... at the Dentist!
Those of you who follow my Twitter will know I've been going to the dentist a lot recently as I've got a few old/badly done fillings that need to be replaced. 2 done, one to go!
I'm not sure whether I've struck lucky with my dentist, but the technology is amazing compared to where I used to go overseas...
The X-Ray machine takes digital x-rays... at my last dentist he would have them developed and you had to go back a week later for the results. This one has them on his screen in a matter of seconds!
He's got a little camera thing on a wand that he uses to take photos inside your mouth which then come up on a flat screen above the chair. I remember it was a great innovation when the old dentist installed a mirror above his chair so you could see what he was doing!
He also has headphones that you can listen to music on if you want to... I don't as I find it too distracting - I prefer to lie there and zone out.
Anyway, the most impressive bit of kit was demonstrated this morning. I needed quite a large filling unfortunately that needed a porcelain filling rather than an ordinary one. He wheeled out a little CAD/CAM computer thing and put a sensor in my mouth briefly. It scanned the tooth and showed a 3D model on the computer screen then used to work out the shape required, sent it to another machine that milled a ceramic block into the right shape. Amazing... only 2 years ago apparently they would have had to take a mould and send it away to the lab to be made. Now it's all done in the surgery in front of the patient in about 15 minutes!
Despite the numb face and the lighter wallet I was still impressed with the technology, so thought I'd do a post here. What's the best technological innovation you've seen recently?
Flash stuff, to polish it off... they could ask you for your twitter username and display your twitter feed so you can see what we are all up to while you're in the pain seat!
Don't know about technical innovation but I know I paid £31 (64 Australian dollars apparently) for a 10 minute checkup and polish at the dentist 2 days ago. No music, none of your technical gadgetry. I wouldn't mind so much if they were having to fund equipment like you describe but they're not. Time to find a new hi-tech dentist I think.
I've not seen anything that nice. One of the county hospitals [ where people go to wait 12 hours ] had "free wifi" a couple years ago but it was broken. heh.
I like the way Doctors have computers hanging on adjustable arms now and they log all their notes as you're sitting there.
That's probably not new but I did not visit the doctor much from the mid 1995 to 2005.
They also write things down now so you can take it home and "google it"
The most fascinating post about dentistry I've ever read (haven't read many, obviously!) The descrirption of the machine that modeled your ceramic tooth reminded me of a doco about second life, where people use machines to turn real life objects into Second Life objects.
Doctors here always amuse me in a crude way. They pull up your file. Fill in stuff. Examine you. Fill in their diagnosis. Electronically transfer you prescription to the pharmacy who's computer keep track of any combinations and allergies.
But the only thing they ever prescribe is aspirines, regardless of what you have. They're not allowed to prescribe anything that actually does anything.
So far I've gotten aspirines for an inner ear infection, a torn tendon, a chronic throat infection and a nasty rash. There's nothing the stuff won't cure, I swear.
@woolly
private hospital or public?
just wondering.
The last time I went to the "throat fast track" in Palo Alto they told me to gargle salt water and go home. hahah.
@vanter I'm sure he would! They also have the option of YouTube clips on the screen instead of music if you prefer!
@techandlife Yup, it pays to shop around. I did try someone else first and didn't like his approach so didn't go back. Also you need someone young enough not to retire on you and old enough to have experience!
@Eric Free WiFi at a hospital? You can't use your mobile phone for fear of setting off a geriatric pacemaker but they have free WiFi? LOL.
@James Yup, best (and only) post on dentistry I've ever written too! :P Do they have dentists in Second Life? I wonder if they have second life versions of the tooth making machine...
@WoollyMittens Well be thankful you don't live in France. The answer to every medical ailment lies in suppositories there. :)
@erice51
Did the gargling work? Also, did it make you feel like beer and pretzels? 
The Netherlands really doesn't have much in the way of private clinics.
@tom
I was a little surprised myself... Not surprised it was busted though. hahah. County Hospitals in "The States" can be a real nightmare.
@woollymittens
hah!
I think salt helps but with at least one specific bug it'll get worse. Or at least that's what a superstitions nutball told me. Maybe Dave can clarify. Mr I-set-me-own-damn-broken-bones must see all sorta strange things. My uncle explicitly told me to never try to bang a vacuum cleaner. He's seen some messed up people in the ER. Go figure.
I would guess it's always better to get a swab before you do anything.
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