I want to start off my first column by thanking Dr. Joe Blaes for this giving me this column. When I was invited to dinner with Dr. Blaes at the Greater New York meeting this past November I really had no idea why. Half way into dinner he asked me to write a column based my experiences with digital photography and marketing. So thanks again Dr. Blaes for this wonderful opportunity.
I was asked to write this column because of my teaching experience with digital photography and my work with companies both inside and outside of dentistry for their marketing photography. I have taught digital photography for both clinical and marketing at PAC~Live, IOAD, genR8TNext, AACD, and most major dental meetings. If any of you have any questions or topics you would like for to discuss in this column or in private, please email me at tony@tonysoileau.com or call my office at 337/234-3551.
The topics I will discuss will be based on my own experiences with products I actually use everyday in my practice. While I will share techniques, I will base the column on the economics of the products and how they affect the bottom line of my practice. What will work best for an individual practice needs to be determined by the dentist based on the practices needs and budget.
Let’s start off with the two styles of digital cameras, Point and Shoot and Single Lens Reflex (35mm style). Each of these cameras has advantages and disadvantages that can affect their efficiency in your office.
The Point and Shoot style digital cameras are usually less expensive than the SLR digital cameras. A good Point and Shoot dental set up like the Canon G6 which is my favorite, will cost $1200-$1800. The quality of the image, depending on the model, is often equal to the more expensive SLR cameras. They are smaller in size and can be held with one hand. The image can be seen on a monitor located on the back of the camera instead of looking “through” the camera. The small size and viewing monitor are often preferred by team members. The lower cost is often the deciding factor for most dentists. But the lower cost does come with compromises. The lower cost means fewer features. It seems that every lecture I give there is a dentist present that is frustrated because he/she believed all digital cameras are equal because they are all “digital”. The bells and whistles found on more expensive cameras often equal faster and more efficient performance. The disadvantages of Point and Shoot cameras is their inability to focus in low light areas like those found inside the mouth. Pretty much all digital cameras on the market can take a great smile shot. But intraoral photos are where many fall short. Another disadvantage is the lack of depth of field. This means that you will not be able to have both the centrals and the molars in focus.
A SLR digital camera, while giving the best performance, is usually more expensive than the Point and Shoot digital cameras. My favorite SLR is the Canon 20D. A dental set up for this camera will cost on average $2800. A SLR will have more functions which will allow for easier and faster capturing of images. Because the camera can be further automated, fewer settings will have to be used than a Point and Shoot style camera. This means they are easier to use even though they have more buttons and features. The digital SLR cameras have no problem with low light conditions and can focus and take images as fast as you can push the button. The quality of SLR digital cameras is superb. Most digital SLR cameras have a resolution that has surpassed slide film. They do have disadvantages however. First of course is the cost compared to Point and Shoot style cameras. They are also heavy due to the Macro lens. The weight and the fact that you have to look “through the camera” to take the photo are not favored by most team members.
So these are your two choices. The Point and Shoots are less expensive and lighter but struggle to take photos inside the mouth and cannot have everything in focus for certain shots. The SLR type cost and weighs more but are far easier to use and take photos perfectly and very quickly. In my practice we take photos on EVERY patient. Both my team and I prefer to use the Canon 20D. We use our G6 as a backup camera. But if a SLR is out of your budget, I would suggest starting with a Point and Shoot and then purchase a SLR with the increased production it will bring you.