ADA releases new informatics technical reports

June 16, 2004
Reports cover topics including digital photography, Internet security, and more.

The American Dental Association (ADA) Standards Committee on Dental Informatics has published the following informatics technical reports:

ADA Technical Report No. 1029 for Digital Photography -- To provide basic information on the use of digital photography in dentistry. It is intended to help facilitate the appropriate selection of the necessary equipment and the interoperability of digital images and the information contained therein to ensure reliable and consistent communication between concerned parties.

ADA Technical Report No. 1031 for Internet Security Issues for Dental Information Systems -- To create security awareness and education associated with a connection to the Internet for the dental practitioner. Because of the personal and private nature of patient information, and the vulnerability of the Internet to interception, the practitioner needs to understand how to handle issues of privacy, integrity and authenticity when storing and transmitting data.

The ADA Standards Committee on Dental Products has recently published the following specifications:

ANSI/ADA Specification No. 19 for Elastomeric Dental Impression Material -- For evaluating elastomeric dental impression materials.

ANSI/ADA Specification No. 33 for Dental Product Standards Development Vocabulary -- Updates and standardizes the nomenclature for dental products and product testing.

ANSI/ADA Specification No. 46 for Dental Patient Chairs -- Specifies requirements, test methods, manufacturer's information, marking and packaging for all types of dental patient chairs.

ANSI/ADA Specification No. 58 for Root Canal Files, Type H (Hedstrom) -- Specifies requirements, test methods, marking and packaging for endodontic Hedstrom files for hand use as used in endodontic preparation or shaping operations.

ANSI/ADA Specification No. 95 for Root Canal Enlargers -- Specifies requirements, test methods, marking and packaging for root canal instruments used mechanically to access and enlarge canals.

To order any of the above documents, or for more detailed information, please go to www.ada.org/scdp for products standards or www.ada.org/scdi for informatics. You may also contact the ADA by calling (312) 440-2500.