Q: What benefits come from accessing imaging software through Smart Image?
A: The following features make it better to access the imaging software through Smart Image (vs. using traditional one-way bridges):
- CDT code-based acquisitions increases likelihood of correct billing and reimbursement
- Thumbnails of the patients 2D, 3D, and CAD/CAM images are displayed directly in Chart and make it faster to locate needed images from one or more brands of imaging software
- Images can be automatically loaded and displayed in the imaging software by clicking on the imaging thumbnail in Chart
- Images can be displayed directly in Chart - and multiple images from multiple brands of imaging software can be compared simultaneously
- Mixing and matching images from multiple vendors in one location—the Patient Chart— can make image access, image comparison, and treatment diagnosis faster
- Allows automated updating of the Dentrix PMS modules when image acquisitions occur and which can save time and increase accuracy (for Premier partners only):
- Automated updates of Patient Continuing Care for imaging procedures
- Automated updates to Progress Notes of imaging procedures
- Automated posting to Ledger of imaging procedures
- Automated eClaims image attachments (beginning with Dentrix G7.3; requires Dentrix eClaims)
- The list of Premier partner connectors includes the following:
| Vendor |
Imaging Systems |
Availability |
| Dentsply Sirona |
- Sidexis 4
- Schick CDR
- CEREC
|
- Available Now
- Available Now
- In development (no ETA)
|
| Planmeca |
|
|
| Acteon |
|
- Available Now
- Available Now
|
| Kavo-Kerr |
|
- Available Now
- Available Now
|
| SafeCom |
|
|
| 3Shape |
- 3Shape Unite v21.4.3 or later
|
|
Q: What factors affect the speed and functionality of Smart Image?
A: Smart Image provides fast two-way communication with participating imaging software. However, the performance can be limited by capabilities of the imaging software. This includes the following factors that vary based on imaging software:
- The speed of opening the imaging software – Speed of opening the imaging software is not affected by Smart Image. However, to retrieve images from the imaging software for viewing from within the Patient Chart, some brands of imaging software require their imaging software to be running, and if it isn’t, Smart Image will launch the imaging software on demand in these cases to retrieve images/thumbnails of the existing images for the current patient selected. To the user this means that for some brand/versions of imaging software, it is best to leave the imaging software running once launched.
- The availability of the imaging software to auto-select acquisition templates – One feature of Smart Image is the ability to link new acquisitions to billing/tracking in the Dentrix PMS via CDT codes. This can automate functions related to billing, e-claims, tracking of procedures, updating re-care automatically, and progress notes. When a new acquisition is enacted by Smart Image it sends the name of the template selected in Dentrix to the imaging software. This allows the possibility for the imaging software to auto-select their matching template (i.e. Smart Image instructs the imaging software to acquire intraoral x-rays using a template named 4BW). Some imaging software can accept the template name and select their matching template/series automatically; whereas other imaging software may present their template selection screen in their software and the user selects the matching/desired template to acquire the images.
- The availability for Smart Image (Chart) to view templates/mounts that exist in the imaging software – Some brands of imaging software allow a template (mount/series) thumbnail to be selected in the Patient Chart and Smart Image can view any of the images contained in that template directly from within the Patient Chart. This is the preferred method. Other brands of imaging software return single image thumbnails to the Patient Chart instead of a template thumbnail, and still other brands return a template thumbnail to Smart Image but when clicked upon can only be loaded in the imaging software (not within the Patient Chart).
- The speed of acquiring new images – Speed of acquiring new images is not affected by Smart Image but different brands of imaging software operate faster than others when acquiring, saving, or viewing images. See related information in the comprehensive imaging software question that follow.
- The speed of Smart Image retrieving image thumbnails – Speed of displaying Smart Image thumbnails in the Patient Chart is impacted by the specific brand and version of the imaging software. Some brands of imaging software require their imaging software to be running to retrieve thumbnails whereas other imaging software do not require their imaging software to be running in order for Smart Image to display thumbnails of images that exist in that imaging software.
NOTE: The internal workflow of the specific brand of imaging software and the speed of the imaging software relative to acquiring, saving, displaying, or enhancing images are not affected by Smart Image. Smart Image allows automation of the imaging software’s functionality, as well as automation of Dentrix workflows for imaging related functions. However, Smart Image does not change what inherent functionality exists in any specific brand of imaging software. Some imaging applications have more capabilities for integration and automation and allow Smart Image to function at a higher level of features such as some of the items described above.
Smart Image does NOT change the internal workflows of any given imaging software. Users should evaluate and choose their brand of imaging software first, and then interface it to Smart Image to automate that existing imaging software functionality.
Q: How does the use of comprehensive imaging software solutions affect performance?
A: Some vendors offer comprehensive software systems designed to work with multiple 2D, 3D, or CAD/CAM image types. Because they support multiple image types, these comprehensive software solutions are typically larger and more powerful but also many times overall slower to start and respond than specialized software that is optimized for a single imaging type (e.g., a dedicated 2D imaging software versus a combination 2D/3D imaging software).
Q: How does 2D imaging software perform relative to 3D imaging software?
A: Performance will vary between software systems. However, 2D software is typically faster because it focuses on smaller images and, in many cases, has been refined and optimized for performance and speed over a longer period of time. 3D software, by contrast, will require greater processing, and more powerful PCs to operate just based on the nature of the images (volumes) captured. Because of this greater sophistication for 3D imaging, you can typically expect a 3D software to take longer to launch (initially open), complete acquisitions, display a volume, etc., versus 2D imaging software. This additional time will typically carry over in slower performance for Smart Image when interfacing to that software.
