FAQ'S

Can I download a free demo version of PerioPal?

Yes. You can download, install, and register a copy of PerioPal to get acquainted with the benefits of voice driven periodontal software. Evaluate the software at home or at the office!

Be sure to enter a valid email address to receive the PerioPal setup guide and comprehensive training materials. We respect your privacy. We use this email address to occasionally send training tips and announcements about upgrades.

I heard voice charting does not work, what makes PerioPal different?

Voice Works! PerioPal is a powerful alternative to traditional periodontal charting. We are designed to be different in two ways: Technology and Technique.
Technology: Many voice-driven periodontal charting systems use continuous "Voice Dictation" technology to control the input portion of the exam. The draw back of dictation is the very large vocabulary. There are up to 3,000 words in the speech system!
PerioPal uses a "Voice Command" system with fewer than 100 recognized words with any given screen. By limiting the user to only speak the selected, pre-determined commands, voice recognition accuracy increases.
This technology is perfect for a periodontal exam! Although a periodontal exam is data intense, only a select number of words are needed to record the information.
Technique: PerioPal's vocabulary consists of unique abbreviations and shortcut commands that enable the accurate recording of periodontal data in a shorter amount of time by reducing the number of spoken words. For example, saying " 5B" indicates 5 mm of probing depth with bleeding. Saying " Repeat" indicates the data matches the previous tooth surface.
Three great benefits come from using this innovative technique: voice recognition accuracy is greatly increased; there is flexible entry of data; and users can efficiently perform the exam in a single pass!
Voice Technology is not new, what's new is that it now works!

Do I need an automatic probing device to work with PerioPal?

No, PerioPal is a software product utilizing a compatible headset microphone and a computer. You do not need to purchase or train on any additional hardware.

Do I need a foot controlled device to record data with PerioPal software?

No, PerioPal is a software product utilizing a compatible headset microphone and a computer. You do not need to purchase or train on any additional hardware.

Simply click the START button to activate hands-free periodontal recording. A single PerioPal command can efficiently enroll multiple data entries at the same time. Other systems must record periodontal data in multiple screen passes or touch external buttons with hand, foot, or both for each data entry or function.

Can I see a demonstration of how "Voice Works"?

Please join our team for an online demo. These live web casts enable remote participants to observe PerioPal in action and become acquainted with the latest features.
For reservations contact 888.900.7725 or email customerservice@periopal.com

Is PerioPal ready and able to integrate with my existing system?

PerioPal is designed to be easily interfaced to most popular dental systems using a customized integration tool called DataGrabber. DataGrabber from Apteryx, Inc. allows the automated transfer of patient name, birth date, and record ID number to PerioPal. The DataGrabber interface eliminates the need to modify your dental office system software and still have a fully integrated solution.

Keep in mind, the periodontal exam data is not transferred back to the dental system. Exam data is recorded, stored, and reported in PeroPal.

Does PerioPal work with Dentrix G3 or G4?

Yes, PerioPal has been recently updated to work with Dentrix G3 and G4.

Is there a fee for bridging PerioPal to my system with the DataGrabber?

Yes, you will need to purchase one DataGrabber license per server.
NOTE: Your practice may already use DataGrabber for other applications. If you do, a PerioPal support representative can assist you in adding a PerioPal link using your existing DataGrabber eliminating the need to purchase a separate PerioPal version.

I have Eaglesoft software; do I need the DataGrabber license for integration?

No. Please contact PerioPal for more information.

My dental system has an open bridge policy. Can PerioPal integrate with my system?

Yes, PerioPal can write a simple bridge to the dental system.

Can PerioPal be networked?

A network version of PerioPal can now be installed on a shared network drive for multi-user applications.

Can exam data be viewed from a non-clinical workstation?

PerioPal can be installed on any workstation connected to the shared network. A shared version of PerioPal enables any workstation to view, email, or print PerioPal reports. Adobe Reader required.

How is PerioPal licensed?

After the download and evaluation exams, users have two licensing options:

• Pay-Per-Use Licensing
• Unlimited Licensing.

User can purchase additional blocks of ‘Exams’ using the “Pay-Per-Use” system or purchase a one-time Unlimited License. Pay-Per-Use clients can convert to Unlimited Licensing at any time.
Record as a stand-alone system or have PerioPal installed on your dedicated server, allowing an unlimited number of users to voice train, record, chart, and report periodontal exams.

What are the advantages of PerioPal’s NEW! Unlimited Licensing policy?

Although our pay-per-use model has gained momentum over the years, we found a significant number of practice owners prefer a one time purchase.  Offices with many users may find it more economical to purchase an unlimited license without worrying about ongoing costs or purchasing multiple licenses for each workstation.

PerioPal unlimited distribution allows the practice to grow and expand without additional periodontal charting software costs.

How are the ‘blocks’ of exams priced?

The price per exam is based upon the number of exams purchased. Purchasing in bulk will save as the cost per exam decreases at higher quantities.

How do we order more exams?

Once the exams have been used, additional blocks of exams may be purchased on the internet through a simple transaction activating the additional exams on the database. We accept telephone and fax orders.

How do we order exams if our office is not connected to the internet?

If your office is not connected to the Internet, go to a computer that is and browse to our Register site. There you will complete a Registration Form or an Order Exams form. PerioPal will then email you a numerical Key. When you receive it, return to your office computer and enter the information. The exams will then be activated on your computer’s database. A valid email address is required. We accept telephone and fax orders.

Why do I need a USB sound card device?

With speech recognition, you need a proper sound card. Most computer sound cards are not shielded properly; so they pick up electronic noise from within the computer enclosure. This distorts the sound signals from even the best microphone making speech recognition difficult or impossible.

Your USB Sound Device is designed to sit outside the computer so unwanted noise from within the computer is not picked up.

Why do I need the Buddy 6G sound device?

We have tested them all. The Buddy USB allows the PC microphone to connect directly to the body of the sound device without long cables. The sound signals coming from the microphone are digitized immediately enabling fast and accurate speech recognition.

Voice recognition for periodontal exams is a sophisticated technology requiring high quality hardware for recording accuracy. Settling for less accuracy is simply not acceptable when it comes to documenting periodontal data not to mention the time it takes to correct errors!

Other products may work for evaluating the software or for training at home, but are not recommended with PerioPal in a noisy clinical environment.

Can I use a wireless headset?

We tried but they failed. As we mentioned earlier, the Andrea Headset microphone connects directly to the Buddy USB sound device. The spoken PerioPal commands are immediately digitized enabling fast and accurate speech recognition.

In today’s dental environment, there is a lot of noise disharmony. Interior walls are constructed differently as more high speed and ultrasonic equipment emerges. We found the wireless headsets for voice-driven periodontal exams unreliable in the dental operatory.

Please check back. Voice technology is improving.

How do I know if I need the Dual Earphone Microphone?

If your office has an open bay design, we recommend a dual earphone microphone for two reasons. Having both ears covered isolates you from the surrounding office sounds and it lets you set the volume levels at a much lower setting preventing inaccuracies..

PerioPal's Voice Command Technology will respond accurately regardless of surrounding office sounds; however, it does not like higher-levels of volume coming from the computer. Your training materials will remind you often to keep the volume settings low.

What is the sequence of installation, networking, and bridging of the PerioPal software?

You will download, register, and train with the PerioPal program first. We recommend using all of the trial exams first to determine if PerioPal is a solution for your practice. When you are ready to move forward, order more exams, headsets (multiple workstations), and then have your system bridged and networked.

If we stop ordering exams, will we lose our previously recorded data?

No, you will not lose exam data or purchased exams.

Will PerioPal work on any computer?

When planning to purchase a new computer for use with PerioPal, please follow these guidelines

Do: Check the hardware requirements and Buyers Guide before purchasing a new computer. Buy a system with 2.0 GHz and 512MB RAM. Going much slower won't be economical over the long run.

Don't: Buy a slower system to save money. This is a productivity tool and will be used a great deal.

Don't: Select a Toshiba Satellite A Series (especially the A65) or any system that comes with its own Speech Program.

Note: A small percentage of computers do not function properly with PerioPal. Computers that come equipped with their own speech system other than Microsoft Speech failed in house certification and are not supported.

If you are purchasing a computer for speech recognition, please investigate the hardware components carefully. A PerioPal representative will be glad to advise you on your hardware.

Won't the learning curve for new software be tough?

Learning a new technology or job role is not a ‘plug and go’. PerioPal can help with comprehensive, interactive training options.

First, sign up for your complimentary ‘Getting Started’ web session for the setup, voice training, and basic recording techniques to start recording periodontal exams immediately Additional training sessions are available which blend online training with live discussions, real-world-based scenarios, and self-directed study.

The self-directed study is designed for various computer levels: the Quick Start Series for advanced computer users, the Basic Workbooks Series for new to moderate computer users, and the 35+ Training Videos compliment training for all levels.

Follow the recommended plan to fully integrate PerioPal into the practice. Remember you can download a copy of PerioPal on your home PC for extra training.

How will we learn to record an exam?

PerioPal comes with a User Manual, a self-paced Training Workbook, and over 30 video clips to facilitate the software's integration with your practice. Work at your own pace by learning the fundamentals of each command and by performing the exercises in each section to ensure you have mastered the concepts.

How long does it take to be trained?

This is the most common question! Think of training like a standardized test. We recommend 2-3 hours of uninterrupted study after installation to complete the Workbook. The self-pace Workbook is designed to cover the recording techniques in a progressive manner. Once trained, practice and perfect PerioPal’s commands when time permits.

Here are a few scenarios that do not work!
1.  “Hurry and train during lunch.”
2.  “Hurry and train between patients.”
3.  “Just start recording – there’s no time for the Workbook.”

Here’s What Works! 
Create a training strategy and set upward goals to gain recording skills! For example, record one patient in the morning and one in the afternoon. The next day increase the exams. Pick a firm date that the ‘training transition’ will end and all patients will be charted as needed.

Is PerioPal Mac compatible?

Yes. PerioPal is a Windows product but will work with BOTH the Mac Boot Camp feature and WINDOWS XP PRO. Contact PerioPal for more details.

Will PerioPal run on Windows Vista?

We regret that the speech module in Vista was not built to be compatible with previous versions of Microsoft Speech and its voice tools. PerioPal is proud of our reputation for accuracy and speed and did not want to release a PerioPal/Vista version that would be problematic for the user.

The speech recognition engineers for MS Windows 7 have stated that it will be compatible with previous versions of Microsoft Speech. Please check back for more information on Windows 7.

Will PerioPal run on Windows 7?

The speech recognition engineers for MS Windows 7 have stated that it will be compatible with previous versions of Microsoft Speech. Please check back for more information on Windows 7.

Will PerioPal run on Windows 98?

No. Microsoft no longer sells or supports Windows 98 (First or Second edition).

What type of warranties does PerioPal provide?

PerioPal offers a 12-month warranty for software products and a 30-day email support following Registration. This coverage is for systems having the proper Hardware Requirements.

Does PerioPal print reports?

Yes. There are 4 different reports available for printing.

• PerioData Report
• Diagnostic Summary
• Graphic Report
• Comparative Summary

PerioPal enables clients to enhance the quality of their dental records by converting periodontal reports to PDF attachments.

How much storage does my computer need?

100 MB = 100,000 exams, 1000 exams per megabyte, 1000 pts per megabyte.

How will PerioPal increase my productivity?

PerioPal was design to be an efficient and useable system. Users can record, chart, store, and report all oral conditions as they are observed -- and do it alone, without chairside assistance, intensive training, or frustrating inaccuracies associated with traditional periodontal charting.

Following a periodontal exam:

10% of Existing Patients will need Scaling and Root Planing
15% of Existing Patients will need adjunctive medications.
25% of Existing Patients will need Therapeutic Maintenance .

50-70% of all New Patients over the age of 25 who have not seen a dentist in 2 years will have some form of periodontal disease requiring at least two quads of SRP or Disinfection.

With Unlimited Licensing, how many workstations can we install PerioPal?

With both licensing models, PerioPal can be installed on an unlimited number of workstations on a single server based on one server per location.

How many users can voice train and use PerioPal?

With both Pay-Per-Use and Unlimited Licensing, an unlimited number of users can voice train and use PerioPal without purchasing additional licenses for each user.

What does one server distribution mean?

PerioPal can be installed on an unlimited number of computers/workstations on a single server based on one server per location.

If we start with the Pay-Per-Use option can we later switch to Unlimited Licensing?

Yes, you can convert to Unlimited Licensing at any time.

What happens if we aren’t sure which option is best for our practice after we’ve completed the 25 exams?

You can either download the PerioPal system* again or purchase a small ‘Exam’ package. Extra exams are not expensive when evaluating a software investment. What’s expensive is purchasing software or equipment that you do not use.

*A new download will install a new/different database.

What are the advantages of PerioPal’s Pay-Per-Use policy?

The pay-per-use licensing policy allows practice owner to minimize their upfront costs for periodontal software, maximize their overall IT-investment, increase productivity, and easily track how many exams are being performed. Users pay for actual usage.

After a period of time, the practice may wish to convert to the unlimited or continue with the pay-per-use option. Users select the option that best fits their practice.

How do I order compatible headset and USB sound device?

We recommend users purchase compatible microphone hardware directly from our recommended audio hardware specialists. Speech Recognition Solutions offer PerioPal users exclusive pricing.

With the recent introduction of Active Noise Canceling technology, the recommended high quality microphones and USB sound device will filter out background noise very efficiently. You can record with PerioPal in a noisy clinical environment with excellent results.

Are there any office designs that do not work with PerioPal?

If your office design is completely open without ANY barriers such as cabinets, walls or doors between PerioPal and high frequency sounds (handpieces or ultrasonic scalers from nearby clinicians), please contact PerioPal for more information.

Can I use PerioPal and Educational DVDs or music on the same computer?

Yes, please refer to the User Manual (“Tips and Tweaks”) for setup instructions or contact PerioPal for assistance.

Do I need internet connection to install and network PerioPal on my office server?

Yes, your server must be connected to the internet to download and install the network version of PerioPal.

What do I need for the online training sessions?

After you have made your training reservation, you will need to have the items in place for web training.

1. Internet connection.
2. A telephone at your computer workstation
3. The printed PerioPal Workbook(s)
4. The Microphone and USB headset hardware

** PerioPal needs to be installed and registered.