Is your Orthodontists office updated/high tech?

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#1 Post by **VistaXP** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 1:05 pm

I went to several Orthodontists and one of them has at least 7 LCD monitors with information on patients and a computer where patients can sign in instead of signing your name on a piece of paper. And the office look very nice and modern, seems like they hired an interior designer.

After, I went to another which seem it needed a makeover, when I went in, I thought I was in the late 80's. They told me I had to pay for an X-ray somewhere else and pay consultation fees which were $90. I said no way.

#2 Post by **crazybeautiful** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 1:23 pm

My ortho is in the hospital so it's just your standard office. She has a pretty new pc and brings up any patient info needed as and when. So long as I'm not in a run down basement, but instead my ortho is doing their job well and is top for the job, I really don't care if they have a nice HD monitor and maybe a nice rug to boot

#3 Post by **crazybeautiful** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 1:29 pm

Forgot to add- as for paying for an X-ray elsewhere, etc, fair enough. However, I don't think having mod-cons equates to better treatment/service as a general principle

#4 Post by **ohmyjaw** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 1:37 pm

I have to sign in on a computer at my ortho's office. I actually don't like it, because it doesn't feel very personal. I also hate the radio station they listen to... But these are small things. The important thing (like crazybeautiful said) is that the people are nice and I am getting good treatment.

#5 Post by **adultbraces** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 2:00 pm

Your orthodontist offices sounds exactly mine. There's a lap top at the entrace for patient to sign in and also there's a photo taken so everyone knows who you are once you arrive to the office. And there's this lights on the wall blinking to annouce who's ready to see the doctor. And all the staff and orthdontist record everything on laptop. I was amazed and everyone was organized and proffesional.

#6 Post by **ilovemacs** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 2:22 pm

Mine is pretty high tech. I say my name to sign it, and sit on deck (there are 4 chairs lined up closer to the treatment area). It's pretty modern. I don't think it's new or old just fine! I love my ortho's, he's the perfect one for me.

#7 Post by **cally** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 3:26 pm

I sign in by putting my left index finger on a small pad that the computer reads and matches with me. Everything is very high tech. However, everyone seems to know me somehow (my daughter is also a patient there) so I don't really feel "like a number" (or fingerprint--heehee.)

PS--the music is AWFUL!

#8 Post by **Lisa65** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 3:43 pm

Mine isn't high-tech at all. He shares premises with the community dentist so it's all pretty basic. I walk into the waiting room and the receptionist always greets me by name (patients do have photos on file so I guess the staff know who they are expecting that day). When it is my turn to go into the treatment room, the assistant will come and call me through.

Having said that, my ortho will be moving to new purpose built premises sometimes in 2008, so I expect things will be a lot more plush.

#9 Post by **sauerkraut** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 4:03 pm

Mine is delightfully low-tech. Patients records are kept on card indexes, and the appointments book is completed in pencil, with an eraser on hand to rub out cancellations - just like at the doctors' where I had a student job as an assistant receptionist 25 years ago! I think it's great!

#10 Post by **sauerkraut** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 4:14 pm

P.S. In fairness to my ortho I should add that I think he prefers to spend his budget on equipment for treatment rather than admin...

#11 Post by **sauerkraut** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 4:14 pm

P.S. In fairness to my ortho I should add that I think he prefers to spend his budget on equipment for treatment rather than on admin...

#12 Post by **jennielee81** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 4:36 pm

My ortho's office is fairly high-tech. I check in by saying my name, but there is ortho cad for every patient, e-mail appoitment reminders, I can access ALL of my x-rays, progress pix, and result pix on-line.

My kid's ortho is very LOW tech. THe office doesn't even have a computer! 1979 chairs in the exam room, herculon couches and orange pedistal chairs in the waiting area. Everyone's records are on cards in a file folder.

I spend 10 minutes chatting with the receptionist/assistant before and after each visit. Quaint, folksy, small-town...

#13 Post by **Pepper** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 6:20 pm

Mine is quite high-tech. The waiting room is very modern. When you go to sign in, you go to a computer with a touch screen and you put your pointer finger on, it finds you, and then it signs you in and you're good to go.

They also have Gameboys at every station in case you have to wait for something during the appointment.

#14 Post by **Tin Indian** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 7:52 pm

You have to sign in at my ortho's by using your right hand index finger on a touch screen.
And they have a LCD screen at every chair.
They play 60's- 90's rock and roll music too. I told them to update some by putting in SPAMS for everybody but then would would want to leave in the middle of a movie?
Oh, by the way: My ortho sent out Xmas cards designed by a patient in a contest to everyone and an update letter to keep people up to snuff on things in his office and the ever prsent "Don't forget to put your name in for our monthly drawing give-away's" and stuff like that. Seems he's putting up new office down the road about 2 miles. Now I'll have to drive instead of walking like normal.

#15 Post by **EmbraceMe** » Sun Dec 23, 2007 11:44 pm

Like others, I sign in by using my index finger which then brings up my picture and welcomes me. There is a sign posted that says if you are waiting more than 10 minutes to go tell the front desk (I never wait at all, they are so efficient). There are computers at each station, and when they are ready for the orthodontist to come to your station, they just press a button that pages him to your chair.

The place is decorated like a jungle, complete with vines hanging from the ceiling, and stuffed jungle animals all over the place. It looks so awesome! There is a full game room for the big kids, and a little play area for the younger kids. There is a kitchen complete with food and drinks for you to help yourself, then you can get a toothbrush and brush your teeth afterward.

Also as a very personal touch, the staff (whomever may have assisted you that day) sends you a short note in the mail, the message may say, "nice to see you today; have a great weekend"; or "sorry you were in a little pain today, feel better", whatever may pertain to your visit.

The place is great. I love it.