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Medical Forum / General / Dentistry / December 2005Dental Software and Hardware under Linux
There are several interesting programs for dentists under Windows. They can easily connect to digital x-ray devices and integrate the x-rays taken into the files. The only word that bothers me is "Windows". I've seen them all (OK, almost all): 3.11, 95, 98, 2000, XP. I've NEVER had a complete reliable system. So a few years ago, I changed to Linux. This was a great relief: finally I had a reliable OS. I am a dentist. I help people with tooth ache with a smile. I like my job. What I do not like is writing on paper files, developping x-rays and archive them in paper enveloppes and spend a lot of time on finding everything back. I also hate blue screens, reinstalling an OS and getting rid of virusses, spyware,... I want to invest in good material. I don't want to go back to Windows crap. But this is almost impossible, since the companies only invest in Windows technology. I want to buy a panographic device (for making an OPG: http://www.e-radiography.net/ibase5/Faciomax/slides/Faciomax_ameloblastic_fibros arcoma_opg.jpg), a direct or indirect capture device for regular X-rays (http://www.dentistry.nus.edu.sg/public/dental/endo3.jpg) and software to organise the pictures and file the patients. Buy, not get it free. Although that would be very nice, but I want to pay for quality. This is a sad story. There is no complete solution. There's some good news for the software, since Open Dental (http://www.open-dent.com/manual/clinuxmac.html) is planning to be available under Linux in February 2006. This is good news for the American dentists, but will this program be adapted for other countries like Belgium? But all x-ray devices I've been given a closer look, are only available under Windows. Is there anyone who can help me and perhaps many other dentists out? TIA PS: Sorry for the crossposting > There are several interesting programs for dentists under Windows. They > can easily connect to digital x-ray devices and integrate the x-rays [quoted text clipped - 37 lines] > > PS: Sorry for the crossposting There are already users of Open Dental in Belgium. There are dentists working on regional translations to make it as useful as possible. Check with Dr. Jordan Sparks (e-mail address is on the Open Dental website) on how things are going with Linux. I understand that a few people are working on that too, and Dr Sparks is very interested in having Open Dental work in Linux as soon as possible. Jorge Bonilla, DMD > There are already users of Open Dental in Belgium. There are dentists > working on regional translations to make it as useful as possible. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > having Open Dental work in Linux as soon as possible. > Jorge Bonilla, DMD Yeah! This is how open source works, people want something and someone gives a draft of it, then others join in to make it better. The driving force is that it will help me, with the help of others we can have something which works for all of us. I do everything Digitally in the office. What country are you in ? I would be happy to discuss where things are today  Signature/ Amatus / > There are several interesting programs for dentists under Windows. They > can easily connect to digital x-ray devices and integrate the x-rays taken [quoted text clipped - 37 lines] > > PS: Sorry for the crossposting > I do everything Digitally in the office. > > What country are you in ? Hint: read the Op posting ;-) For it gives a very good clue. Still points for asking. No smiley. For it is a global world. > I would be happy to discuss where things are today That is what ng are for. I missed the line about Belgium, thanks. I don't know about specific European products. I can say that in the USA, Linux is no longer supported by the major software companies. Windows XP is the route you would have to take in the USA to do what the OP asks. I have found Windows XP to be bullet-proof with it never locking up or causing any problems of any sort. It is not like 95 or 98. I have one machine running 2000 which will occasionally require a re-boot due to memory allocation problems after extensive flat bed scanning. Signature/ Amatus / > >> I do everything Digitally in the office. [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > That is what ng are for. > There are several interesting programs for dentists under Windows. They > can easily connect to digital x-ray devices and integrate the x-rays [quoted text clipped - 37 lines] > > PS: Sorry for the crossposting By saying the xray devices are 'only available for windows' do you mean that some part of the controller for the xray machine is in the Windows software, or is the software just a viewer for the incoming picture file? Would be interesting to know what form these pictures/communications are in, it could be as simple as being treated as a scanner or camera device. With the scan initiated from the software. I used to do medical designs many years ago (so long ago in fact I went to Florence's leaving do), and one thing often insisted on from the contractees was simple communications so that they had more options for connecting other devices. So for example you could have a device that reads a patient's bar code off their records, then outputs the name and national insurance number in a simple text string, then the contractee could add a very over priced bulk standard off the shelf PC between this output and the printer, insisting to the customer that all the power of this specially made PC is needed to decrypt the customer information. oops, I'd best not tell you who I worked for at the time because they might still be in business, but if you want to chat to the boss you might catch him in one of his mediteranean Villas. Each device will have a digital or analog output which can be stored and utilized on whatever software platform you choose to have software written for. However, If you want to centralize your data into one data-base, use one software package to access your data and images, then you will end up with a Windows XP product. Medicine may still be utilizing some Linux programs, but Dentistry no longer has any vendors writing new software in anything by Windows XP. We have one (minor) vendor writing for Macintosh, but I would not suggest going that route. Not due to the operating system, but due to the lack of good software written for it. Signature/ Amatus / > >> There are several interesting programs for dentists under Windows. They [quoted text clipped - 62 lines] > might still be in business, but if you want to chat to the boss you might > catch him in one of his mediteranean Villas. > Each device will have a digital or analog output which can be stored and > utilized on whatever software platform you choose to have software written [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > but I would not suggest going that route. Not due to the operating system, > but due to the lack of good software written for it. Just out of curiousity - I used to work with MRI equipment, and the big push was converting everything to the DICOM standard. Do dentists use DICOM? There is a push to get all the imaging manufacturers to work with DICOM. We are not there yet. The vast majority of dental offices have no idea what format their images are in and how the software accesses, opens, manipulates, edits, or stores the data. They only care that it is easy to access the data and quick. In the case of fire, tornado, theft, hurricane, etc. they suddenly check to see if their back-up system has been working. Trying to convince dental offices that their computer system requires an annual prophy is very tough. I have a technician come in every year to physically open every PC, blow out the dust, remove cards and replace them while checking connections, Update all drivers, verify operating system updates, Verify anti-viral software and updates are being managed by the server properly, clean up un-used files, defrag the hard drives, check network functionality, test router, verify back-ups are valid, etc. A savvy dentist could do all this himself, but it is more efficient to pay the technician unless the dentist greatly enjoys this kind of stuff. I periodically spot check all this stuff throughout the year, but seldom choose to take the time to do the full thing all at once. Most of the offices I have done digital consultation for would have no idea how to do any of this. Signature/ Amatus / >> Each device will have a digital or analog output which can be stored and >> utilized on whatever software platform you choose to have software [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > Do dentists use DICOM? |
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