. Don’t forget to take two series of corresponding extraorals to complement the intraorals, as the two occlu-sions will alter the soft tissue images.

16. Allow five to 10 seconds be-tween exposures. The flash re-quires a little time to recharge the capaci-tor. If you take the photographs in rapid succession, you will notice the subsequent images will tend to become slightly darker.

17. If you have to retake any im-ages. It is helpful to retake the entire intraoral or extraoral series instead of that one particular image. It is unlikely that you will be able to repo-sition the patient exactly as before, resulting in images that have a slightly different ‘look’ than the original series.

Last but not least...

18. Take two (or more) photographs of each view. If you have even the slight-est indication that the photograph you just took might not be ideal, just take another one right away. Don’t forget to allow five to 10 seconds between exposures. When viewing the images in Dolphin Imaging, it is easy to select another view that is better. The other reason is that it is difficult to see very much detail on the screen at the back of the camera and it is much easier and faster to just substitute another image in-stead of having to retake photographs.

December 20074 Echoes-Your Dolphin Newsletter - December - February 2008

by Eric Iwamoto

the patient’s hair back out of the face and be-hind the ears. This ensures full exposure of the soft tissue and facial contours.

5. For patients with darker com-plexions. Open up the f/stop by one posi-tion (meaning changing to a smaller number). This allows more light to reach the sensor.

6. For patients who won’t smile. When taking the initial extraoral photographs, many patients are averse to smiling and the results are less than ideal. Ask patients to raise their cheeks toward their eyes. This technique will be sure to expose the teeth you want to see, and the resultant smile is usually pretty good.

7. Remind the patient to stay in centric relation. Many patients tend to slightly separate their teeth when smiling, so it’s a good idea to remind them periodically through-out the photo shoot.

8. Moisten the patient’s lips. Ask the patient to wet his lips with his tongue before inserting the lip retractors. This allows the lips to be stretched farther to view more dentition.

1. Secure an area in the office specif-ically for dental photography. It allows a smooth and faster photographic series with more consistent results.

2. Eliminate shadows. Proper use of a light box or slave flash will eliminate distract-ing shadows around the patient’s head.

3. Use a height-adjustable chair. This allows you to raise (or lower) the patient to your eye level, preventing tilted images. Remember to aim across the occlusal plane when taking the intraoral views.

4. Secure the hair off the face. When taking extraoral views, make sure to secure

No matter how slick your digital camera, quality photos don’t take themselves.

Rechecking Technique

9. Hold the lip retractor in the re-gion of interest (ROI). It is faster and easier for you to make critical adjustments, such as stretching the cheek to see more teeth, if you are holding it instead of the patient.

10. For the buccal intraoral views. Have the patient hold the opposing lip retrac-tor (with very little tension) as close as pos-sible to the central incisor. It allows the ROI to be pulled slightly farther back.

11. Pull the lip retractor a little fur-ther. After you have focused the image and before you take the intraoral buccal view, slightly pull the lip retractor, make your expo-sure and release the tension. This allows you to retract half a tooth or more without causing additional discomfort.

12. For the frontal intraoral view. Have the patient pull the retractors out (toward you), not back. When they pull the lips back, it tends to make the lips overlap the gum and obstruct a portion of the teeth.

Taking clinical photos is a routine part of the workday, and you probably go through the motions on auto-pilot. Maybe you even cut corners occasionally for the sake of time; suddenly, you’ve fallen into bad habits that negatively affect results. Taking a moment to brush up on technique can help keep you on track and results consistent.

I asked a handful of Dolphin dental profes-sionals to help me comprise a cheat sheet for taking great photos. Here’s what we came up with:

Imag

ing

Sp

otl

ight

Eric IwamotoEric Iwamoto is the owner of Golden State Oral X-Ray in North Hollywood, California.He would like to thank the many Dolphin Imaging users who contributed to this article.

Continued from Providing Potential through Prevention (p.1)

Dr. Chris Baker wrote the CPR training manual for the Kentucky Heart Association in 1979. It has been updated and used na-tionally as the AHA manual ever since.

easily and beautifully, so that they have a greater impact on the viewer. It lets me show the possibility of helping young faces devel-op into their most beauti-ful potential, which in turn raises the bar in terms of results so that I can create my treatment plan accord-ing to that beauty. This is something I could not do as well without Dolphin.” Delegating Input and OutputDr. Baker tells us Dol-phin helps her do a lot of things she could not do before, such as balanc-ing workflow among staff members. “To say Dolphin is user-friendly is an under-statement; because it is so easy to use, it becomes

more useful,” she says. “It allows me to delegate a lot of things I would normally be hesitant to delegate, such as image capture (photography), record keeping and even patient education.”

The implications of this go beyond the software’s interface and reflect on its functions as well. “The tracing prompts in Dolphin’s Ceph Tracing module help the tracer do a better job. This is especially helpful to less experienced tracers, and it gives them more confidence in their work.”

The manipulation tools within Dolphin Imaging allow more flex-ibility when taking digital photos. “The ability to manipulate the image—tilt, orient, flip, enhance, crop—means that I don’t need as much skill on the operator end of the camera,” says Dr. Baker. “This allows me to delegate the picture taking to a wider range of staff. The fact is that not everyone is great with a camera, but with Dolphin we can make photos better!” Education and PresentationDr. Baker’s staff uses Dolphin to find records, and print out pa-tient images to take home. “Some people are very kinesthetic, and so they appreciate having the prints,” she says, explaining that patients and parents really enjoy collecting the photos and seeing their progress. In addition, presenting images on the com-

puter screen during an office visit makes a huge impact on patient comprehension. “It really helps patients understand, and you can see it click in their faces when they see their images,” she says. “The visual capability of the Dolphin Imaging program makes it a tremendous educational tool. When parents are able to truly com-prehend their child’s conditions and diagnosis, they are far more likely to commit to ortho treatment, and do so at an earlier age when preventive treatment can be so much more powerful.”

Taking the concept one step further, Dolphin’s new Aquarium of-fers an entirely new dimension to patient education. “Aquarium is a fabulous product for patient education,” says Dr. Baker. “There is no other product like it. Previously, the only way to educate patients on many of these topics was to have models of appliances on hand to demonstrate physically. This is not only costly, the appliances can run hundreds of dollars, but they also take up a lot of space.”

Dolphin also comes in handy in Dr. Baker’s position of Assistant Clinical Professor at the Pediatric Dentistry Program at nearby University of Louisville. “I do a lot of teaching and lecturing, and Dolphin is integral in this,” she tells us. “The ability to show images up close, on big screens in front of a group of people has a huge impact in my teaching. Also, being able to display before-and-after images simultaneously on separate monitors, is just so valuable.”

Special CareDr. Baker’s academic background includes training dental stu-

dents and residents in the treatment of patients with special management needs. Her own patient base includes children of all ages with physical, mental and emotional needs. “We focus on children’s smiles and how beautiful they look, and we try to get those smiles at early ages to really change their self-view.

People and society are more likely to treat them kind-ly if they look pretty. Studies have proven that.” Some of Dr. Baker’s patients have autism, which cre-ates difficulty in communication and makes social situations challenging. “I use my Dolphin software to make ‘social story books’ for these patients. These are short, simple depictions of what they will experi-ence during orthodontic treatment.” Dolphin helped immensely when treating a patient with craniodiaphyseal dysplasia. Also known as “lionitis,” the condition causes calcium to build up in the skull, creating facial deformity. “We found it difficult to trace her because her facial bones are deformed. Dolphin really helped us in that situation,” says Dr. Baker.

Instant AccessThe ability to instantly access records and move be-tween programs makes Dolphin indispensible in Dr. Baker’s daily practice. “Being able to immediately re-trieve records means I no longer have to wait for a lab to deliver images,” says Dr. Baker. “This immediacy is

amazing in regard to reviewing progress. You get an opportunity to improve the direction you are taking, and adjust your treat-ment plan accordingly.” Clicking from a Ricketts analysis to a Steiner analysis in a mere second; searching for a patient by any demographic variable; easily incorporating patient photos into the letter system; and creating quick PowerPoint presentations are just a few of the functions Dr. Baker enjoys about her Dol-phin software. “Again, the immediacy of it and the friendliness of the interface are what make it so great and useful. I would not want to practice without Dolphin.”

Dr. Baker has authored a reference book for parents called Face the Facts: Your Child’s Smile, explaining pediatric dental and orthodontic care.

“To say Dolphin is user-friendly is an understatement.”

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v

2. Establishing your data. Clicking on the Digitize/Measure icon will open up the Digitize/Measurement window. Here you have the ability to place up to 50 Landmarks on the vol-ume, Measure up to 25 2-point distance measurements, and up to 25 3-point angle measurements on the volume. In addition, you can do this from your choice of view and analysis.

3. Saving the data. Clicking on the blue disk icon in the lower left corner of the screen will save the measurements and land-marks into the standard patient file in the Dolphin database.

4. Make it available. You can also select to copy your newly established measurements and landmarks onto the Windows Clipboard. This makes it available for easy in-sertion in programs such as Excel or Word, which comes in handy when creating case presentations.

5. Export the data. Clicking on the green file icon with the arrow will export the data to an external file.

a. Nifty note! There is a setting located in the Options tab (on the top tool bar), under General Op-tions that allows you to “show a ruler with tick marks in the vol-ume window.”

This is a great tool for use of images outside of Dolphin 3D. With the use of the ruler option, the user can print pic-tures out and measure on them 1:1 just as in the software.

the Dots-Per-Inch (DPI) at which the image was scanned into the software. The DPI is determined when the image is initially scanned. Please refer to you scanner documentation for de-tails. Note: The DPI calibration option will only be helpful for radiographs and NOT photographs.

3. Saving it. Once you have entered the numbers into the Distance or Dots-Per-Inch input box, click on the green check mark: This will save the information into the patient’s file.

4. Making measurements. Now that the image has been calibrated, right click on the image and select Image Measurements. This will move the image into the Image Mea-surements window where you have the ability to measure any set Distance, 3-Point Angle, or 4-Point Angle on the image. This is done by choosing a radio button, then right-clicking on the image to establish points and distances.

5. Saving measurements. When the desired measure-ments are made, you can select to export the Image with Mea-surements onto the Windows Clipboard.

Clicking on this icon allows you to use the data in another program such as Power Point or Word. Clicking on the green check saves the Measurements into the patient’s file for later reference.

Dolphin 3D:All DICOM volume is a 1:1 scan, elimi-nating the need for calibration. What’s more, the measuring tools within Dol-phin 3D allow you to establish land-marks and generate measurements based on a point of placement on the DICOM data set, which is specified by you. Since the DICOM volume is a 1:1 scan, all corresponding measurements are 1:1 as well.

1. Getting there. Once you are in the 3D environment, you can access the measuring features by selecting the Digitize/Measure icon in the lower left area of the 3D screen.

Tips & Tricks: Management

4. Finish the install.After the download is complete and your office is ready to install these updates on all your workstations, you can turn updates back on. Do this by going back into Tools on the top tool bar, then Run a script, and type updateson. [fig 4] After that, opening Dolphin Management on any machine will prompt for the update.

Dolphin technical support recommends that you perform this process on a monthly basis, preferably on a slow patient day or no-patient day.

by Jon Eifer

Tips & Tricks: Imaging5December 2007

Digitally managing patient records has endless benefits, many of which are derived from the sheer accuracy of the data format. Dolphin has many tools that take advantage of this, including the ability to calibrate and generate precise measurements on all patient image files.

Dolphin ImagingPlus:Calibrating and Measuring any image in Dolphin Imaging Plus is a snap. Actually it’s a click—a right-click to be exact. The Image Calibration feature allows you to establish a set dis-tance from which all future measurements will be based. The accuracy of this calibration directly affects the accuracy of all corresponding measurements on the image. Also, all images must be calibrated individually to maintain the accuracy of the measurements.

1. Getting started. Simply choose any image and right-click on it. A drop-down menu will appear with a list of options. About ¾ of the way down the list you will find both Image Cali-bration and Image Measurements.

2. First you must Calibrate. Once you click on Im-age Calibration, the image is moved into the Image Calibra-tion window. Here you have the ability to calibrate the image in either: a previously established Distance in millimeters or

Did you know that your Dolphin Management program is con-stantly evolving behind the scenes, silently becoming more slick and savvy as you merrily go about your day? Dolphin developers work around the clock writing software updates designed to keep your office on the cutting edge, asking very little effort on your part aside from that you set your system appropriately to be able to accept these updates. Some of the items contained in these updates are:• Software enhancements • Software patches• New features

The best part about these virtually automatic updates is that they are easy to install. We put together a few steps to help walk you through the process:

1. Pick a computer. Designate one computer in your office as the “updating com-puter.” This computer should be a workstation that runs Dolphin Management every day—we recommend one of your front desk computers. Once you choose the updating computer, place a phone call to Dolphin technical support, and ask to have this option turned on.

2. Take control. Once your update option has been initiated by Dolphin tech staff, you will want to control the loading of the updates to accom-modate your schedule and workflow. To accomplish this, you will need to run the updatesoff script. This will stop the update from loading when you launch Dolphin Management every morning, giving you full control of the updating process. To turn updates off you will need to be logged in as “admin.” Click on Tools on the top menu bar, and choose Run A Script from the drop-down menu. [fig 1] A dialog box will appear, with a field prompting you to populate. Type in updatesoff and click ok. [fig 2]

by Neal Rees

Relevant to version 10.1 or greater

Relevant to version 3.1 or greater

Echoes-Your Dolphin Newsletter - December - February 2008

3. Install your updates. Next click on Help on the top tool bar and select check for updates from the drop down menu. [fig 3] This will automatically download any updates that are available. If an update is avail-able, you will see “downloading updates” in the lower left hand corner of the window. If there are no updates available, you will see a message that states: “there are no new Dolphin software updates available at this time.”

Neal ReesNeal is a Level 1 member of the Dolphin technical support team. He has worked with and studied in the computer field since the early 1980’s and in technical support since the mid 1990s. He is cur-rently a Microsoft Certified Professional and studying toward an MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) certification.

Jon EiferJon is a Level I member of the Dolphin technical support team. He has been working professionally with computers for 10 years, and is currently pursuing his AA in computer applications and networking.

There’s no need to interrupt your workflow in the name of downloading software updates. These simple few steps will keep you up-to-date and running smoothly.

Calibrating and measuring images can be done accurately and easily in both ImagingPlus™ and Dolphin 3D.

fig 2

fig 3

fig 4

fig 1

Updates Made Easy

Calibrating and Measuring Distances on Images

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Action OverseasBased in Verona, Italy, Infolab is the official Dolphin distribu-tor in Italy. From left: Orlando Sartori, Davide Conti, Maurizio Piras, and Francesco Zemella. To view a full list of our world-wide distributors and their contact information, visit www.dolphinimaging.com and click on “Contact.”

Braz

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Come join Dolphin at the following Industry Events:

December 6-8 SAO 2007 Buenos Aires, Argentina

6-9 Next Steps Dallas, Texas, United States

7-9 3rd International Vienna Orthodontic Vienna, Austria

January 10-13 SSPD Atlanta, Georgia, United States

11-14 MBT/3M Seminar San Diego, California, United States

14-18 UCSF 15th Int’l Symposium in OMS Big Island, Hawaii, United States

17-19 3M Course Milan, Italy

January18-22 MBT Philosophy (Program 3, Course 6) San Diego, California, United States

23-27 Damon Forum Phoenix, Arizona, United States

24-26 Arnett Foundation Meeting Santa Barbara, California, United States

26-29 MBT Philosophy (Program 3, Course 1) San Diego, California, United States

27-2 Iowa Winter Orthodontics 29th Annual Vail, Colorado, United States

February 1-3 North Carolina State Orthodontic Raleigh, North Carolina, United States

6-9 2008 Scientific Congress & Dental San Juan, Puerto Rico

Visit www.dolphinimaging.com for more eventsCalendar

December 20076 Echoes-Your Dolphin Newsletter - December - February 2008

We welcome your comments and suggestions! Please e-mail your thoughts and insights to [email protected].

Send us your Wish List! What topics would you like to see covered in our Tips & Tricks column? Email your ideas to [email protected].

February 8-10 AAO Technology Conference Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

12-15 XVI FOACAPOS Congres Panama City, Republic of Panama

20-24 3M Course Milan, Italy

21-23 SureSmile User Meeting Orlando, Florida, United States

24-26 MBT Philosophy (Program 2, Course 6) San Diego, California, United States

28-3 EODO Annual Conference Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

March 1-6 21st Australian Orthodontic Congress Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

For technical support call 800.548.7241 (USA & Canada) or 818.435-1368. Remember, our hours are 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time. For after-hour, emergency phone calls (in North America) dial call 800.548.7241. You may also e-mail [email protected].

March 3-6 AEEDC Dubai 2008 Dubai, United Arab Emirates

5-8 AMO 2008 Tijuana, Mexico

6-8 2008 Dolphin Meeting San Diego, California, United States

8-15 FACES 2008 Snowbird, Utah, United States

13-15 Dental Forum Paris, France

27-31 6th Asian Pacific Orthodontic Bangkok, Thailand

Italy

Dr. J.C. Kim of Seoul, Ko-rea, spent an entire week at Chatsworth headquarters back in October. Eager for some advanced training on the Ceph Tracing and 3D modules, he worked closely with Sean Liao, imaging software developer, and Robert Holsinger, software quality assurance engineer.

In November, Dr. Joe Gibson from Morristown, Tennessee, stopped by Chatsworth to collaborate on Aquarium with Dol-phin developers David Cortes-Provencio and Ken Gladstone.

Dr. J.C. Kim, of Seoul, Korea, with Dol-phin’s Sean Liao and Robert Holsinger at Chatsworth headquarters.

From left: Dr. Joe Gibson, Ken Gladstone, David Cortes-Provencio, and Chester Wang brainstorm on nifty new features for Aquarium.

Next Issue

Coming Next Issue!March 2008, Volume 21/Issue 1

• KASE Orthodontics in Kingston, Jamaica

• Meet the Dolphin Management Implementation Team

• Learn how to do a growth forecast!

• Finally—Scheduling without conflict!

• Would YOU like to contribute to a story for Echoes? Contact us

at [email protected]. We’d love to brainstorm together!

Chatsworth Visitors Log

Dolphin Around the WorldItaly was clearly the destination spot this September as Dol-phin gathered for numerous consecutive events: Dr. Roncone celebrated his 29th birthday with Dolphin in Rapallo, Italy, while conducting the Roncone Orthodontics International 2007 Orthobarbarian Study Club Meeting in mid-September. Held at the Excelsior Palace Hotel on the Portofino Coast in northern Italy, the event drew attendees from all over the world who gathered to collaborate on the newest advances in orthodontics.

While in Italy for the ROI event, Ches-ter visited the birthplace of CBCT at the NewTom headquarters in Verona. There he met with Dr. Roberto Molteni, the company’s executive vice president of technology, who showed him around the inner sanctum and other classified corners of the historic facility.

A week after that, Dolphins from all over Europe gathered in Rome for the 2007 Dolphin Meeting, Europe. The 2-day edu-cational event included expert presenters from throughout Europe and the United States, including Dr. Julio Cifuentes (Chile); Dr. Renato Cocconi (Italy); Dr. Marzia Conti (Italy); Dr. Francesco Garino (Italy); Dr. Ron Roncone (USA); Dr. Domeni-co Scopelitti (Italy); and Dr. Paul Thomas (UK).

Attendees eagerly caught up with what’s new in Dolphin Imag-ing, 3D, and were introduced to Aquarium, which proved to be the most popular module of the meeting.

Meeting staff and presenters celebrated a successful Dol-phin Meeting, Europe, with a dinner at the Traverna Trilusa in Rome.

Brazilian distributor Renovatio hosted an Official Dolphin Launch in Sao Paulo, Brazil in September. Nearly 300 special-ists attended the event, including orthodontists, maxillo-facial surgeons, radiologists and general dentists.

Dolphin representatives gathered in Gramado, Brazil, in Oc-tober for the annual meeting of the Brazilian Orthodontic As-sociation (ABOR Congress).

Honolulu, Hawaii was the destination this October for the annual AAOMS conference. Dolphin representatives enjoyed beautiful sunsets, balmy weather, and cocktails by the beach as they sold software and made all kinds of new strategic alliances.

Chester and Dr. Molteni pose beside a CBCT prototype at QR NewTom in Verona, Italy.

From left: Ricardo Damirdjian, Rolf Faltin, Otto Colette, and Paulo Khatchadourian at the ABOR Congress.

Dolphin attendees were too busy enjoying the beautiful Hawaiian weather to take any photos inside the convention hall.

Right picture: Gary Wiseman met up with his sister Lalani Wiseman at the AAOMS meeting in Honolulu.

Dr. Ron Roncone makes a wish at his birthday celebration in Italy.

Clockwise from left: - Patti Gladstone checks her voicemail outside the Coliseum in Rome.- Dolphin Meeting attendees Dr. Peter Van Spronsen from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and Dr. Silvia Allegrini from Pisa, Italy. - Dolphin customer Eloisa Garcia, from Chicago, United States, with Miquel Mayol (standing) and Ken Gladstone.

Weathering DeanWhen Hurricane Dean plowed its way through the Caribbean in Au-gust, he barely spared the offices of Dolphin customer Kase Interna-tional. The Drs. Beck and Knight held their ground as Dean tore off the roof to the main office at their practice in Kingston, Jamaica. “Luckily, the room where the com-puters are kept remained intact,” Dr. Beck tells us. “We lost elec-tricity for a few days, and patients had trouble getting to and from the office because transportation was affected. Overall, we have experi-enced worse in the past.”

You can save time, money and aggravation with Dolphin Manage-ment’s feature, which interfaces with Emdeon Claims Management.

More than 100 Dolphin Management customers use the program’s Electronic Insurance Claims feature, which interfaces with Emdeon Claims Management. Emdeon can process claims electronically or, if necessary, print and mail an insurance claims to certain insurance companies as needed.

There is no fee to enable the Electronics Insurance Claims feature of your Dolphin program; there is, however, a fee billed by Emdeon for each claim filed. For information, visit http://www.emdeon.com.

You may not know...

Digiknow?

Top: Hurricane Dean uprooted trees in front of Kase International.Bottom: Dean took the roof at Kase, but spared the computers.

2007 Dolphin Team SummitDolphins from all over the world convened at Calamigos Ranch in Malibu, California, in November for the 1st Annual Dolphin Team Summit. The two-day event featured goal-setting work-shops, product demonstrations, and plenty of fun activities. Joining the Dolphin gang were representatives from MME Consulting and Dr. Russell Chang, who gave a lively and infor-mative presentation on how Dolphin software fits into his own team in Los Alamitos, California.

Clockwise from left:- Group photo.- Dr. Russell Chang (right) looks on as Chester demonstrates his most recent gadget acquisition.

MME Consulting joined in the fun at the Dolphin Summit. From left: Bryan Ly, Ray Mah and Garrett Sharer at the Dolphin Dinner Party in Malibu.