From: Mahalaxmi Sekar
To: ROOTS
Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2007 8:17 PM
Subject: Re: [roots] Microscope course

I am from India and ve booked my first microscope( Seiler) and all excited
about it. But I would like to attend a course on microendodontics before I
start using it.

Could anyone suggest a good course in the US or Europe? I would like to
attend  a course after Dec,2007 since I will be busy till year end.
Any suggestions?  Thanks in advance, - Mahalaxmi, India

SMLuger1@aol.com wrote:

Dear Mahalaxi,

Congrats on the purchase of your scope. I am showing you on the picture below something for you to consider
regarding your new scope. I don't know what options you have purchased with your scope so look at the picture
below . I thing some options are very important and worth the expense

If you look at the scope below you will notice an optical extender and a rotation device which allows you to
sit about six inches further back. This is especially helpful when you are working on the mandibular arch as
you see below the objective lens is aimed back towards the throat to see the posterior teeth and yet one can
sit up straight instead of leaning over the patients head. It also allows you to tilt the scope from side to
side while still keeping the eyepieces horizontally level.

You will also notice the users pictured below all have a video camera being used 100% of the time. Many dentist
feel that the camera is not important and I can tell you it pays big dividends.

Also notice the monitor that is being used so the patient can see what is being done and allows for better
communication not only with the patient, but it also is used by the assistant to anticipate your needs.



Here is a dentist who ideally has a monitor directly over the patient and one off to the side so the assistant
can see what he can see. By doing this, I teach the assistant to do a multitude of tasks that the dentist
normally does.



I have found that most dentists use "assisted dentistry" rather than actual "four-handed dentistry". There is a
BIG difference. Most assistants almost fall asleep during endodontics. All they usually do is generally do
suctioning. If you use an assistant properly, she could do so much more for you.

Take a hands-on training course if  you can find one. Getting training from a DVD is helpful, but having someone
by your side coaching you and correcting any mistakes you are making while you are working is much more effective
than trying to do things by yourself.

Below is a dentist who had this microscope for over 10 years. After trying to use it by himself years ago,
he gave up in frustration. This picture was taken by me while I was training him and his assistant to work as a team,
you now you can see him working comfortably not only sitting up straight and comfortable, but you can see his
assistant fully involved by using the video screen to give  her the information she needs.



I assume you know that for the majority of the work you do, you should sit at the 12 o'clock position. It makes
life so much easier.



Good Luck

Stefan M. Luger
Microscope Consultant and Hands-on Trainer

Dear Stefan,

Thanks a lot for the details given by u. I could get most of the points, certain ones I think i will pick up
once I start using the scope.

The Seiler microscope that I am getting has a beam splitter for video and digital camera attachment,
and I am getting a monitor fixed across the chair for the patient to see.

Is a monitor enough for the assistant or do i need to get an assistant scope too?
Do you conduct courses at your place too?
If you can come over here to India, will the month of Jan2008 be OK for you?

Thanks for everything
Regards,
Mahalaxmi

Dear Mahalaxmi,

Thank you for responding to my email.

#1 even though you are getting a beam-splitter, make sure you are getting the beam-splitter
which is 50-50 on one port, and 80-20 on the other. This is a beam-splitter that was manufactured
at my suggestion so that you can put the video camera on the 80-20 side where 60% - Stefan