Mobile CBVI vans give dentists benefits of the technology without the cost

But this isn’t a perfect world and not all dentists can afford to invest in their own CBVI machine for a variety of reasons: They don’t know if their patient load can justify the expense, they don’t perform a large number of implants or other procedures that would require it, they don’t want to send their patients to a hospital where the radiation can be 10 to 100 times higher and they really don’t want to send their patients to a competitor and risk that patient defecting to the competition.

Luckily for them, Daniel Fields, executive vice president for ImageWorks, came up with a solution to the problem — a mobile imaging center van filled with the latest CBVI technology that would travel directly to the dentists’ offices along with a certified and experienced technologist who would perform the scan based on the consultation of the dentist and then provide it immediately for viewing.

“I developed the mobile concept after speaking with hundreds of dentists who expressed that having the CBVI information was important, but it was a significant investment. The options available were not that great,” Fields said. “All dentists want to provide the very best for their patients, but many dental offices are small businesses and can’t afford to provide the latest high-tech equipment. It is expensive, and they would have to raise their fee structure for all of their patients.”

Fields said he developed the mobile systems to address the hurdles that dentists and their patients would have to overcome to have their scans.

“Patients prefer not to be referred to an unknown facility or another practice, and they prefer to have all their tests and procedures performed in the familiar dentist’s office,” he said.

Fields said he took the mobile concept idea from the medical field where large hospitals often utilize sophisticated mobile CT and MRI units on a shared-use basis with other hospitals in the area. The mobile dental imaging system reduces investment for the dentists, provides convenience for the patient and actually helps in building patient confidence in the dentists as well as the practice.

In addition, Fields said, because dentists can share the scan with the patient directly after it is taken and they can go through the treatment plan together, the increase in patient acceptance is often significant.

The way the mobile imaging center concept works is simple. All of the vans are privately owned, either by dentists, technicians or investors. Currently, there are 34 vans in existence in various places across the United States, with new vans being added at a rate of about one a month.

As a mobile service user of one van, 3-D Mobile Cone Beam, Dr. David Jarrin said: “Utilizing 3-D Mobile Cone Beam’s services here in Chicago has been a huge advantage for not only my patients but also my practice. They really appreciate the convenience of having all procedures performed in the familiar surroundings of my office.

“As far as the diagnostic results, the image quality from the NewTom VGi have been superb; nothing else even comes close. After a scan is performed, I get the images immediately and do a consultation with the patient. It’s fantastic.”

ImageWorks oversees all the vans, providing support in terms of marketing, education and vehicle setup. The training is especially important.

“We train all the certified technicians through our educational programs,” Fields said. “They get the training on the VGi unit and software, and then spend time with the existing owners for additional training.”

As Jarrin explained: “The operators are extremely knowledgeable and professional, which results in more consistency and accuracy in the images. They always address any radiation questions my patients have and with NewTom’s Safe Beam technology, patients receive the radiation amounts customized specifically for them.”

The machine Jarrin is referring to, which is installed in all the vans, is the NewTom VGi unit, a cone-beam scanning unit that can provide life-size cross-sectional images of the mandible and maxilla. It can be used for analysis of implants, TMJ, orthodontics, maxillofacial surgery and as an airway assessment essential for correcting obstructive sleep disorder.

Dentists or specialists who want to take advantage of the high-tech scanning simply call the mobile imaging center for their area, schedule an appointment, and the mobile imaging center will be at their location.

“Dentists have the benefit of the 3-D scan, happier patients and a higher treatment acceptance, and it doesn’t cost them anything,” he said.

“Overall, the concept of having cone-beam scans at my office (via the mobile service) has completely elevated my level of patient care, without additional investment. If there is a 3-D mobile service in your area, I highly recommend trying out their service. There’s no reason not to leverage today’s standard of imaging care, especially if such a service is available,” Dr. Jarrin said.

Fields added that the cost of the scan is no more than any other dental scan in the country. Fields said he hopes all dentists take advantage of the mobile vans to put their patients’ care first.

“I subscribe to the triangle of benefits theory,” he said. “The patient is always on top, with the practice and the dentist on the other two points of the triangle. Quality care for the patient always comes first.”

(ImageWorks contributed to this report.)