OrthoBanc Integrates With topsXtreme Practice Management
According to OrthoBanc and topsXtreme, recurring payment processing is now a single-click away for practices and patients. Prior to the integration, practices would use their topsXtreme and OrthoBanc systems individually to process payments from patients.
“Integration with topsXtreme, one of several management-system integrations to be released this year, is the completion of a long-term goal for OrthoBanc” says Bill Holt, president of OrthoBanc. “Positioning our services within the management system provides an even greater level of accuracy, security, and time-savings for orthodontic practices.”
The new integration allows orthodontic practices to establish OrthoBanc accounts, receive automatic payments, and record these transactions in their practice-management system without staff intervention. OrthoBanc’s services also allow practices to establish automatic check or credit card payment plans on the spot within their management system. Additionally, the transaction information is updated each month within the practice’s ledgers in topsXtreme, giving topsXtreme users up-to-date information without the burden of lengthy data entry.
“topsXtreme is all about saving time and money and creating freedom for our clients,” says Mark Sanchez, DDS, president of tops/Cogent Design Inc. “This integration gives our practices another way to service patients and manage their own operations efficiently.”
Masel Celebrates 100 Years of Service
Year 2006 marks the 100th anniversary of Masel. In 1906, Isaac Masel set out to serve the dental community as a dental lab and supply company.
“One hundred years in business is a rare achievement, and for all of us at Masel, it gives us immense pride to have reached our centennial,” says Ron Baron, general manager at Masel. “We are honored to be the current caretakers of Isaac Masel’s legacy and all of us at Team Masel deeply thank all of our customers around the world.”
In celebration of its anniversary, Masel is giving away 400 cases of the Bravo Xcel Roth Brackets in patient-pack, single-prescription cases. Each quarter during 2006, a winner will be chosen by a random drawing from all customers who spent $1,000 during the previous 3 months. Each winner will receive 100 cases.
For more information, contact Masel at (800) 423-8227 or email them at [email protected].
Planmeca Goes to College
Planmeca Oy, the parent company of the Finnish Planmeca Group, manufacturer of a full line of dental equipment, has signed an equipment delivery agreement with the University of Maryland. Under the agreement, which is worth an estimated $10 million, Planmeca will supply the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery (BCDS) with 324 dental units, including integrated software and digital-imaging equip-ment for educational and clinical use. In addition, Planmeca’s Canadian subsidiary, Triangle Furniture Systems Inc, will supply the university with all the operatory dental cabinets.
“Our software and the digital platform of the dental units enable remote monitoring and management of the units,” says Tuomas Lokki, vice president of marketing and sales at Planmeca. “Moreover, this integrated system provides a means for modern, fact-based interactive tutoring and a centralized advisory system, which is beneficial and cost-efficient in large clinics.”
According to BCDS Dean Christian Stohler, DDS, this generation of students expects education that is integrated into technology.
“They want to have fun at the workplace and at studies, and they are looking for an opportunity to learn at their own pace,” Stohler says. “This is possible in the IT-friendly environment. Our students deserve the best-possible hardware and software, as well as a learning environment where information is available on demand.”
Study Suggests Alternative to Flossing
A clinical study from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Neb, has found that the Waterpik® Dental Water Jet from Waterpik Technologies, Fort Collins, Colo, can be an effective alternative to flossing.
The 28-day clinical trial, conducted in 2005, included 105 subjects who were randomly assigned to one of three groups: group 1, who brushed and flossed manually; group 2, who brushed manually and used the Water Jet; and group 3, who used a sonic toothbrush and the Water Jet. The subjects were asked to brush for a timed 2 minutes, twice per day. In the evening, the subject used either a Water Jet or dental floss. Subjects were told to refrain from using oral hygiene aids. Data was collected at baseline, at 14 days, and at 28 days.
The results demonstrated that, by day 28, manual toothbrushing in addition to the Water Jet was more than 93% more effective at reducing bleeding on the facial surfaces and 50% better at reducing gingivitis than brushing and flossing on the facial and lingual surfaces.
