The Concept: A Mouse You Operate With Your Foot
A full periodontal chart is data-heavy. It records probing depths at multiple sites around every tooth, along with findings such as bleeding, recession and other clinical notes. Clinicians usually collect this data with a probe in one hand and a mirror in the other, so entering it by hand means putting the instruments down or pulling in a second person to type.
The Dental R.A.T. moves computer input to the foot. Because it works as a mouse, it does what your hand mouse does in your charting software. The software only needs to receive clicks and cursor movement, which is why the device works with the programs you already use and needs no special integration.
The Controls and What Each One Does
The layout is simple, and the functions map directly onto familiar mouse behavior:
- Toe button: moves the arrow on the computer screen, just like a regular mouse.
- Four input buttons: used for entering charting numbers 1 through 8, plus right click.
- Heel button: works as the left click.
- Audio feedback: repeats each number through computer speakers or a headset as it is entered.
This layout lets you navigate, select and enter data without taking a hand off the patient.
Most clinicians already use their feet for other operatory controls, so a toe or heel tap feels natural. The cursor control takes the most practice, but the learning curve is short.
Audio Feedback: Confirming Every Number
The audio feedback makes your charting software speak. As each number is entered, the computer says it aloud. This helps in two ways:
- Accuracy: you hear the value confirmed immediately, so you can catch a mistaken entry without looking away from the mouth to check the screen.
- Patient education: the patient hears their own readings as you chart, which supports conversations about periodontal health and can support hygiene production.
A headset that plugs into the computer keeps the numbers private. If you do not want audio, turn the computer speakers down or off. The audio feedback software is available on the Downloads page for Mac and for Windows 10 in 32-bit and 64-bit versions. On Windows, an icon appears in the lower right corner of the screen, and you right-click it to enable or disable sound.
Wired or Wireless: The Dental R.A.T. 2.0
The Dental R.A.T. 2.0 can operate wirelessly over radio frequency, or you can plug in a USB cord. It is smaller than the original and made of hard plastic. Its buttons are easier to press, and the mouse speed is adjustable. It has a plug for a private headset, and the numbers can also be played through the computer itself.
The original foot mouse is metal and very sturdy. It has a USB cord and a headset plug so the patient or hygienist can hear the numbers privately or connect speakers.
Adjusting Cursor Speed
The cursor has 1,000 speed settings, so you can tune it as your technique improves:
- 01To speed it up, hold buttons #1 and #2 down together while moving the mouse joystick up, away from you.
- 02To slow it down, hold #1 and #2 together while moving the joystick down, toward you.
- 03The speed changes with how long you hold the joystick, so bump it briefly at first to see the effect.
Compatible Software and Everyday Use
The Dental R.A.T. runs your current software, including Dentrix, EagleSoft, PracticeWorks, Softdent, PerioExec, Open Dental and MacPractice. It has also been tested with Florida Probe software. It works with other packages such as Daisy Dental, Alta, Genesis, Dentech, Maxim, Panda Perio and XL Dent. Because it acts as a mouse, you can also open, close and zoom in on digital X-rays and photographs, run an intraoral camera and check the schedule.
To enter bleeding, recession and similar findings, park the cursor on the right spot and tap your heel. Where a program has an on-screen keyboard, move the cursor to the number you want and heel click.
Infection Control and Workflow Benefits
Every time a gloved hand touches a keyboard or mouse, that surface becomes a potential vector for cross-contamination, and the clinician must de-glove and re-glove to continue safely. Moving input to the foot keeps the chain of asepsis intact and keeps the clinician's attention on the patient. The device lets a hygienist run the operatory software without an assistant, so the assistant can be used elsewhere in the practice. Charting takes about the same time as it does with an assistant, without needing a second person in the room.
Learning to Use It
Plan on about 30 minutes to play with the buttons and the cursor. Speed comes quickly after that, and the instructional videos demonstrate each step. A free demo is available: call 877-278-0061, Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm, to arrange one.
Choosing the Dental R.A.T. for Your Operatory
- It is a hands-free solution without expensive software or hardware upgrades.
- It can save tens of thousands of dollars over its lifetime.
- It gives you hands-free access to intraoral cameras and digital X-rays, in addition to periodontal charts.
- It lets you be up and running with minimal technical skills.
- It gives patients privacy without sacrificing input accuracy.
If you want a foot mouse without the numbers, see Boomer the foot mouse, a separate product from the same family of hands-free tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to install software to use the Dental R.A.T.?
No additional software is needed for the device itself. Plug it into a USB port and it works with your charting software. The optional audio feedback program is a separate download for Mac and Windows 10 and is only needed if you want the numbers spoken aloud.
Is the Dental R.A.T. wireless?
The Dental R.A.T. 2.0 can operate wirelessly over radio frequency, or you can plug in a USB cord. The original model uses a USB cord.
Can the Dental R.A.T. be used for more than perio charting?
Yes. Because it is a foot-operated mouse, it performs the same functions as your hand mouse. You can open X-rays, run the intraoral camera, check the schedule and move through your practice management software. It is meant for anyone who needs computer access, and general offices use it as well as periodontal offices.
How long does it take to learn the Dental R.A.T.?
The learning curve is short. About 30 minutes of practice with the buttons and cursor is usually enough to get comfortable, and you get faster each time you use it. The cursor is typically the hardest part to learn.
Which charting numbers can I enter with the foot buttons?
The four input buttons are used to enter charting numbers 1 through 8 and also serve as the right click. The toe button moves the cursor and the heel button is the left click, so you can select fields and enter values without touching the keyboard.
What is the difference between the original Dental R.A.T. and the 2.0?
The original is metal, very sturdy, and connects by USB cord with a headset plug. The 2.0 is much smaller and made of hard plastic. Its buttons are easier to push, its mouse speed is adjustable, and it can run wirelessly over radio frequency or by USB cord. Both support private listening through a headset.
Does the Dental R.A.T. work with Mac computers?
Yes. It acts as a standard mouse, and MacPractice is among the software it runs. A Mac version of the audio feedback program is also available on the Downloads page. After downloading, unzip it and drag it to your desktop. To start it automatically at login, right-click its dock icon and choose "options," then "open at login."
How do I turn the spoken numbers on or off?
On Windows, right-click the USB icon in the lower right corner of the screen and select enable or disable. On a Mac, right-click the dock icon and choose "quit," or simply turn the volume down. Turning off the computer speakers also silences the feedback.
Can I capture intraoral camera images with the Dental R.A.T.?
Yes. Any camera you can run with your hand mouse can be run with the Dental R.A.T. If your camera captures a picture with a left mouse click, a heel click on the Dental R.A.T. captures it. If your other operatory foot pedals can be activated by a regular hand mouse, the Dental R.A.T. can handle those functions too.
Does a headset come with the Dental R.A.T.?
Per the company's FAQ, a headset is included that plugs into your computer speakers so the numbers stay private. The 2.0 also has a plug for a private headset while you enter numbers with your foot. If you prefer not to use audio, the computer speakers can be turned off.