Dr. Gordon Christensen reviewed the various dental software programs in the February 2003 edition of CRA . In this independent research the findings showed that the #1 concern with all of the top 8 software packages was the fact that it did not reduce staff costs and one of the top features desired was- “hands-free periodontal charting”.
Dental R.A.T.’s hands‑free periodontal charting software and foot‑controlled interface deliver transformative benefits for dental practices of all sizes. Unlike traditional charting methods that rely on manual entry or voice recognition, Dental R.A.T. empowers clinicians to enter periodontal data without using their hands, eliminating the need for a dental assistant to assist with charting and freeing staff to focus on higher‑value clinical tasks.
One of the standout features of Dental R.A.T. is its plug‑and‑play simplicity. The device requires no additional software and works seamlessly with your existing practice management or periodontal charting programs — from Dentrix and EagleSoft to Open Dental and PerioExec. Dental hygienists and doctors can start using it immediately after setup, with minimal training.
The foot‑operated “mouse” control includes dedicated input buttons for periodontal measurements and standard cursor functions, so charting, intraoral imaging, and x‑ray navigation are all hands‑free. What truly sets Dental R.A.T. apart is its audio feedback capability: as charting numbers are entered, they are repeated aloud through speakers or a headset, enhancing patient education and engagement during hygiene appointments.
Practices benefit from improved efficiency and accuracy, reducing documentation errors and supporting better compliance with periodontal recording standards. Because it eliminates cross‑contamination risks and doesn’t require voice recognition (which can be unreliable in busy operatories), Dental R.A.T. offers a hygienic, dependable solution that fits into your workflow without disruption.
Best of all, it delivers these advantages without ongoing subscription fees, enhancing return on investment over time. Whether you are a solo practitioner or part of a larger group, Dental R.A.T. redefines how periodontal charting gets done — hands‑free, accurate, and efficient.
“I am writing to you with a sincere thank you and “Way-to-go” on your new product. The Remote Access Terminal (Dental R.A.T.) is a time saver extraordinaire! We have had three terminals in our office and it really frees up our staff for more productive use of their time.
Patients love the incorporation of the technology and they know they are receiving better care and more timely follow-ups. Our hygienists are more satisfied as well knowing that what they do is more complete for their patients. All in all this device has been a long time coming and it has been a boon to our practice.. Welcome to the 21st century!!”
“The Dental R.A.T. has filled a tremendous void in my office operation. I have tried voice activated periodontal charting. This technology was extremely finicky. Eventually, it failed all together and could not be resuscitated by my tech support team. I investigated an automated periodontal probe. This technology was too complex for my needs and extremely expensive.
I constantly found myself pulling a staff member from other duties to assist me with my periodontal charting. Needless to say, this created stress in the practice. The Dental R.A.T. has been the perfect solution. It is easy to use, relatively inexpensive to purchase, and becomes a useful patient education tool when hooked up to a speaker.
It is now simple for me to remain in compliance with periodontal record keeping standards. I highly recommend the R.A.T. for any office where interface between the dentists/hygienists and the computers is required.”
