The Dental Rat

I got to try the Dental Rat is Chicago. What is it?

The Dental R.A.T. (Remote Access Terminal) is a simple quiet hands-free solution to enter probe readings. It is a simple foot operated mouse with numbers for perio charting. It also allows hands-free access to intraoral cameras and digital x-rays!

Each of the four buttons can be used to record periodontal probe readings. If pushed once they are 1, 2, 3 or 4. If held down they are 5, 6, 7 or 8. The 4 and 8 button also acts as the right mouse click. The joystick moves the mouse cursor with speed and accuracy that are appropriate for a foot to control. The heel rests on the left mouse click and takes a firm downward motion to click or double click. It requires no special software, just plug into a USB port and go.

The device was invented by a hygienist and seems to work quite well. Ask your hygienist if she might like the idea.

As usual more information is available on their web site www.dentalrat.com