The Periapex - Latest Comments

Re: I Cannot Recommend Abeldent.

Peri Apex — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 17:09:53 -0000

We just upgraded to the SQL version because of random database errors that Abel attributed to the unreliability of the old database system.

So far I have found an increase in lookup speed and we haven't had any weirdness happening with patient's appointments or straight up DB corruption errors. It's still a bit earlier on but I'd say to trust Abel on this if this is a problem you've been experiencing.

The other stuff -- buggy stuff that has nothing to do with the database -- usually has to do with user interface problems probably won't be different between SQL and non-SQL versions. Every release of Abel seems to improve something and break something else. We currently have a list of bugs that we submitted based on our current version of Abel 12.8. We've been able to reproduce them either by walking Abel support through them or by having Abel remote log in and seeing them for themselves.

As far as I know, they have credited us the time spent investigating bugs. They didn't credit us time spent fixing our old database every time it blew a gasket. Nor did they credit us for problems that developed in Abel itself because of the corrupt database.

Re: I Cannot Recommend Abeldent.

M Wilkens — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 12:43:38 -0000

Funny, I came across your site googling on behalf of a dental surgeon friend whose practice is an Abeldent-using practice and was having buggy issues with the software, was told to upgrade, then was told to upgrade to the SQL database version at a significant cost, and still experiences many of the same bugs as before. He believes he's also paid for support incidences in regards to those bugs and from our point of view they're definitely programming bugs as in some instances the patient fields display the wrong information from other patients, the same issue he'd experienced between versions and between SQL and non-SQL versions. Despite upgrading to a full blown database server, upgrading all PCs and upgrading the software itself, bugs still exist and in googling I've found other practices that have the exact same problem and apparently Abeldent suggests to all of these people that they've never heard of the problem.

Re: I Cannot Recommend Abeldent.

ts — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 16:33:17 -0000

THANKS for this site, very good comments.
We use abel in a standalone station in the front for 11 years. I am now switching to my 3rd hardware set. We have been pleased with the reliability. The attitude at customer service seems to be friendlier in the last 4 years. I didn't like being forced into updates when we were already having to pay separately for support (not cheap). But I suppose there is some value to me in having the company alive for the future (in paying these fees). I would love to cancel updates and enter my own fee guide -- I don't know if this is easy? Also, a great feature they are missing is the ability to export production data to excel or whatever program. There is a lot of valuable data buried in the computer that cannot be automatically used to evaluate productivity.

Re: Playing Chicken with Root Canals.

Eugene Espiritu — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 13:56:24 -0000

for me the feeling of comfort and safety is what I am seeking when choosing the endodontist that will handle my teeth.

Re: I Cannot Recommend Abeldent.

Peri Apex — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 17:29:49 -0000

Much better. We found some bugs that seem more related to the way a specialty practice runs but Abel has been able to identify most of them. Things are definitely better than when I posted this post

Now if only Abel would stop spamming me with emails about their online services.

Re: I Cannot Recommend Abeldent.

Dent floss — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 08:09:08 -0000

How are your newer updates though? Such as Abel 11.

Re: I Cannot Recommend Abeldent.

Peri Apex — Fri, 25 May 2012 15:01:33 -0000

No, I haven't had the opportunity to try it. At least not recently. I've had limited experience with Exan's educational version and I think I might have seen a really old version running from a command line interface.

Re: I Cannot Recommend Abeldent.

K2 — Fri, 25 May 2012 14:12:51 -0000

did you try PowerPractice?

Re: What Is It With Posts?

Peri Apex — Wed, 16 May 2012 06:08:52 -0000

Hey, you're right. Didn't even notice. I'm definitely no blogging star but it did feel good to breath some life back into this beast.

Re: What Is It With Posts?

Rudy Amid — Tue, 15 May 2012 18:21:56 -0000

Whoa, you can't wait another 2 months so it'll be 1 year since your last post? ;-)

Welcome back to the blog life. Facebook killed the blog stars.

Re: I Cannot Recommend Abeldent.

Peri Apex — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 12:52:49 -0000

Good question. I haven't seen anything recently but haven't really looked either.

You might find some info over at DentalTown (http://www.towniecentral.co....

Re: I Cannot Recommend Abeldent.

Rbrierley — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 22:55:16 -0000

Have you heard any reviews currently which compare Abeldent and Dentrix? Is there really a front-runner?

Re: I Cannot Recommend Abeldent.

Peri Apex — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 16:09:30 -0000

Glad to be of help.

Re: I Cannot Recommend Abeldent.

Aaronagopian33 — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 14:45:47 -0000

That's very informative. Thanks for your honest opinion. Very useful info.

Re: Conversation With an Orthodontist.

Peri Apex — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 18:40:19 -0000

Thanks for the comment.

Assignment of blame is a huge problem with our modern society. I think it mostly stems from medicolegal issues. Whatever the reasons (ego, medicolegal, marketing, cognitive dissonance, psychological displacement) much too much time these days is spent trying to decide who is at fault than trying to decide how to improve the situation.

Things happen and sometimes it's a human error, sometimes it's not. In the end, however, it would be nice if we would not succumb to our human nature of greed and selfishness, and instead try to remember that there's a patient who actually needs our help at the other end of all of this.

The other side to your story is the patient that comes to see us and then gets angry at us when we tell them how many cavities they have...The blame game goes the other way too.

Re: Conversation With an Orthodontist.

Billions — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 23:08:24 -0000

Thanks for posting. I have to have a tooth removed because of internal reabsorption, and I just wanted to make a comment about "assigning blame." I find it really interesting that the ortho doesn't want to be blamed, but I was blamed by my dentist for not brushing well enough (I don't know how, I brush twice daily + floss weekly) but the endodontist told me it was more likely because of braces. Why is it alright to blame the patient and make them feel self conscious but not blame the orthodontist? Not that blaming does anything, but putting it all on the patient isn't fair either.

Re: I Cannot Recommend Abeldent.

Peri Apex — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 08:23:58 -0000

Hi Jess, those many issues in short periods of time do sound like they are from network or hardware issues. I doubt upgrading to the SQL version of Abel will make a difference to your downtime. The SQL version does have a more robust database though, so any crashes that your system experiences are less likely to result in data loss.

I'm curious about your set up. Do you have an IT person that you hire? If not we can try to walk through your system via email and see if something obvious comes to my mind. Email me if you're interested.

Re: I Cannot Recommend Abeldent.

Jess — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 22:49:01 -0000

I found your post very interesting. I've been using Able for almost 4 years. About 6 months in we began having issues with it, program would stop working, freeze, lose notes. This has continued, and progressed to the point where every month or so it's crashing. We've had it down 3 times in the last 2 weeks alone. Support is usually able to get it running, but as you can imagine it is quite a disruption. I've been told continuously that it's a "network issue" which seems to be "able speak" for "we don't know what the heck is wrong." We've had the network checked multiple times and nothing
is ever found.
Now they're telling me to upgrade to a SLQ platform. I'm hesitant to go ahead and try that since none of their other suggestions have worked. I'm about ready to cut my losses and look at a new system, so I would appreciate any recommendations anyone has for a solo general dentistry office.

Re: I Cannot Recommend Abeldent.

Peri Apex — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 11:01:58 -0000

Just got around to updating the post with my latest experience.

I see pluses and minuses with operating my software from the cloud. I'm not sure how things would get handled if the internet goes down. As it is, iTrans has had server issues a couple of times in a few months and that's a stressor for patients and my staff when claims won't go through.

We'll see where things go into the future...

Re: Six Canals in a Lower Molar?

John Moran — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 12:21:46 -0000

Awesome and extreme photography. keep up the Good work and keep posting the progress.
Michigan Dentist

Re: I Cannot Recommend Abeldent.

Gilldental — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 22:07:11 -0000

Abeldent has been excellent for me. I have had the same server for 6 years and upgrade every year. The speed had decreased when upgrading to version 6 or 7(don't remember the exact version) - ever since then the speed had increased. Looking forward to installing version 10. About time for a new server too. My only issue with Abel is the lack of support on the cloud. Online dental software is the next big thing.

Re: Volunteerism.

Cosmetic Dentist Chicago — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:33:47 -0000

What a great cause! If only more people would volunteer to help the less fortunate

Re: I Cannot Recommend Abeldent.

Peri Apex — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 13:58:27 -0000

Looks like another vote for Dentrix, which is for sure a very capable system. Thanks for the input, Ninja Doc :-)

Re: I Cannot Recommend Abeldent.

Dr. Tal Lewinger — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 00:40:30 -0000

I like Dentrix.
Keep them in mind. Good phone support for the staff.

Cheers,

Dr. Tal Lewinger [AKA the Ni-Ti Ninja :-)]

Re: I Cannot Recommend Abeldent.

Peri Apex — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 10:54:42 -0000

LiveDDM, EagleSoft, Dentrix.