Dental RAT Contact Information
- Phone (US and Canada, toll-free): 877-278-0061
- Additional phone: 208-489-1590
- Email: bky.logue@gmail.com
- Business hours: Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm
- Saturday and Sunday: Closed
The company invites you to call anytime during business hours. Beckmer Products Inc., the maker of the Dental R.A.T. 2.0, is based in Meridian, Idaho. Email is the better route for less common questions that do not need an immediate answer, and the phone is better when you want to talk through your software or workflow in real time.
What You Can Contact Dental RAT About
Because the Dental R.A.T. is a hands free periodontal charting device sold to dental offices, hygiene programs and dental schools, the questions that come in cover a wide range. The most common reasons to get in touch are:
- Demos: Offices interested in trying a unit can arrange a free demo of the Dental R.A.T. foot mouse.
- Software compatibility: Confirming that the device works with your practice management or periodontal charting program.
- Installation and audio feedback help: Support with the downloads, the user manual and the spoken-number feature.
- Training tips: Individualized advice for making periodontal charting even faster.
- Media requests: Information for articles or broadcast stories.
- School clinics: Outfitting hygiene and dental school clinics with hands free charting.
- Related products: Boomer the Foot Mouse and the Blue Boa hands free suction adapter.
Requesting a Free Demo
A demo is the most direct way to see how a foot mouse fits your operatory. The device behaves as a standard mouse, with a toe button that moves the cursor, a heel button that works as the left click, and four input buttons for entering charting numbers 1-8 and the right click. Seeing it in your own operatory shows how that layout maps to your software. Clinicians who have used the device report that about 30 minutes of playing with the buttons and the cursor is enough to get comfortable, and speed improves with each use.
Technical Support for Downloads and Audio Feedback
The Dental R.A.T. itself needs no software. It plugs into a USB port and your computer recognizes it as a mouse. The optional audio feedback software is what repeats each charting number aloud through speakers or a headset. It is available for Mac and Windows 10, in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions, and the Downloads page lists MD5 values so you can verify file integrity.
If a file will not download, the installer will not run or the spoken numbers are not behaving as expected, contact the company by phone or email. A few details make troubleshooting faster:
- Your operating system: Mac, or Windows 10 as 32-bit or 64-bit. The file you need depends on this.
- Whether an older version is installed: The Windows instructions call for removing the old Dental R.A.T. software through Add/Remove Programs before installing a new version.
- Which version of the device you own: The original metal foot mouse or the Dental R.A.T. 2.0, which is smaller, made of hard plastic, wireless or wired, and has adjustable mouse speed.
- Your charting software: Dentrix, Eaglesoft, Open Dental, PerioExec or another program.
- What happens on screen: For example, whether the USB icon appears in the lower right corner on Windows after you run the program.
Software Questions and Training Videos
The Dental R.A.T. has been tested with major dental software, including Dentrix, Eaglesoft, PracticeWorks, Softdent, PerioExec, Open Dental, MacPractice and the Florida Probe software. The instructional video library covers the most commonly requested brands. If your program does not have its own video, that does not mean it is unsupported. The company states that the Dental R.A.T. runs all practice management software, and it will consider a request for a video on your favorite program. Because the device works like a hand mouse, any function you can perform with a hand mouse, such as capturing an intraoral camera image, opening X-rays or checking the schedule, can be performed with the foot.
Media Inquiries
Journalists, bloggers and industry writers covering dental technology can call toll-free at 877-278-0061 or 208-489-1590. The Media Center offers a product brochure, high-resolution images of the Dental R.A.T. 2.0 and its logo, and links to articles from publications such as RDH Magazine and Modern Hygienist. A call is the quickest way to get details for a feature or broadcast segment.
Dental Schools and Hygiene Programs
The company says its goal is to help every hygiene and dental school bring its perio charting technology up to date, so students gain experience with the computer workflow they will face in practice. Instructors and administrators who want to equip a clinic can start that conversation by phone or email during business hours.
Other Hands Free Products
Boomer the Foot Mouse is a wireless foot mouse without the number buttons, intended for doctors' operatories. It connects by Bluetooth, runs on PC, Mac or tablet, and needs no software download. The Blue Boa high volume suction adapter provides hands free suctioning for saliva and water control during ultrasonic scaling and for isolation during sealant placement. Each has its own website, and you can also ask about either one when you call.