Categories
programming

Google Firebase

I am developing a Vue.js application on Google Firebase. Firebase provides hosting, cloud functions, database, file storage, and an authentication module. My source code is on BitBucket and CI/CD is accomplished with BitBucket Pipelines and Bash scripts.

https://firebase.google.com/

I give Google Firebase “5 stars” for documentation and video tutorials. The authentication module makes getting started with users a snap.

The “NoSQL” database, Firestore, is also a breeze to get started with. So far, I’ve been using it directly, but I can see the need for a RESTful layer in between it and the client code. Firestore and it’s ilk (Redis, MongoDB) have their advantages, but providing a structured interface for multiple clients will reduce headaches down the road. It also decouples the client from the actual database technology. This seems to be a common pattern. I’ve used it in C++, Ruby, and JavaScript.

Firebase Cloud Functions gives a way to provide highly scalable endpoints. I haven’t explored Cloud Functions (AWS Lambda) too much. Conceptually, I view them as an Express.js application without the Express.js Firebase does offer triggers to database events, which feels like a stored procedure to me. I’m using them, but cautiously. It certainly helps to move business logic out of the clients.

Firebase provides hosting as well, accessed using their firebase-tools Node package. With my source in BitBucket, I’ve added BitBucket Pipelines. BP is typical of CI/CD services (Travis, Circle, Azure DevOps) with a YAML file to describe each pipeline.

How much will this thing cost? At the moment, $25/month for the Blaze plan on one Firebase project. It appears typical to use one project per stage.

I’d like to end this post with a link to the project, but we are  not ready to launch yet. Stay tuned!

Categories
orthodontics

LightForce Orthodontics

LightForce™ Orthodontics is coming out of stealth mode.  They will be making waves at the American Academy of Orthodontics’ 2019 Annual Session. LightForce™ is the first true patient-specific orthodontic bracket made possible with recent advancements in 3D printing. Digital treatment planning plays a role too!  The key to shortened chair & treatment times will be the reduction in wire bending done by the orthodontist [1].

I am a bit amazed at the current state of orthodontic affairs.  Bending wires to move teeth in a multi-variable environment seems a little bit like trying to hit a fastball with a golf club. It works but it’s inefficient. In the future, patient-specific brackets, digital treatment plans, and indirect bonding trays will be the only way braces are prescribed. LightForce Orthodontics is doing it first.

Check out their website for additional information and further news. Congrats and good luck to the LightForce team!

https://lightforceortho.com/

What other specialties could use a 21st century update? Tell me about it in the comments!

  1. Effectiveness of Insignia™ Versus Standard Orthodontic Treatment with Damon Q Brackets. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01268852
Categories
dentistry

Evidence Based Dentistry

The Atlantic’s May 2019 issue includes an article by Ferris Jabr entitled “The Truth About Dentistry“. It highlights the dearth of evidence-based studies and strong procedural controls in the profession. The author claims that the prevalence of private practices is one reason for this. I think some specialties are more rigorous then others, but I agree with the author’s thesis. It may be that a benefit of so-called Dental Service Organizations is to enforce compliance with best practices.  Technological advances might help too!

The article details the malpractice of one dentist, prone to over-treating patients as well as billing for “phantom” treatments.  There will always be bad apples, but I would agree that for some practices, the economics of the dental office drives procedure choice rather than the patient’s best interests.

Patients are also consumers.  Especially in dentistry, where paying out-of-pocket is common, these consumers — especially younger ones — will be choosing less-invasive and less-costly procedures. What tools do dentists need to improve patient outcomes and maintain a healthy practice? Tell me about it in the comments!

Categories
marketresearch

Clear Aligners

Everyone’s heard of Invisalign(r) and SmileDirectClub(tm) by now.  That I can list both of these clear aligner manufacturers in the same sentence is amazing by itself.  Invisalign created this product category almost 20 years ago. SmileDirectClub has brought the idea of #teledentistry to the market.

SmileDirectClub may have led the charge, but now they have a few imitators:

There are other product categories moving in this direction too. I’ve seen direct-to-consumer custom night guards from Cheeky(r) and at-home veneers from TruSmile Veneers.

Any other surprising direct-to-consumer dental products out there? Tell me about it in the comments.

 

 

 

Categories
custom-night-guard

Sleeping Girl Domenico Fetti

10% of the population has sleep bruxism. Many find relief with a custom night guard. Get your own custom night guard for $130.

Sleeping Girl Domenicao Fetti
“Sleeping Girl” Domenico Fetti (c. 1589 – 1623)
Categories
marketing

Marketing Collateral

Linked below is the handout I made for the Yankee Dental Congress. It uses the Metatooth logo (source code) and is split between my twin aims. I’ve been working on both of them. Nothing I can hang my hat on as yet, but progress on each.

I first submitted an online order to Staples(r) for 25 copies. There was some communication problem, so I re-order at Store #0217. Feeling confident, I upped it to 50 copies (100 handouts). I think I managed to pass out 5 at the event itself. Two months later, just under half remain.

Thanks for reading. Tell me about your market optimism in the comments!

20190124-Yankee-Handout

Categories
coding

JavaScript

It’s a bit ironic that I spend so much time with JavaScript right now. My first programming gig was with JavaScript. It was the spring of 2000. I was placed by an agency at an office near Alewife. I walked to Central, took the T to Harvard, got off, bought the “Rhino” book at the Harvard Book Store, got back on, and read the book until Alewife. I walked into the office and started coding. The company published training materials. A colleague (worker?) in the office said about 11am, “Hey, you need to take your eyes off the screen every now and then!”.

It was a bit of a disaster but I delivered the software they needed. I even partook of a company-provided yoga class. I ran into the co-worker a few years hence, and he claimed they still used the software I developed!

Your code is not temporary. Tell me about it in the comments.

Categories
marketresearch

Custom night guard survey results

Custom night guard survey results are in! The survey ran from Feb 15 – Mar 15, 2019. Sign up to the e-mail list to learn more about this survey.

Custom night guard survey results.
What could be improved about your custom night guard?

Are you a night guard user? Order your impression kit for a custom night guard today.

1. How often do you replace your night guard?
Never63%
Every couple years19%
Once a year19%
2. Where did you go for a new one?
My dentist75%
Drugstore/pharmacy13%
Online shop13%
3. What did you enjoy about it?
The fit71%
The price36%
The fitting process14%
4. What could be improved?
Better fit31%
The price69%
Convenient fitting process31%
Easier to replace38%
5. How much did you pay for your night guard?
< $10031%
$100-$2006%
> $20063%
The take away

User needs an at-home impression kit. Availability of a replacement night guard on short-notice is appreciated. There are few options in the $100-$200 price range.

Thanks for checking out the custom night guard survey results. Did you come to a different conclusion? Tell me about it in the comments.

Categories
product

Night guard market research

Bumping up this topic on night guard market research.  The survey is still open.  Are you a night guard user?  Please spare a few moments to answer the questions about your experience.

A funny thing happened as I worked on SEO last week.  I found a direct-to-consumer night guard that is using up-to-the-moment marketing practices.  It’s called Cheeky and it has a strong website and Instagram presence. The technology stack includes Shopify & the branding is just great.

Cheeky Website

It’s a subscription model, which has market traction.  How do I know this? I’ve done night guard market research. Take the survey! Results will be posted March 15th.

Categories
review

Smile Direct Club has a 3D Plan

My “Smile Transformation” 3D plan from Smile Direct Club is here! The e-mail arrived within 24 hours after I left their office.  Clicking through brought me to a 3D rendering of my current and planned tooth positions.  Very simple interface and looks slick.

All in JavaScript!

Ortho seems to be leading the way with the use of web technologies. Practice Management Software has been shifting to hosted services for some time (also known as, Software-as-a-Service). All other specialties are mired in the desktop. Do you agree?  Please share your thoughts in the comments.