Course CDEN 815
Assignment 1, pt. 1
Clinical Product Web Site Evaluation

Instructions:

1. Print off the PDF version of the Clinical Product Web Evaluation Checklist. (28K)
2. Verify your group number. The number corresponds to an item in the list of assigned sites below.
3. The sites are selected from the August 2001 issue of JADA and were mentioned in advertisements in that magazine. The Index to Advertisers was consulted (inside back cover). If a web address (URL) was given for a product or advertising company, you are being directed to that web address. If no web address was given, I found a web site for that corporation or a sales vendor, and have directed you to that alternate URL.
4. From the page or link below, attempt to find information on the product listed. With your group, complete the Checklist for the product information pages found.
5. If you are unable to find the product information on the web site of the company which produces the product, you have two options.
   • First, you may search for product descriptions or information from another dental site. I recommend using GOOGLE as the search engine, since these are very technical specific product names. I noticed that some of the product manufacturers listed one web site in the JADA Advertisers index, but actually have an entirely different primary corporate identity web site. (Rembrandt is a good example of this.) If you wish, you may also try the same project using the company's other web site, but be sure to note this on the Checklist. Complete the Checklist for the product information found, being sure to notate clearly that you were unable to locate the product information on the producer's web site.
   • Second, you may select a similar product from the same company on the same web site, and evaluate that information and web page. Be sure to note the change of product and the reason on the Checklist turned in for your group.

Optional

I want to emphasize that these criteria are industry standards, developed and endorsed by industry experts. This is true irrespective of how frequently you see them implemented in practice. The importance of adhering to these standards ESPECIALLY for medical information and in the health care environment has been emphasized in so many publications by so many organizations that it would be difficult to compile a list of them all. A few of the most notable who have endorsed or adopted these or similar criteria include:

• The Mitretek Systems report;
• Health Information Technology Institute (HITI);
• Internet Health Coalition;
• Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ);
• American Medical Association (AMA);
• Institute of Electronic and Electrical Engineers (IEEE) (Health position paper).

Note in particular that versions of the W3 guidelines have actually been signed into law (Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1998) in the United States for sites related to the government or receiving any government funding (including, for example, the University of Michigan!). If you wish to test a webpage for its adherence to the W3 Consortium Usability Standards and Guidelines, you may wish to enter the web address (URL) into the Bobby engine from Cast/Trace. This assignment is intended to heighten your awareness of the issues, responsibilities, and possibilities involved in providing and using health information on the Internet.

List of Assigned Clinical Product Sites:

1. Colgate Total Plus Whitening
   http://www.colgatetotal.com/

2. Rembrandt Bleaching Systems (Smile Center)
   http://www.denmat.com/

3. CAPTEK(tm) Crown
   http://www.captek.com/

4. Valplast(tm) Resin
   http://www.Valplast.com/

5. LUCITONE 199 (tm)
   http://trubyte.dentsply.com/

6. 3M ESPE(tm) Clinpro(tm) Sealant
   http://www.3m.com/3MESPE/clinprosealant/

7. 3M ESPE(tm) Imprint II Quick Step Impression Material System
   http://www.3m.com/3MESPE/clinprosealant/

8. BISCO, Illusion (Universal Cementation System)
   http://www.bisco.com/

9. Ivoclar Vivodent
   http://www.ivoclarvivadent.us.com/

10. Heliomolar
    http://www.ivoclarna.com

11. Recaldent in Trident Advantage Gum
    http://www.recaldent.com/

12. Trident Advantage Mints
    http://www.tridentgum.com/

13. Permite Alloy
    http://www.sdi.com.au/default.htm

14. Dispersalloy
    http://www.dentsply.com/

15. Amalcap Plus
    http://www.ivoclarna.com/

16. Dentaplex (Dental micronutrient complex dietary supplement
    http://www.collagenex.com/

17. Fuji IX(tm) GP Fast
    http://www.gcamerica.com/

18. Professional Crest Whitestrips
    http://www.dentalcare.com/

19. NiteWhite Excel 2
    http://www.discusdental.com/

20. Excite Adhesive
    http://www.ivoclarna.com/

• Ultradent: Vitalescence esthetic composite resin http://www.ultradent.com/
• Ultradent Dento-Infusor Tips http://www.ultradent.com/

1. Site slow loading.
2. Unnecessarily graphic intensive.
3. Graphics do not use ALT tag for access by text browsers. (Text browsers used by visually impaired, older professionals with old technological base, and overseas sites in some third world countries.)
4. Gratuitous use of Shockwave.
5. Improper use of Shockwave.
6. Improperly coded links.
7. Bad links, even when code corrected for typos.
8. Site menu, but no search engine to allow one to find the info despite the bad links.
9. Slow page refresh upon page resize or back button.