The first step is to ensure DICOM compatibility between the VNA and the dental software. Most likely a DICOM license must be purchased for the software.
Below, the capabilities of the dental system is reviewed then compared to the capabilities of the VNA. A spreadsheet can be put together to see what is possible. See below spreadsheet. Here is an example of comparing a Dental Software with DICOM capabilities to a VNA Vendor X.
| SOP Class for Image Storage | SOP | Dental Software | Vendor X Ability | VNA Vendor X Storage Ability | VNA Vendor X Viewability |
| Digital X-ray Image Storage for Presentation | 1.2.840.10008.5.1.4.1.1.1.1 | SCU | SCU/SCP | Can store and transfer | Can view |
| Digital X-ray Image Storage for Processing | 1.2.840.10008.5.1.4.1.1.1.1.1 | SCU | SCU/SCP | Can store and transfer | Not supported |
| Digital Intra-oral X-ray Image Storage for Presentation | 1.2.840.10008.5.1.4.1.1.1.3 | SCU | SCU/SCP | Can store and transfer | Can view |
| Digital Intra-oral X-ray Image Storage for Processing | 1.2.840.10008.5.1.4.1.1.1.3.1 | SCU | SCU/SCP | Can store and transfer | Not supported |
| VL Photographic Image Storage | 1.2.840.10008.5.1.4.1.1.77.1.4 | SCU | SCU/SCP | Can store and transfer | Can view |
| CT Image Storage | 1.2.840.10008.5.1.4.1.1.2 | SCU | SCU/SCP | Can store and transfer | Can view |
| Enhanced CT Image Storage | 1.2.840.10008.5.1.4.1.1.2.1 | SCU | SCU/SCP | Can store and transfer | Not supported |
| Computed Radiography Image Storage | 1.2.840.10008.5.1.4.1.1.1 | SCU | SCU/SCP | Can store and transfer | Can view |
| Secondary Capture Image Storage | 1.2.840.10008.5.1.4.1.1.7 | SCU | SCU/SCP | Can store and transfer | Can view |
| Multi-frame Grayscale Byte Secondary Capture Image Storage | 1.2.840.10008.5.1.4.1.1.7.2 | SCU | SCU/SCP | Can store and transfer | Not supported |
| Multi-frame Grayscale Word Secondary Capture Image Storage | 1.2.840.10008.5.1.4.1.1.7.3 | SCU | SCU/SCP | Can store and transfer | Not supported |
| Multi-frame True Color Secondary Capture Image Storage | 1.2.840.10008.5.1.4.1.1.7.4 | SCU | SCU/SCP | Can store and transfer | Can view |
| Query/Retrieve | |||||
| Patient Root Find | 1.2.840.10008.5.1.4.1.2.1.1 | SCU | SCP | ||
| Patient Root Move | 1.2.840.10008.5.1.4.1.2.1.2 | SCU | SCP | ||
| Study Root Find | 1.2.840.10008.5.1.4.1.2.2.1 | SCU | SCP | ||
| Study Root Move | 1.2.840.10008.5.1.4.1.2.2.2 | SCU | SCP |
Once the capabilities of the Dental Software are confirmed, the next step is to configure the systems.
Acquire the Fundamentals: AE Title, IP and Port
Configure the dental device Application Entity Title (AET). This is the name of the device. The name should not change once configured. The name should be case sensitive.
Configure a static IP. Select a TCP IP address that does not change. Ensure DHCP is turned off for the device. For a wireless device, ensure the wireless IP is reserved by the switch. Contact networking for assistance
Configure the port. By default the port can be 104 however several other ports can be used.
Once AET Port and IP of the dental device are configured, the next step is to configure the VNA
VNA Configuration
Configure the VNA archive into the Dental device
DICOM Modality Worklist (MWL)
If the VNA is capable of providing orders for the dental device, the DICOM MWL can be configured as follows.
Configure the MWL Service Class Provider (MWL SCP). In this case, because the VNA is providing the worklist service, the MWL SCP is the AET, IP and Port of the VNA. Enter the name, static IP and port of the VNA.
Storage
Dental images will need to be stored in the VNA in DICOM format. The VNA will be configured as the STORE Service Class Provider (SCP). The VNA is providing the service for storage. In the dental device, enter the AET, IP and Port of the VNA as the STORE SCP.
Test Connectivity
A simple C-ECHO (DICOM Ping) test from the dental device to the VNA can verify if the devices can communicate. This can be typically done from within the MWL service to ensure this communication is open. This can also be done from within the Store service to ensure the dental device can store to the VNA.
Once C-ECHO passed, the worklist can be queried to find an order. An image can be captured. The order information should be written to the image. Then the image can be stored to the VNA. Check the VNA to see if images are available with the correct order information. If all goes well, your initial testing is complete.
