User-friendly Digital Photography Dental Kit from Kodak By: Thomas Giacobbi, DDS, FAGD

For many years, the name Kodak has been synonymous with photo paper, film and cameras. Ones and zeros now rule our digital world, and Kodak has done its best to keep up with the new technology. Introducing the Kodak DX4900 Dental Digital Camera Kit. This kit is designed to make dental photography easy and the 4.1 megapixel camera can capture your vacation as well. If you want to take photos of orthodontic patients, shade matches, cases presentations, pathologies, preps or portraits, read this article. I would hesitate to call anything ‘idiot-proof’ when I’m holding it, so let’s just call this camera ‘major mistake proof’. Kodak was kind enough to share a demo model of the camera for the

DX4900 from Kodak, has a built in distance guide to make sure images are properly framed

purpose of completing this review. When the camera arrived, I opened the box, briefly reviewed the handy digital photography guide (an eight-page laminated notebook that contains all the instructions needed to operate the camera), and started taking pictures! If you’ve never had the opportunity to use a digital camera before, the instant results will have you saying “cool” in no time.

There are three simple physical alterations to this camera that allow it to be classified as a dental digital camera. The first is a black plastic stick called the distance guide. This simple device has icons that will remind you of the settings for two types of dental photos: 1) full mouth/full arch (2:1) and 2) close-up (1:1). The distance guide is clipped to the camera and provides a consistent camera to subject distance for the previously mentioned situations. This is critical for photos taken at multiple appointments. The second piece of special equipment is a macro lens that can also be snapped to the front of the camera in seconds for close-up photos. Finally, the viewing screen is equipped with a grid to aid the operator with framing their subject the same way each time they take a photo. Once again, this is an important feature to achieve consistent photos at each appointment.

The above photo is a sample of my results. I have not dressed up this photos at all. I think you will find that the quality is excellent. However, the software that is provided in this kit has an excellent user-friendly interface for cropping, adjusting, labeling or deleting your photos.

Many dentists can operate a camera without incident, but the thought of using a computer can be intimidating. One of my favorite features of this system is the docking station. This small, USB device can be plugged into your computer in minutes, and once installed, it will allow you to quickly transfer images from the camera to the computer with the push of a button. The pictures are immediately uploaded to the Kodak Easy Share software included in the kit. The software is very user-friendly and can be operated by any staff member familiar with a computer mouse. The docking station is also used for recharging the batteries without removing them from the camera.

There are many dental digital camera kits on the market but you must decide how the camera will be used to make the best decision. Compared to other systems, the Kodak DX4900 has a simple user interface that can be operated by auxiliary staff with minimal training. It does not require a special flash and the price for the kit is very competitive. If you would like to start taking digital photos in your office tomorrow, call Kodak today.

For more information on the Kodak DX4900 Dental Digital Camera Kit call 1-800-933-8031 or visit Kodak on the Web at http://www.kodak.com/.

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Thomas Giacobbi, DDS, FAGD is a 1995 graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo and a 1997 graduate of the St. Claire’s Hospital 2 year GPR. He currently practices dentistry with his wife Grace, in Chandler, AZ. He is a member of the American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry and the Alpha Sigma Nu Jesuit Honor Society. He can be contacted by e-mail at: cdh-2drs@cox.net.