Monitors are mounted on top of A-dec center consoles, so patients can view the information in either a seated or reclined position. The monitors also help Dr. Booker keep his young patients entertained with cartoons, and in 15 minutes he can be done with his work.

Though he wouldn’t call himself a gadget person, Dr. Booker loves computers and technology, and invests in systems that have been proven, such as CEREC^®. He owns a CEREC AC and CEREC MC XL, which allow him to create dental restorations onsite in one visit. Although CEREC is cutting-edge technology, he likes to let patients know that it’s been around for 25 years and keeps improving.

He has owned CEREC AC with Bluecam technology for nearly three years, but Dr. Booker said patients are even more impressed with it now than they were at his other office. "Same procedure, same machine. However, when patients tour the new office, its modern design and décor help to better showcase the technology," Dr. Booker said. "The technology then becomes even more effective."

New intraoral cameras are a big part of his practice, because they allow patients to more easily understand what’s happening in their mouths, which leads to greater treatment acceptance. One intraoral camera has been upgraded with the SoproLIFE Integrated Caries-Detection Camera Handpiece, which lets him "see" caries, for example, that are not visible to the naked eye. The Sirona Heliodent Plus intraoral X-rays and Sirona Orthophos XG5 digital pan also provide complementary imaging capabilities.

Besides building a showcase for technology, Dr. Booker and his wife, Tina, a registered dental hygienist who works for the practice, wanted to create an office with a look and feel that reflected their personalities. (Dr. Booker said he was very fortunate to have the help of his wife, who has extensive hands-on experience, in choosing equipment and products for their office.) In addition, Dr. Booker said he plans on being in this location for the next 15 to 20 years, so he wanted to choose a look that wouldn't become outdated in a few years.

Their first step was to take a VIP tour of the A-dec manufacturing facility in Newberg, Ore. There, the Bookers met the company's president and explored the various A-dec cabinetry series. Dr. Booker enjoyed the chance to talk to the people making the equipment, sensing the pride in their products and company. "The quality of the equipment is unsurpassed," Dr. Booker said.

Although he tested the continental "buggy-whip" style of delivery in his own operatories (thanks to a temporary set-up by his Patterson and A-dec representatives), Dr. Booker selected A-dec 511 chairs and the A-dec 542 side delivery system. The cabinetry is a warm chestnut brown and wood floors were chosen to match. For the operatory countertops, white quartz was selected for a clean, classic look.