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Product Profile: DEXIS by Nanette Brown, RDH

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Two years ago, I became a genius. Actually, when my office switched to digital X-rays, I was anxious I would have to be a genius to comprehend a new way of taking radiographs and working with a computer. I was pleasantly surprised to find that switching from film to a digital system was not only easy, it was one of the best changes ever for our practice.

When Dr. David Grauer and Dr. Mark Kuchta decided to implement a DEXIS digital X-ray system, the other team members and I wondered why we needed to change. We did just fine with traditional film. We worried that digital X-rays would be just one more task that we had to spend a lot of time and effort learning. But, as a hygienist in a modern practice, I knew I had to be open to new ideas. I was happily surprised to find that on the first day using the system in the office, I was hooked.

The sales representative’s demonstration of DEXIS was interesting. The process didn’t seem as intimidating as I had previously thought. I was happy to see that it utilized paralleling holders since I’d been using these devices all my professional life. Later, the training process was quick and easy. Honestly, the learning curve from film to digital was almost non-existent.

On our first work day with DEXIS, I found myself all on my own with my Platinum Sensor. I took an FMX, and was so proud of my results! As I worked with the single-size sensor, patients remarked about the comfort of the rounded corners. The best part was when Dr. Kuchta checked my progress on that first day, and told me my images were really good. That’s what I wanted to hear – even after practicing hygiene for 40 years!

Of course, there were a few times when I had to think back to my training, though after just a few days of working with the DEXIS sensor and software, they became second nature to me. I was even able to advise other team members who had questions. Our other hygienist, who is 10 years older than me, quickly acclimated to the system. We all overcame our reluctance to change. We now have beautiful digital images, and no one misses the smelly chemicals and the old processor.

The things I now enjoy about digital radiography are that it is a time saver and a helpful tool. As a hygienist, I use X-rays to find where the calculus is hiding. I never realized how much time was wasted when developing film X-rays. The film X-ray was rarely developed until I was done with the prophy. I’d much rather have that information beforehand to know if I am missing anything, and with digital radiographs, I know immediately if I have captured all that I need to see.

One of the most important aspects of any X-ray is its clarity. With our DEXIS system, we are very impressed with the clear resolution. On the computer, we can enlarge the image, lighten or darken and ClearVu it, for the most diagnostic benefit. The patients also enjoy seeing their X-rays in such a large format; it helps them visualize what I am telling them about the condition of their teeth. Showing them a digital X-ray on our large monitor is so much more effective than showing them a small film X-ray or putting a mirror in their hands and saying, “Can you see back here?” Patients also appreciate that they receive less radiation than they would with a digital system.

My advice to hygienists, assistants and dentists who are considering switching from film to digital is: leap into it! You are going to love it the first day you start using it, and you will never look back. You don’t have to be a computer genius to get great images. Even though, when I am working with DEXIS, I enjoy feeling like a genius.

Author's Bio
Nanette Brown is a hygienist at the office of Dr. David Grauer and Dr. Mark Kuchta, located in Park Ridge, Illinois.
Orthotown Magazine
October 2025
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