The purpose of DDS GP is to assist you, the dental professional, in presenting diagnoses and treatment plans to your patients. As your patients gain understanding of the importance of the treatment recommended, case acceptance levels can increase.

In nearly thirty years as a private practice general dentist, I have repeatedly noticed that the degree of case acceptance and amount of word-of-mouth referrals is directly proportional to time I (and my staff, but mostly I) spend conversing with the patient. In the past, my staff would show patients a commercially produced video clip of what they needed and then ask "are you ready to make your appointment?" When I changed to direct conversation instead, the answer to that question was much more often, "Yes."

To facilitate this interaction with your patients, I created DDS GP. With its size, portability, and excellent battery life, the iPad facilitates the conversation we should be having by bringing us closer to the patient as opposed to looking at a video "over there." This is why there is no audio component to the demonstrations… YOU are the audio!

DDS GP is presented as a series of drawings. Much thought was given to this interface type, and demonstrations that portray dental problems and solutions without being scary were most effective. So you need not worry about scaring your patient by showing blood, needles, or drills.

Just below the main demonstration area of each screen is a bar with a round handle called the “slider”. Use the slider (or the arrows at each end to move single steps) to portray severity of a condition or steps in a treatment.

We hope you enjoy using DDS GP.

Robert Marcus, D.M.D.
Poway, CA

Tap the Settings button (gear icon) to begin initial set up.

Enter your practice name, which will always be visible in the top left half of the title bar. The top right half of the title bar will show the module that is currently being demonstrated.

If you plan to send treatment plans to your patients, tap the Edit Plan Letter settings item to change the plan cover sheet to your liking. Each section of the cover letter may be changed by tapping the circled pencil icon and changing the corresponding area to your preferences.

You may use the Contact Support item if you have any questions about installation or usage of the app. We encourage you to thoroughly read these instructions and also the FAQs below the instructions before contacting us. That said, we are always happy to hear from you!

If you are having trouble falling asleep at night, tap the Legal Information button and read over all of the important policies.

The FDI numbering function selects between the ADA system (commonly in use in the United States) and the international numbering system. When FDI numbering is turned off, which is default, ADA numbering will be displayed.

The "Force English" menu item, when set to on, will display the app in English as opposed to the language set on the iPad itself. Turn this off to use the language set on the iPad, if available. If your preferred language is not available, please contact us. Currenlty, the app is available in English, Catalan, Danish, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, Dutch, Portuguese, Chinese (simplified) and Chinese (traditional).

The main window of the DDS GP consists of the menu area on the left (which can be hidden or revealed using the panel icon at the very upper left corner) and the "module" area on the right. In the left menu area are four view options: Categories, Library, Favorites and Plan. These are used to choose which demonstration will be shown in the main window of the app. The usage of each of these options is discussed later in these instructions. The illustration currently being viewed is shown on the right portion of the topmost header bar.

Just above the main window area is the main toolbar. Its functions are discussed elsewhere in these instructions (under the headings Initial Setup, Patient Name, Tooth/Area,, Markup Tools, Favorites, Plan, and Snapshots Buttons).

At the bottom of the module is the Slider. Use the slider at whatever speed you choose to scroll through images to facilitate your conversation with the patient. You may also also use the arrows at each end to move single steps. As you move the slider, the image will portray the severity of a condition (healthy to pathology) or steps in a treatment. You may also press the green play button at the right hand edge of the slider to activate an auto play function.

Use the up/down icon on the slider to move it to the top or bottom of the moduoe area. It is useful to move the slider to the top of the screen when presenting to a patient across the table so your hand does not block the main area while presenting.

The markup tools are used when drawing with your finger over an illustration. You may select your desired pen color by tapping the round color selector button. tapping the pen icon will activate a menu where you may choose the highlighter (which defaults to yellow but may be changed). You may also undo do you remove the most recent markup. You may tap undo multiple times to additionally remove prior markup. If you wish you delete your entire drawing, tap the X. To add your drawing to the Snapshots area of the app, that the shutter button.

DDS GP will rotate from landscape to portrait mode based on the orientation of your iPad. If you wish to lock one of those modes (we recommend landscape), you may do so in Settings.

Our award-winning support team is happy to help you. You may submit a support request using the link below or contact us at 858–722–8611. We look forward to talking to you!

The main toolbar sits directly below the title bar and contains all of the tools you will use during your consultations. It remains visible at all times while using the app, unless it is partially covered by the Snapshots window, which has its own dedicated toolbar. In the sections below, each icon on the toolbar is explained in detail.

Patient Name Box: Tap the Patient Name area. A pop-up keyboard will automatically appear. Enter the patient’s name. The patient’s name will appear on plan printouts or the PDF file that is automatically created when you send the plan. Be sure to have the Patient Name entered before adding an item to the plan.

Tooth/Area Box: Tap Tooth/Area. A menu will appear. Navigate through the menu to select the appropriate tooth or area for the plan you are making. The tooth/area name will appear on plan printouts or the PDF file that is automatically created when you send the plan. Be sure to have the correct Tooth/Area selected before adding an item to the plan.

The drawing function in DDS GP is very powerful. You should imagine you have a transparency over the demonstration and you are drawing on it.

Use the Color Picker to choose your pencil or highlighter color color. Once chosen, use your finger like a pencil to draw anything you wish over the demonstration.

Tap the Pencil icon to select and use the Highlighter tool, which will automatically choose yellow color but can be changed if you wish. Just like a real highlighter, this will draw a partially transparent, thicker line over the area selected with your finger. Or you may choose to use the eraser tool to erase part of your drawing.

The backward arrow button is a "undo" button. Each time you tap this button it will undo the most recent drawing item you created. Try it for yourself by drawing four or five different areas and then clicking the undo button several times.

The trash button will permanently delete all the drawings that you have done. Be careful here, this may not be undone.

The add to snapshots button (a camera inside a border) is a very useful tool. Tap this button at any time during your drawing to add a copy of the demonstration picture itself with all of your drawings to the Snapshots area of the app. This functionality is similar to taking a screenshot. If you have made a particularly excellent drawing that you would like to use again at a later date, this is the best way to save it. Using the Snapshots function of the app is discussed elsewhere in this help.

Favorites: If there is a module that you want to save to favorites, simply tap the heart button while it is displayed. Then, it will appear in the Favorites list of the main menu. You may edit that list to re-organize or remove anything from it. The heart will also be filled in red when a Favorites module is shown.

Clipboard: The clipboard icon with a small plus on it is used to add the current module to your treatment plan. Before adding items to the treatment plan list, it is best (although not required) to enter the Patient Name and Tooth/Area. To add a demonstration to the Plan list, first view that demonstration in the main window by selecting it from the Library, Categories, or Favorites. Then tap the clipboard on the toolbar. The active demonstration is immediately added to the treatment plan list. A small pop-up window will confirm this.

For modules that show progression of disease, mostly found in the diagnosis folder, the image added to the treatment plan will be the image shown when you tap the plan button. In other words, slide the slider to the best image for the patient's treatment plan and then press the clipboard button. If, on the other hand, the module shown is indicating steps in a treatment, a representative sample of four images will automatically be added to the treatment plan when you press a clipboard button. It is therefore not necessary to position the slider for these types of modules.

Snapshots: You can access the Snapshots screen for photos that further describe each demonstration by tapping the filmstrip button on the toolbar.

The Snapshots functionality is a very powerful aspect of this app. This is where you can really customize the app to fit your practice. You should consider the photos to be a subset of the current demonstration being viewed. In other words, if you are viewing the gold crown demonstration the photos that are available by tapping the camera icon are those that are related to a gold crown.

In some demonstrations we have put "stock" pictures to get you started. You may add as many photos as you would like to the photos area of each demonstration. Use the thumbnails at the bottom of the snapshots window to scroll through the available images. When you tap any image, it will appear in the main area of the photos window.

At any time, you may capture your own image by using the camera button on the toolbar. This is particularly useful for intraoral images and x-rays. Simply point your iPad at the computer monitor or television where the image is displayed, and take a picture of it. Now, that image will be in the app for easier demonstration to your patient.

You can use the drawing tools in the snapshots window a way similar to drawing on the main demonstration page, which is discussed in detail undet the heading Toolbar: Markup Tools.

Also note there is an clipboard button in the toolbar of the Snapshots window. Tapping this button while viewing a photo will cause that photo to become "check-marked" for the treatment plan. The clipboard will turn green and a clipboard icon will appear on the selected photo. Snapshots with the green clipboard icon will be added on the treatment plan to provide additional information to the patient. Up to four photos may be used for this purpose.

Tap the Sidebar button in the very upper left to show or collapse the Main Menu. When the menu is collapsed, the module being viewed will slide over to give you more room to demonstrate and make notes to the left and right of the main illustration. It is also advisable to collapse the menu while demonstrating to a patient to reduce the amount of distractions on the screen.

Tap the Categories button to show a list of categories (folders) into which all demonstrations are sorted. These categories are based loosely on the ADA (American Dental Association) code sequence in common use in the U.S. Some demonstrations appear in more than one category when necessary. For example, bone graft appears under both Periodontics and Oral Surgery.

Tap any category name to see a list of demonstrations and/or subcategories. Each list may include subfolders (indicated by a folder icon) or demonstrations themselves (indicated by a module thumbnail). Tap on the demonstration title to view it on the main screen.

The top of the list is a button to expand or collapse all of the folders. It's a good idea to expand them when you initially get the app so you can familiarize yourself with what is available in each folder..

A special folder at the very bottom of the list is entitled "My Demos." This advanced function is discussed elsewhere in these instructions.

Tap the Library button to show all of the demonstrations in alphabetical order. From here, you can scroll through the list to find the desired demonstration. Each item in the list is designated by its title and, below it, the category (folder) to which it belongs shown in italics.

The search bar at the top of the list is a quick way to find a demonstration you are seeking. Tap anywhere in the search bar, then enter your search term on the keyboard. Once the desired demonstration is shown on the list, tap on its title to directly access it. The keyboard window will automatically close. If you wish to close the keyboard manually, tap the keyboard close button at the lower right corner. The search function is very powerful in that it will search for any word in the demonstration title or category to which it belongs. In other words, if you type the search term "crown" in the box, all demonstrations that include the word crown will be shown, even if crown is not the first word in the title of the demonstration. It is a good idea to do a few test searches before using this directly with patients!

If you wish to make a new search and need to clear a previous search term, tap the small X in the search bar to clear the previous search. If you start searching and simply wish to view the entire list, tap the cancel button next to the search bar.

The Favorites button shows a list of demonstrations that you can define and customize. To add a demonstration to the Favorites List, first view that demonstration in the main window by selecting it using the Library or Categories view. Then tap the heart button. The active demonstration is immediately added to the Favorites list for future use. A small pop-up window will confirm this. Also, the heart icon will turn red.

You may customize the Favorites list by changing its order or by deleting unwanted items. To do so, enter edit mode while viewing the Favorites list by tapping tap the Edit button in the upper left of the list. Once in edit mode, you can change the order of items by holding and then dragging the three horizontal lines to the right of each demonstration’s name. You can delete items by tapping the red minus button, then confirming by tapping “Delete”.

The Plan button shows a list of demonstrations that comprise the treatment plan for a patient.

Before adding items to the treatment plan list, it is best (although not required) to enter the Patient Name and Tooth/Area. To add a demonstration to the Plan list, first view that demonstration in the main window by selecting it from the Library, Categories, or Favorites. Then tap the clipboard icon on the toolbar. The active demonstration is immediately added to the treatment plan list. A small pop-up window will confirm your selection.

You can electronically send a patient’s treatment plan electronically or print it on an iPad compatible printer. Keep in mind that if the demonstration being added to the plan is one that shows severity, such as Decay or Periodontal Disease, the level of severity shown on screen at the time it is added to the plan is what will be shown in the printout or e-mail. If the demonstration is one that shows treatment steps, such as a crown, four representative images will automatically be shown. Up to four Snapshots can also be added to the plan. This is discussed in the Snapshots Window section of these instructions.

Tap the pencil icon shown on each plan item to add notes to the plan that will be shown on the printout or e-mail. This is a good place to add notes about priorities, fees, or options. To reorganize or delete plan items, enter edit mode by tapping the Edit button in the upper left of the list. You can change the order of items by holding and then dragging the three horizontal lines to the right of each demonstration’s name. You can delete items by tapping the red minus button, then confirming by tapping “Delete”.

After you have added the desired demonstrations to a patient’s tratment plan, and organized them appropriately, tap the “Send” button in the upper right. You will be prompted for a patient’s signature, which will appear on the plan indicating an understanding of the plan as explained. This is important if a patient refuses treatment and you wish to establish a legal record of your conversation. If you do not wish to capture a signature, tap “Skip”.

At this point you will be offered many ways to share the treatment plan, such as email, text, printout, etc. Many users also print or send a copy to their office computer to be added to the patient’s paper or electronic chart. The cover letter for your plan is based on the letter you have modified as desired in Settings, which is discussed in the Initial Setup section of these instructions.

You may add new images to the snapshots window in one of two ways. If you wish to add an image that is already saved on your iPad photos app, tap the photos button.

If you wish to add a new photo from the camera, tap the camera button. The camera is an excellent way to quickly add a photo to DDS GP. For example, if you are currently viewing a digital x-ray or intraoral photo on your PC screen, just tap camera, then hold the iPad up to the screen and snap a picture. Then you can move over next to the patient and view the photo with the patient, using the other functions of the app. It's very impressive to include an actual x-ray from the patient on his or her treatment plan!

While viewing any photo, the drawing functions available are similar to the drawing functions available in the main window, which are discussed elsewhere in this help.

The My Demos feature is for advanced users. If you like to photograph your treatment steps, or have made your own illustrations that you think would be useful in the app, you may use this function to make your own personal demonstrations that are available to you anytime.

Access this function by tapping the 'My Demos' item at the bottom of the categories list. You will then see a list of all the demos that you have made thus far. Tap the add new button if you wish to make a new demo. After entering a name you will be presented with additional buttons on the slider. The plus button is used to add items (photos, illustrations, etc.) to the demonstration. Make sure you add item in the order you wish to view them later. The trash can button is used to delete an item.

Doctors have used this My Demos button in a variety of creative ways including postoperative instructions, photos of cosmetic treatment they have done step-by-step, and many others.

Each My Demos item may contain as many images as you wish. Please note, however, that only up to eight (8) images will be shown on the electronic or printed treatment plan. Therefore, if you have a custom demo that has more than 8 images, and you intend to email or print it, consider making several My Demos, each containing 8 images maximum. For ease of use, append "part 1", "part 2", etc. to the demo names. Tray images are not included on printouts in the My Demos function.

To delete any demo, tap the edit button and choose the item to be deleted.

The current version of the app is 9.0.0.

Version 9.0 includes a wide range of improvements to the app, many of which are in response to your requests. Love the app? Please refer your friends and leave us a rating in the App Store. Need help or have feedback? Tap Contact Support in the Help menu.
• Full Screen Viewing: You can now tap the sidebar button on the toolbar to hide or show the main menu. When the menu is hidden, the module will automatically be centered on the screen to allow more room for your annotations. Tap the sidebar button again to show the menu.
• Toolbar: the toolbar has been entirely reimagined with all new icons and a consolidated interface. Your practice name as well as the name of the active module now appear on the upper toolbar so you can easily see which demonstration is selected.
• Drawing: adding your personal notes and drawings to modules has been significantly improved. You can now choose any color pen and draw on the entire screen. The highlighter now defaults to yellow but can be changed to any color you wish. The undo functionality has been improved.
• Favorites: a new heart icon appears on the toolbar. When the currently selected module is on the Favorites list already, the heart will be red. You may tap the heart to add any module to favorites.
• Categories List: the categories list has been updated to a simpler and faster functionality. There is a new close all / open all folders button.
• Slider: the image controller (“Slider”) has been reimagined so it no longer blocks a portion of your module. It may now be positioned at the top or bottom of the module to facilitate demonstration if you are sitting next to the patient or across a desk. It has also been made more responsive and smoother.
• Snapshots (formerly Tray): the snapshots functionality has been entirely rewritten. It is now easier to identify which images will be included in the plan, all of the drawing tools from the main modules are now available, and you may import multiple images at once. The Snapshots area is also much larger to make it easier for patients to see what you are demonstrating.
• Notifications: a small popup window will now notify you when you have added an item to the Plan or Favorites.
• Treatment Plan Letter: the TP Letter has been redesigned to be easier to read by patients and have less wasted paper when printed. It may now be sent by email, text, AirDrop, other methods. The interface for editing the cover page has been improved.
• Add Your Own Module: you can now add multiple images at once, delete photos, and define which images appear on your treatment plans.
• Orientation Lock: the app may now be used in portrait or landscape orientation. You may use the settings menu to lock the app in either portrait or landscape, or allow the app to respond to the way you are holding the device.
• Light/Dark Mode: the app now supports your system setting of light or dark mode.
• Text Size: the main menu now supports your selected text size in the System Settings.
• iPhone: the full functionality of the app is now available on iPhone in addition to iPad.
• Help: the help function has been entirely rewritten and is now accessible at any time from the app.
• Various other minor improvements, performance enhancements, and bug fixes.

If your iPad is not set to automatically update, you may update by entering the App Store app, tapping your profile icon in the upper right corner, and scrolling down to see any available updates.

1. Open the App Store on your device and sign in if asked. You must sign in with the same Apple ID you used when your originally put the app on the first device. If you wish to use the app under a different Apple ID, you must purchase it again. If you have forgotten which Apple ID you used or your password, please contact us for support.
2. Tap your profile picture in the upper-right corner, then tap “Purchased” and then “My Purchases”.
3. Locate (by scrolling or searching) DDS GP then tap Download next to it.
4. If the app does not appear on the list, you are not using the original Apple ID used for purchase.

Users of DDS GP Yes! (a discontinued version of DDS GP) may see the message: "DDS GP Yes! Needs to be updated. The developer of this app needs to update it to work with this version of iOS." If you see this message, please contact us so we can switch you over to DDS GP, which has all of the same features except the Homoly content. There is no charge for this service.s

Tap the ❤️ or clipboard button on the toolbar.

In edit mode, touch and hold the three horizontal lines icon at the right edge of each item. Then move it to the desired position.

When you add to Plan in a diagnosis demo, the severity displayed at the time you add is the one shown on the .pdf. In a treatment demo, important steps are automatically shown.

Yes. While in the Snapshots window, tap the photos button in the toolbar to add from your iPad photo library.

If you have a printed item or intraoral photo displayed on your computer, simply take a picture of your computer screen using the Snapshots function of DDS GP. Then, you can draw on that photo just like the rest of the app. For multiple photos, DDS GP is fully intergrated with the Apple Photos app and all other standard iPad import methods.

This app is about 328 megs. The least expensive iPad, at 64 gigs (64,000 megs), is plenty.

You may install it on multiple iPads that are associated with the same iTunes account.

You only need an internet connection to send e-mails. If you don’t have wireless, consider a cellular iPad.

After testing multiple platforms, we settled on iPad. It is inexpensive, fast, and boots up instantly. There’s nothing out there even close. See it as an excuse to get that iPad you wanted anyway! The app will also work on your M1 or later Mac computer.

Email the .pdf to your office computer then use the import or documents function in your software to add it to your patient’s chart. More information about documents and adding to a patient’s chart is available from your specific software vendor.

Yes, we are registered as an educational App. If you are from an educational institution, you can get the App for half price! Apple has some restrictions, so please email us for specifics.

Call us!