Tools for Transformation
Funded Proposals
School of Dentistry: Department of Orthodontics
The objective of this Tools for Transformation project is to establish a digital imaging capability for teaching, research and patient care in the Department of Orthodontics. Orthodontics is a discipline that focuses on the treatment of all types of dental and facial malformations. These can range from very subtle problems to obviously disfiguring anomalies. Orthodontists have a long history of recording and analyzing these problems during development and treatment using photographic and radiographic images. The power of modern computer technology is having a profound impact on how these orthodontists use these images. Today, orthodontists can explore various treatment options during the planning stages; use these morphed images to better communicate with patients and other health-care workers; as well as more easily store and retrieve data for research and teaching purposes. Digital records, combined with the internet, can also provide distance learning, consultative and research capabilities.
| Contact: |
Gregory King Chair, Department of Orthodontics gking@u.washington.edu |
| Allocation: | $26,300 |
| Date Funded: | October 1998 |
PROGRESS REPORT
Plans were finalized for the creation of a digital imaging facility in
the Department of Orthodontics. Renovation of an outdated analogue imaging
facility in our teaching clinic will commence on August 23. The Department
has purchased most hardware and software necessary including new computers,
software, scanners, and digital cameras. We have revised our clinical
photography course offered to incoming graduate students to reflect a
major shift in our emphasis to digital imaging. All first-year graduate
students last year collected clinical records digitally. Each of their
clinical conferences was presented using this format, including the use
of newly acquired prediction software. We are in the planning stages of
creating a
website that will be used for problem-based teaching of orthodontics to
undergraduate dental students. This project will begin during fall quarter.
We are also commencing a project designed to store and retrieve images
from file servers based on clinically relevant keywords.
The file server will be purchased next fiscal year, and the
software will be written subsequently in a collaboration between one
of our newly hired junior faculty and computer consultants in the
School of Dentistry. Once completed, this will permit the easy retrieval
of case-based material for lectures, testing and research.
Tools for Transformation
Funded Proposals
