Case study
The oral health care practice where you are employed is considering purchasing a digital radiography system. Using the Internet, search for companies that manufacture and sell dental digital imaging products. From your research, choose two companies and compare their two products. Prepare an analysis to help your practice decide what digital radiography system will be the best choice. Contact the company for literature or additional information as needed to answer the following questions about each of the products
a. What are the names of the companies that manufacture the products you chose to compare?
b. What are the names of the digital radiography systems they manufacture/sell?
c. Do these digital systems have special computer requirements, or can they be used with the computer currently in use at your practice?
d. What type of sensor does each offer? How are they alike? How are they different?
e. What size sensors are available?
f. Are special sensor holding devices required for positioning the sensor intraorally? Where can these be purchased?
g. What are the infection control guidelines for the sensor? Does the company make custom-sized plastic barriers that fit the sensor?
h. Does software come with the purchase of the digital radiography system? What features are included that will allow the operator to enhance the image for interpretation?
i. Are the companies adhering to DICOM standards?
j. Does the company offer training for your oral health care team to learn to operate the system? Is there training in digital radiographic interpretation? Is there a fee for service and/or maintenance to the system after purchase?
k. Does the company offer articles or reviews of their products by outside agencies that support their marketing claims?
l. Based on what you learned in this chapter, prepare a list of advantages and limitations of each of these products.
m. Based on your research, which product would you recommend your practice purchase, and why?