Q&A with Dr. Doug Chenin

Editor's Note:The following article is an exclusive interview with Dr. Doug Chenin, a general dentist and director of clinical affairs at Anatomage, Inc., in San Jose, Calif., who has become an expert in the field of 3-D technology. Dental assistants are in an excellent position to learn more about CBCT (cone beam computed tomography). Before performing scans with CBCT, dental assistants must make sure that they are qualified to perform dental radiography procedures and meet any applicable requirements specific to CBCT.
DAD: Cone beam technology (CBCT) is a hot issue right now. What advice would you give dental assistants who want to learn about the technology?Dr. Chenin: The potential with CBCT is great, and so is the responsibility that comes along with it. What we can do with treatment diagnosis is great, but the process has to be learned correctly. Sadly, there aren’t too many resources out there for dental assistants. They can read about CBCT in some books, but there isn’t a lot available that deals with technique. There just isn’t a “how to” book out there. My advice to dental assistants is to take some CE on CBCT, and go to trade shows and ask manufacturers questions. If they can learn from the software company or the seller of the machine, do it. They should not be afraid to ask for a trial copy of software from software companies or reach out to a colleague or imaging center in the area.

i-CAT data as seen in InVivoDental AnatomageDAD: What are the things that should excite dental assistants the most about CBCT?Dr. Chenin: The patient education and case presentation aspects are amazing with CBCT. What is shown through this technology is the backbone of what the patient needs to know. If you can show a patient in 3-D what is happening in his or her mouth when presenting diagnosis and treatment planning, you’re not only showing the advanced technology in your office, you’re also opening the patient’s eyes to what is really going on in the mouth. If you hold up a radiograph, the patient’s eyes will gloss over when you talk about oral health. When you can point out a problem using a 3-D image, the patient becomes immediately engaged. Not only does the practice look cutting-edge, so does the dental assistant, who we all know plays a vital role in case acceptance. The CBCT images are some of the most high-tech images that patients will ever see, and that builds confidence and respect for the practice and dental assistant.DAD: So this is something you’re excited about for dental assistants.
Dr. Chenin: Absolutely. The dental assistant could easily spot something before the dentist on these CBCT scans, so I would advise every assistant to be very vigilant with every patient. Dental assistants are always advocates for the patient, and this is another opportunity to be just that. Providing additional information to the patient is always a plus. It’s very possible that something can be seen with a CBCT scan 10 years before it’s seen by a regular doctor. With this technology, dental practices are continually becoming the front line in the battle for an individual’s overall health. And if your practice places implants, the entire practice will be immensely empowered with CBCT. After patients view information in 3-D, they will be ready to talk about the next step in their oral health.DAD: And the future of CBCT is exciting as well?
Dr. Chenin: Yes. The day will come in the not-too-distant future when this technology will turn every patient into a virtual patient, meaning they will be able to see everything that affects their oral health, and they will be able to virtually treatment plan their cases. This technology can help eliminate last-minute decisions in terms of treatment planning or case acceptance. Dental professionals will have a “preview” of every patient before he or she sits in the chair just by looking at the last CBCT scan. With more therapeutic devices available, such as surgical guides for implants, virtual patients will continually be connected to real patients to improve the quality, precision, and possibilities of their dental care.