ROCHESTER, N.Y.-- Aspen Dental Management, Inc., and PracticeWorks Systems, LLC, a subsidiary of Eastman Kodak Company, have signed an agreement for all new Aspen dental practices across the Northeastern and Midwestern United States--30 in total--to integrate Kodak digital radiography (DR) solutions.
Under terms of the agreement, Aspen Dental will equip each location with KODAK RVG 5000 Digital Radiography Systems and KODAK 8000 Digital Panoramic Systems by mid-year 2007. Seven installations are already in place. The companies will also collaborate on education programs for Aspen staff and patients.
"We are pleased that our affiliated dentists are offering patients the latest advances in dental imaging technology to help achieve their goal of continuously improving the level of care provided to their patients" said Robert Fontana, President and CEO, Aspen Dental Management, the largest privately held dental practice management group in the Northeast. "Aspen patients will benefit significantly from this new technology from Kodak."
Trial Program Confirms Aspen's Choice
Aspen Dental tested the Kodak DR solutions in 2005 at some of its locations. "We looked at all aspects, including the positive effects that digital imaging had on patient care," Fontana noted. "Our affiliated dental practitioners overwhelmingly embraced the Kodak solution." The benefits of digital radiography to patients and dental practitioners include the following:
* Digital radiology makes it possible to use reduced levels of radiation compared to traditional film X-rays, providing a safer treatment environment for patient and practitioner alike.
* Digital images are displayed virtually instantly on a computer screen next to the patient, allowing dentists to more easily describe treatment options and increasing overall treatment acceptance levels.
* Digital images can be enlarged and enhanced electronically, providing better visibility of details, for a higher level of confidence when diagnosing anomalies.
* Processing chemistry is not required for digital imaging, resulting in a cleaner and more pleasant office environment for patients and staff.
Digital Radiography System Details
The RVG 5000 System features high resolution for intraoral images, enabling dentists to make even the most complex diagnoses quickly and accurately.
With high-speed USB 2.0 technology, the system acquires and displays images in seconds, minimizing the time dentists and patients must wait for results. Additionally, the RVG 5000 System is easy to use and easy to integrate with existing practice management software.
With the KODAK 8000 Digital Panoramic System, dental practitioners can capture clear, optimally exposed full panoramic images in seconds. This capability supports fast and accurate diagnoses, streamlining practice workflows, and improving communication with patients and colleagues.
"After an exhaustive search we selected Kodak's RVG 5000 digital x-ray system because it met all of our criteria. The system is a superior, highly reliable product from an industry leader. It's a system that's easy to use and easy for our staff to learn, which is an important consideration for us," said Mike Putman, Director of Information Systems, Aspen Dental Management, Inc.
"Our affiliated dentists, staff and patients have been extremely pleased with the benefits this technology provides, and the support from Kodak has been outstanding, particularly in service and training."
Training Is Key
Along with their new Kodak systems, Aspen Dental received a new instructional video. This video is one component of a complete interactive web training package offered by Kodak. The positioning video enables Aspen providers to gain valuable experience prior to in-office training and ensures a quick and easy transition to digital radiography.
"The new digital training options helped the offices tremendously in their initial training and the positioning video is an excellent refresher tool," Putman said. "The training program is put together in an easy to understand fashion and the tool has been a significant help prior to training. Our clinicians and professional staff have found the training to be excellent."
Another large-scale deployment of Kodak digital solutions
"This agreement with Aspen Dental verifies that our digital radiography solutions provide the best option for dental practitioners as they plan their move from traditional film-based imaging to digital imaging technologies," said Richard Hirschland, Worldwide General Manager of Kodak's dental system group.
"Aspen Dental is committed to providing the highest levels of care to their patients, and we are extremely pleased that Aspen has chosen Kodak's dental systems group to assist them in their digital evolution," Hirschland noted.
