Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 27, 1990                   TAG: 9006270218
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: E-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Cox News Service
DATELINE: WEST PALM BEACH, FLA.                                LENGTH: Medium

VIDEO HELPS GET TO THE ROOT OF TEETH PROBLEMS

Yes, now you can have a home video of your dental examination.

While it may not be the stuff of "America's Funniest Home Videos," dentists who have installed Oral Scan video imaging systems say videotaping their patients' dental procedures is a valuable tool.

Although most of his patients aren't too interested in watching the actual dental work, Dr. Richard G. Cooper said they do like to compare before-and-after views.

"It's most helpful in showing them what needs to be done," Cooper said. "It's one thing to try to describe why a filling needs to be replaced and something else to be able to show them, particularly since the images are magnified."

The video camera is about 3 inches long and 1/2-inch wide. It is housed in a stainless steel case that can be sterilized and is attached to a dental examining mirror lined up with the angle of the camera. Photos are projected on a screen drawn near the dental chair.

If the dentist finds something he wants to explain to his patient, he can freeze the frame or he can make an instant photograph from the video image.

Bill Glassgold, chief executive officer for Lester A. Dine Inc., which developed the Oral Scan system, said about 400 of the systems have been sold.

"It's a tremendous device for dentists because they are able to sell what they do," Glassgold said. "By that I mean people have a hard time understanding why a dentist needs to do something. Before he can sell the solution, the patient has to buy the problem. When they look in the mirror and the doctor says: `Do you see that?' They don't really see it. With the video they do."

Many oral surgeons use the camera to record procedures such as implant surgery, then use the videos to teach the procedures to other dentists.

Dentists say they also find the video camera useful as a diagnostic tool because the tremendous magnification on the screen allows them to see problems they might otherwise overlook.

The system costs $8,200, but Cooper is getting another $17,500 system that will include computer imaging capability. Use of the video system is included in the cost of the dental visit.