Tuesday, December 30, 2014

You Have Choices and Complete Integration with SurfCT Technology

Coke or Pepsi. Audi, BMW or Mercedes.

Life is filled with choices and industry is filled with competition. Most times, customers are forced to choose one or the other.

When you partner with SurfCT.com, however, you don’t have to choose. That’s because at SurfCT, we have partnered with a variety of major best of breed technology companies to bring you the most advanced and comfortable information technology experience for your practice. We are certified to work with Apple, Dell and HP products, as well as certified and/or trained to work with all the top dental software and technology equipment manufacturing companies to help you create your bliss in your office.

“We are the only company with as much depth of knowledge in all of the various dental technologies that can best serve our clients,” said Paul Vigario, President of SurfCT. “We don’t sell products for a particular manufacturer: we are a trusted technology partner, and we’ve been able to carve out that niche in the industry because we act as an independent IT department with no ulterior motive but to make sure our dentists have the most amazing technology product integration and services working together as a completely integrated technology system that serves their needs.”

Most dental technology companies contract with certain manufacturers and therefore have a vested – and oftentimes financial interest – in pushing certain products or services. By design, SurfCT is designed to be fully independent with the engineering knowledge to integrate all dental technologies not just  a particular product or service – with this knowledge our commitment of service is to you, the doctor, Vigario says.

Vigario makes it clear that he does not sell dental technology equipment – he integrates them completely for doctors. The best-of-breed manufacturers trust in SurfCT to perform this service for the best, most advanced automated systems, which are completely integrated.

We work with DentrixPracticeWorksEaglesoftSoftDentCurve, just to name a few in the dental space and even specialty products like WinomsCSDolphinTopsOrtho and Orthotrac, along with dozens of others in the specialty space.

Vigario tells a story that vividly describes why it is so important to have a trusted partner who will work with a variety of technology manufacturers. Recently, SurfCT met with a dentist who had a good practice management system and wanted a digital X-ray system in her office.

She spoke with the X-ray technology company she wanted, whose distributor told her the only way she could integrate that system in her office was if she changed her practice management system. She and her staff had been using this practice management software for more than 12 years and they loved it. The idea of having to train on a new software practice management system – with a learning curve of 6-12 months – seemed painstaking.

“She would have had to pay almost double the amount because they work with a specific distributor that in this case wanted to push its own practice management system onto customers,” Vigario explains. “We told her she didn’t have to do that. It just makes sense: you don’t need to buy a brand new car if you just want new shiny wheels. As engineers, we can integrate the dental technologies you want for your practice with the ones you already have.”

SurfCT engineering was able to allow this client to get herself the new digital X-ray system she wanted and integrate it with her existing practice management system. As Vigario states, it was a win for everybody.

“Most importantly, the dental office wins because they get exactly what they want, and nothing they don’t need,” he said. “The digital sales reps and distributors win because they still get a sale and the most positive client experience. The trust we build with our technology knowledge is powerful for everyone

Vigario further explains his philosophy: “We are pro-technology. We want to bring the client the best possible dental technology on the market. But we are not pro-waste. As system engineers, if something is not broken, we’re not going to try to fix it or replace it. We are not going to make anyone spend money unnecessarily, and we are going to find the most advanced, efficient and cost effective way possible to help our partners create their practice bliss and achieve their goals.”


Thursday, November 20, 2014

Endo-Eze® FINDTM blogpost






Without dispute, determining and establishing the correct apical working length during root canal therapy has a profound and critical effect on the successful outcome of the procedure. However, this very thing has presented a challenge to endodontists and clinicians for many years, due to the fact that locating the apical constriction zone within a clinical perspective is very difficult—mostly because of its position and conformation, which are highly variable.

Methods of determining the working length include tactile sensation, knowledge of root canal lengths and anatomy, assessment of preoperative radiographs, and electronic apex locators. Traditionally, radiography has been the most used method in obtaining information on the anatomy of the root canal and its surrounding tissues. However, the working length measurement performed radiographically presents several limitations, namely radiation exposure, time expenditure, and difficulty of interpretation because it is a 2-dimensional image that is often overlapped with anatomic structures and is subject to the interpretation of the observer. Apex locators have been presented as valid instruments for identifying the apical foramen, helping to determine working length alternatively to the radiographic method. One published in vivo study states: “Underestimation of the WL [working length] can lead to insufficient debridement of the root canal, whereas overestimation can result in damage to the periapical tissues, which will delay or prevent healing…Furthermore, radiographs provide a two-dimensional image of a three-dimensional structure, which might affect the interpretation.”1

Another published study found that “working length ending radiographically 0–2mm short of the radiographic apex does not guarantee that instrumentation beyond the apical foramen will be avoided. Therefore radiographic working-length measurements should be combined with electronic working length determination using modern apex locators.”2

Third-generation apex locators detect the canal terminus by measuring the electrical properties of the apical part of the root canal, such as resistance and impedance, using multi-frequency measurement, like Ultradent Products, Inc.’s Endo-Eze® FINDTM apex locator. Endo-Eze FIND is a battery operated, portable device designed for foramen localization, using a multifrequency-dependent impedance method. FIND’s easy-to-read, full-color graphic display, audio feedback, and fully automatic measurements make foramen localization and working-length determination easy and convenient during root canal treatment. Thanks to its compact design and small footprint, FIND easily fits on any counter or treatment tray.

To learn more about, or purchase, the Endo-Eze FIND apex locator kit, please call 800.552.5512 or visit ultradent.com.

1. Stöber EK, Duran-Sindreu F, Mercadé M, Vera J, Bueno R, Roig M. An evaluation of root ZX and iPex apex locators: an in vivo study. J Endod. 2011;37(5):608-10.
2. ElAyouti A, Weiger R, Löst C. Frequency of overinstrumentation with an acceptable radiographic working length. J Endod. 2001;27(1):49-52.

Friday, October 10, 2014

Are you prepared for the unexpected?


We were on the shuttle heading to the conference this morning and we met a young dentist who had his right arm in a sling. Since we are in the disability insurance business, we were obviously intrigued to start asking some probing questions. I said “Dr., I have to ask you, what happened to your arm? And what was the first thing that went through your mind when it happened?” He was clearly thrown off by the second part of my question.  He went on to tell me he was playing with his son in the backyard, tripped over a toy, and ended up dislocating his shoulder.   Not only is it impossible to work, but he is having trouble sleeping and even opening a door.

He never did answer the second part of my question, but I started telling him about our business and asked him about his disability insurance portfolio. It was amazing to find out he knew very little about his policy, what it paid, when, how long etc.  He hadn’t taken the time to review it since he purchased it in dental school. 

We talk to people all the time who may have disability insurance but don’t really know what they own.  The point is don’t you think you should know what you have before the unexpected happens?  Wouldn’t it be nice to know you’re all set not hope your all set? 



Christopher Hayes | Financial Representative 
Doctors Disability Specialists | Living Legacy Financial Group, Inc
55 Ferncroft Rd., Suite 201, Danvers, MA 01923
Cell: 617-699-9601 Phone: 978-907-6005  Fax: 978-907-6099