What is a client?
A client is a seeker of service that has been evaluated by a dentist and advised of the need for dental procedures.
I am a client. How do I get started?
You will need the following items to register and post an auction:
- Cell phone photos of your current x-rays or digital originals emailed to you.
- A copy of your treatment plan complete with services needed, tooth numbers and fees.
Ortho services require cell phone photos of your teeth, smile, and facial profile.
How do I know what x-rays/ photos I need?
Requirements are specific for the service(s) selected.
Register as a client on the ShopADoc® site (no fee to register / no obligation to participate).
Select a service. You’ll be prompted to upload x-rays & photos. Examples are provided as a reference.
What type of dental x-rays may be required?
Panorex- the 6”x12” x-ray taken while your standing that circles around your head.
Periapical- small film taken of individual tooth.
Bitewings- small films taken to evaluate bone levels and activity between teeth.
Full Mouth Series- complete set of periapicals and bitewings.
How do I acquire my x-rays & treatment plan?
Photocopies and faxes of your x-rays lack the detail and contrast necessary to be diagnostic.
You must request digital original x- rays be emailed to you, obtain original dental films, or photograph your x-rays while at your dentist office.
In accordance with federal law, specifically, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), you are legally entitled to your x-rays.
Should you encounter resistance, your State Dept. of Health is available to assist you.
Disclaimer: The following content is for educational purposes only. It is not meant to be a U.S. Government Agency endorsement of the ShopADoc site.
Which of the following three scenarios best describes you?
Suggestions follow each scenario.
1) You’re at your dentist appointment and discover you are in need of dental services:
While in the dental chair, use your cell phone to take photos of your dental x-rays.
Paper films will be posted on a viewbox beside you. Digital x-rays will be displayed on a computer screen/ monitor. Request a copy of your treatment plan.
2) You’ve recently (within 30 days) visited your dentist and are in need of dental services:
Contact the dental office and ask that your x-rays be emailed to you. If paper films, return to the office and take photos of your labeled films while they are posted on a viewbox. You will presumably have in your possession a copy of your treatment plan with fee estimate; if not, request this as well.
3) You know you need a dental procedure, but it’s been a while since you’ve seen a dentist:
Visit a dentist and have an exam, x-rays, and treatment plan generated. Take cell phone photos of your x-rays while at the office or request the office email them to you. Corporate operated dental offices customarily offer free exams and x-rays to attract new clients.
I have the original film x-rays, how best to photograph them with my cell phone?
The best way to acquire your x-rays is to request the dental office email them to you. Alternatives would include returning to the office and asking staff to assist you with capturing the photos with your cell phone. Although we do not recommend, it is possible to place a light source behind the film(s). Hold or tape on a window with sunlight as a source of light.
The dental office emailed me my x-rays, what next?
While on your cell phone, retrieve and open the email.
“Screenshot” the images and save them to your photo library.
Edit each screenshot to “crop” your name from view and to frame the image (both techniques are demonstrated in the “How to crop” video below).
“Screenshot” the edited images and save them to your photo library for use on the site.
While on the “Offerings” page, you’ll be prompted to “upload” a specific image (examples are provided as a reference). See the “How to upload” video provided below.
How do I crop an image to mask my name from an x-ray?
I don’t know how to read x-rays. How do I know which tooth x-ray to upload to the site?
You’ll need a detailed copy of your treatment plan on which will be listed the tooth number, the description of service, and fee.
Periapical x-rays are labeled with tooth numbers. Clarify with staff if your x-rays are not labeled.
How do I upload an image from my photo library?
How do I navigate through the ShopADoc® site?
*Once you’ve registered, selected a service, uploaded required x-rays/photos, and paid the nominal participation fee ($0.99) – your set for the auction!
The display is too large. How do I adjust to fit my mobile device?
Your device has been changed from factory setting to “Larger Text” size. Reset by following these steps:
- select “settings” on your device.
- select “accessibility”
- select “Display & Text Size”
- turn off “Larger Text”
I am a dentist seeking to grow my practice. How might ShopADoc® assist me?
Welcome!…..ShopADoc® attracts clients that have been treatment planned and seek the services of a dentist. Clients are “fee for service”. They enter info on site for you to view and make offers for desired dental services.
The format is reverse auction. “Ask Fee” is the amount the client is comfortable paying. You may bid the “Ask Fee” or a lower amount.
It’s expected that the dentist follow through with the services at the agreed upon amount; however, there is no binding agreement between client and dentist. Clinical presentation may warrant alternative or additional services.
Read on…….let ShopADoc® assist you!
I am a dentist. How do I get started?
Participation is economical and easy.
Register by completing the on-line application and making payment of the annual fee.
You’ll have access to view auctions within your service area (up to 35 miles from a client’s registered address). Your annual registration is your pass to log in to the site and follow the activity live in real time.
Auctions are held weekly Monday-Thursday. Any auction without a winner posts Friday morning for 2 hours (called Flash Bid Cycle®). An “auction cycle” runs Mon thru Fri.
An annual registration is required ($99.99). If you wish to bid on any service(s) of interest, you’ll be required to pay a nominal “per auction cycle fee” ($9.99). This payment permits you to bid on an unlimited amount of auctions within your service area throughout one auction cycle -Monday thru Friday.
Will I receive email notifications as the auction progresses?
You will need to log in to your dentist account to follow the progress of an auction. ShopADoc® will not annoy users with push notifications. We suggest and encourage participating dentists dedicate a PC workstation or laptop device within their office to monitor and engage auctions throughout the workday.
Growing your practice will be fun and exciting with ShopADoc®.
