Why invest in digital radiography? Not only are the images immediately available, they’re clear and color-coded. You can share the images with your patients on a chairside monitor, along with digital photos, both intraoral and extraoral, for a complete virtual tour of the mouth. Additionally, digital x-ray systems emit about 80-90% less radiation than traditional systems, so they’re safer for the patient and your team. Considered “green,” a digital radiograph requires no harsh chemicals for developement, and it also takes up no storage space (except on your harddrive or server). Digital x-rays can be accessed quickly, as well. Transferring them to insurance companies and specialists is quick and easy. And if you plan to make your office paperless now or down the road, a digital radiography system is key.

Review brands and styles at www.dentalcompare.com. There you’ll find many of the digital radiography systems on the market, as well as reviews and data for comparison.

Learn more about Duerr online here. The website lists one US supplier: info@airtechniques.com.

Rochester, NY, September 15, 2006 – Eastman Kodak Company is extending its partnership with Leica Camera AG to provide image sensors for the newly announced LEICA M8.  The new KODAK KAF-10500 image sensor was developed specifically for use with the M8, and marks Kodak’s second collaboration with Leica, building on the success of Kodak’s interaction with Leica on the LEICA DIGITAL-MODULE-R.

The first digital camera to use the Leica viewfinder system, the LEICA M8 extends the Leica M series into the digital world.  By working closely with Leica, Kodak designed and optimized the new image sensor to meet the demanding needs of Leica photographers.

With a resolution of over 10 million pixels, the KAF-10500 continues Kodak’s legacy of offering high performance imaging devices that leverage Kodak’s Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) technology for low noise, high sensitivity, and wide dynamic range.  Utilizing a 6.8µm pixel architecture, the sensor uses an optimized microlens configuration to maximize center to corner uniformity for improved image quality, particularly important for the broad incident light angles associated with M series lenses.  The sensor also includes anti-blooming protection to prevent against image corruption during high light level conditions.

“We are excited to be broadening our relationship with Leica by supplying sensors for the M8 digital camera – the newest member of the Leica M system,” said Chris McNiffe, General Manager of Kodak’s Image Sensor Solutions group.  “Kodak will continue to work with camera manufacturers such as Leica to provide industry leading imaging technology that meets the evolving demands of today’s photographers — from professionals who demand the highest in resolution and performance, to consumers looking for advanced imaging devices such as digital still cameras and camera phones.”

Kodak delivers the core technology that drives the most advanced developments in digital imaging applications.  A pioneer in image sensing, Kodak develops, manufactures, and markets both CCD and CMOS image sensors for applications ranging from satellite and medical imaging applications to digital cameras and machine vision products.

For more information on the KAF-10500 image sensor, please contact Image Sensor Solutions, Eastman Kodak Company at (585) 722-4385 or by email at imagers@kodak.com.  For more information on Kodak’s entire image sensor product line, please visit www.kodak.com/go/imagers

Tony

Schick, whose shares rose 6 percent in over-the-counter trading, will pay its shareholders a special dividend of $2.50 per share as part of the deal.

Sirona is a leading manufacturer of high-tech dental equipment; Schick is a leader in digital dental imaging systems.

“This transaction represents a significant strategic growth opportunity,” said Schick President and Chief Executive Jeffrey Slovin. “We will create a company with a strong global presence, an unrivaled breadth of products, and excellence in research and development.”

The merged company, to be named Sirona Dental Systems Inc., will be based in Bensheim, Germany, and will seek a Nasdaq National Market listing for its stock.

It will have $500 million in worldwide sales, including more than $180 million of revenue in North America, Schick said. The deal will boost 2006 earnings per share.

The companies expect to achieve annual combined cost savings of $5 million to $7 million within 12 to 24 months of the deal’s close.

In the deal, structured as a so-called reverse merger, Schick would issue to Sirona’s parent company 36.97 million new Schick shares. Sirona’s owners would hold 67 percent of the combined company, and Schick shareholders would own the balance.

Based on Schick’s closing stock price of $25.10 in Friday over-the-counter bulletin board trading, the value of shares to be issued in the deal is about $928 million.

Including more than $500 million in debt, the deal would have a total value of about $1.46 billion.

Schick shares were up $1.60 to $26.70 in late-morning trade on Monday.

UBS Investment Bank was exclusive financial adviser and Dorsey & Whitney LLP was legal adviser to Schick. JP Morgan was exclusive financial adviser and Kirkland & Ellis LLP was legal adviser to Sirona.

Sirona, which has offices in Germany and Charlotte, North Carolina, recently completed a management buyout with Madison Dearborn Partners LLC and Beecken Petty O’Keefe and Co., two private equity firms based in Chicago. (Additional reporting by Julie Steenhuysen in Chicago)

Paul Feuerstein: Simple. Cone beam tomography. We now have a method to essentially take CT/MRI type scans on teeth, bone and jaws. In-office units are available (currently at a high cost). There is no reason to wonder how close a third molar might be to the mandibular canal. You will know exactly where to place an implant. How about looking at slices through a tooth to see where the canals are. Periodontal bone defect architecture? Some dentists are pooling resources and sharing a machine. Some are purchasing outright and allowing others to send their patients in for a scan of about $300-500. Some of the new digital pan units will have add-ons to upgrade to this, notably Sirona and Planmeca.

The offshoot of this is that dentists have to learn how to read and interpret these. In lieu of this, services are being developed to read them for you (Dale Miles). Computer programs are in place to read, interpret and even build virtual models. The images are mind boggling. I have a lot of information coming out soon on this. My recent column in Dental Economics is a preview.

I’ve Got You Under My Skin DE July 2005

Similarly, shorter shooting distances or longer focal length produce a shallower DOF and longer shooting distances or shorter focal length produce a deeper DOF. DOF tnds to be shallower in front of your subject in focus and deeper behind the subject. If you pay attention to DOF your photography will vastly improve. Just something to consider!!!

Dr. John Jameson
Chairman of the Board
Jameson Management, Inc.
www.jamesonmanagement.com
"You CAN have the practice of your dreams!"

You can easily set up this studio for under 1000 dollars. My system is made by Novatron and cost under 800 dollars. the system paid for itself the first week I purchased it. Something to think about. Feel free to e-mail your questions to Hooday@apk.net.

Benjamin Hornstein

The advantage of fixed lens are their quickness. They are usually faster (which translates into better shooting in in low light situations). This is a major advantage for indoor sports, and portrait and event photography. A fast, fixed, prime lens avails a photographer the ability to capture action shots in low light. That being said with higher ISO values producing low noise resolution this is not as big an issue as it once was. Another big purpose for prime is bohtec. This refers to the ability of the lens to allow blurring of the background in photos. It allows a veiwer’s eye to concentrate on the subject the artist wants the viewers to focus on instead of distracting the eye with too much stimulation from an in focus background. This can only occur with low f stop (wide aperatures) values ie. f1.2, f1.8, f2.0. A prime lens is usually cheaper than its zoom counterpart assuming the both have comparable wide aperatures.

OK, that being said the golden question is what lens should be considered for use in a dental office and outside the office.

1. 100mm f2.0 macro zoom lens with a ring flash is a must.
2. 85mm f1.2 if you have a portrait studio with studio lights.
3. 35mm f1.4 if you enjoy landscape shot
4. 24-70mm L f 2.8 zoom, one of the best all around general purpose lens available.
5. 70-200 L f2.8 IS zoom, my person favorite although it is heavy.

If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me at hooday@apk.net.

I am having a 2-day hands-on photography seminar in my office Sept.22nd and 23rd. Deails to follow soon.