Meanwhile, at the University of Maryland Dental School, Dr Doug Barnes, who heads the advanced education and general dentistry program, believes the most significant new technology is equipment that allows dental X-rays to be displayed quickly through the computer.

The amount of radiation that the patient is subjected to is reduced by at least half. These digital X-rays can also be shared with other dental practices and insurance companies by modem.

Many patients are apparently stunned to view their dental decay on the computer monitor.