FIELD

[0001] Various example embodiments relate to dental care units, and in particular configuration of a dental care unit.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Dental care units comprise a patient chair and accessory unit comprising various instruments and accessories for dental treatment procedures. Safety regulations require certain maintenance procedures to be performed for the dental care unit. SUMMARY

[0003] According to some aspects, there is provided the subject-matter of the independent claims. Some example embodiments are defined in the dependent claims. The scope of protection sought for various example embodiments is set out by the independent claims. The example embodiments and features, if any, described in this specification that do not fall under the scope of the independent claims are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding various example embodiments.

[0004] According to a first aspect, there is provided a dental care unit comprising at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the dental care unit at least to perform: collecting data related to the dental care unit; transmitting the data to a network service; receiving a configuration message as a push message from the network service, wherein the configuration message has been generated at least partly based on the data transmitted to the network service; and adjusting settings of the dental care unit based on the configuration message. [0005] According to a second aspect, there is provided a network service comprising at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the network service at least to perform: receiving, from a dental care unit, data related to the dental care unit; receiving, from a user device, at least an identifier of the dental care unit and an identifier of an authorized user of the dental care unit; generating a configuration message at least partly based on the data received from the dental care unit; transmitting the configuration message as a push message to the dental care unit.

[0006] According to a third aspect, there is provided a method comprising: collecting, by a dental care unit, data related to the dental care unit; transmitting, by the dental care unit, the data to a network service; receiving, by the dental care unit, a configuration message as a push message from the network service, wherein the configuration message has been generated at least partly based on the data transmitted to the network service; and adjusting, by the dental care unit, settings of the dental care unit based on the configuration message.

[0007] According to an embodiment, the collected data comprises data related to maintenance of the dental care unit; the collected data informs the network service that one or more maintenance procedures have been neglected; the configuration message comprises an indication of preventing usage of at least some function(s) of the dental care unit; adjusting settings of the dental care unit comprises preventing usage of at least some function(s) of the dental care unit.

[0008] According to an embodiment the collected data informs the network service that required maintenance procedures have been taken care of; the configuration message comprises an indication of allowing usage of the dental care unit; adjusting settings of the dental care unit comprises allowing usage of the dental care unit.

[0009] According to an embodiment, wherein a communication connection is established between the dental care unit and the network service in response to the network service receiving at least an identifier of the dental care unit and an identifier of an authorized user of the dental care unit.

[0010] According to an embodiment, the method comprises ending the communication connection after receiving the configuration message.

[0011] According to an embodiment, wherein the configuration message comprises an indication of preventing usage of one or more instruments of the dental care unit, wherein the one or more instruments are not needed in a treatment procedure scheduled for the dental care unit; adjusting settings comprises preventing usage of the one or more instruments which are not needed in the treatment procedure scheduled for the dental care unit. [0012] According to an embodiment, the preventing usage of the one or more instruments comprises blocking a control signal of the one or more instruments.

[0013] According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a method comprising receiving, by a network service from a dental care unit, data related to the dental care unit; receiving, by the network service from a user device, at least an identifier of the dental care unit and an identifier of an authorized user of the dental care unit; generating, by the network service, a configuration message at least partly based on the data received from the dental care unit; transmitting, by the network service, the configuration message as a push message to the dental care unit.

[0014] According to an embodiment, the received data comprises data related to maintenance of the dental care unit, and the method comprises: determining based on the received data that one or more maintenance procedures have been neglected; generating into the configuration message an indication of preventing usage of at least some function(s) of the dental care unit.

[0015] According to an embodiment, the method comprises determining based on the received data that required maintenance procedures have been taken care of; generating into the configuration message an indication of allowing usage of the dental care unit.

[0016] According to an embodiment, the method comprises establishing a communication connection between the dental care unit and the network service in response to receiving at least the identifier of the dental care unit and the identifier of the authorized user of the dental care unit.

[0017] According to an embodiment, the method comprises determining a treatment procedure scheduled for the dental care unit based on the identifier of the dental care unit; generating into the configuration message an indication of preventing usage of one or more instruments of the dental care unit, wherein the one or more instruments are not needed in the scheduled treatment procedure.

[0018] According to an embodiment, the indication of preventing usage of the one or more instruments comprises instruction for a control unit of the dental care unit to block a control signal of the one or more instruments. [0019] According to a further aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause an apparatus to at least to perform the method of the third aspect and any of the embodiments thereof, or the method of the fourth aspect and any of the embodiments thereof.

[0020] According to a further aspect, there is provided a computer program configured to cause the method of the third aspect and any of the embodiments thereof to be performed, or the method of the fourth aspect and any of the embodiments thereof to be performed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0021] Fig. 1 shows, by way of example, a dental care unit;

[0022] Fig. 2 shows, by way of example, a system comprising a dental care unit, a network service, and a user device;

[0023] Fig. 3 shows, by way of example, signalling between a dental care unit and a network service and a user device; [0024] Fig. 4 shows, by way of example, a flowchart of a method;

[0025] Fig. 5 shows, by way of example, a flowchart of a method; and

[0026] Fig. 6 shows, by way of example, a block diagram of an apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Fig. 1 shows, by way of example, a dental care unit 100. The dental care unit comprises a patient chair 110 and an accessory part 120. The dental care unit comprises a chair foot control, 112. Buttons of the chair foot control may cause pre-defined functions in the chair. For example, one button may cause lifting of the chair 110, and another button may cause lowering of the chair 110. The patient chair 110 comprises adjustable foot rest 114 and neck rest 116, and optionally arm rests 118. Position of the chair 110 may be locked by a swivel lock. The dental care unit may comprise one or more loudspeakers, e.g. integrated to the neck rest 116.

[0028] The dental care unit may comprise a foot pedal 130. Buttons of the foot 130 pedal may cause pre-defined functions in the dental care unit. Accessory part 120 of the unit comprises a monitor 122 or a display, instrument tray (not shown) and instrument bridge 124. Control panel may be part of the bridge 124. Via the control panel, a user may provide input to the unit, for example by pushing buttons.

[0029] The dental care unit may comprise a cuspidor 126 and a faucet 128. Suction arm and holder 132 are connected to the pipes of the cuspidor.

[0030] The dental care unit comprises one or more on/off buttons or switches. For example, the accessory part 120 may comprise a separate on/off button 134, and the chair 110 may comprise a separate on/off button. The button may be operated manually and/or electrically. For example, the dental care unit or at least the accessory part 120 may be locked by electrically setting the button 134 to off position. When the dental care unit is off, usage of the dental care unit is prevented.

[0031] The dental care unit comprises a control unit, for example in the frame 140. The control unit comprises e.g. elements described in Fig. 6. The control unit may be configured to control functions of the dental care unit. For example, the control unit may control turbines, micromotors, syringe, suction, monitor 122, etc. For example, the control unit may control what information to display on the monitor 122. The chair, and other functional modules (instrument bridge, chair, monitor) of the dental care unit may comprise a control unit, and different control units may communicate with each other via a bus or buses, for example. The control unit of the chair may be configured to control the chair e.g. based on input received via the chair foot control 112. The foot pedal may be configured to control any functional module of the dental care unit. Likewise, control panel of the dental care unit may be configured to control any functional module of the dental care unit.

[0032] The dental care unit comprises a unique identifier. The identifier may be, for example, a string of characters, such as numbers and/letters, a bar code, a QR code, or any suitable identifier.

[0033] The dental care unit may comprise or may be coupled to one or more detergent containers. The containers may comprise different compounds for cleaning hoses of the dental care unit.

[0034] Fig. 2 shows, by way of example, a system comprising a dental care unit 210, a network service 220, and a user device 230. The user device may be a computer or a smart phone, for example. The devices, i.e. dental care unit, the network service and the user device may form a network such that the devices may communicate with each other. For example, the dental care unit 210 may receive data from the network service 220, and transmit data to the network service. The communication between the devices may be realized as wired or wireless communication. Communication between the dental care unit and external devices is controlled such that, for example, during a treatment procedure, the dental care unit does not receive communication signals from external devices, such as the user device or from the network service. This is to ensure patient safety. The communication from the network service to the dental care unit may be based on push messages, which enables to achieve significantly better safety level in communication when compared to a scenario, where the dental care unit retrieves a configuration message from the network server according to a pull technology, for example.

[0035] The communication between the devices may be based on, for example, the advanced message queuing protocol (AMQP) or message queuing telemetry transport (MQTT). Push messages may be encrypted and protected against interception, modification or forgery by using a cryptographic protocol, such as transport layer security (TLS).

[0036] The network service 220 may comprise one or more local servers customized for the needs of a clinic, for example. The network service may comprise a database of users that are authorized to use the dental care unit. In addition, the network service may comprise a database comprising pre-configured settings for different dental care units. The settings may be tailored for different treatment procedures and/or for different users and/or for different roles of the users. The role may be e.g. a dentist or a dentist’s assistant.

[0037] Before usage of the dental care unit, a user, e.g. a dentist or a dentist’ s assistant, may need to sign in to the network service, which may then pair the user and the dental care unit. In other words, the user will get authorization to use the dental care unit via the network service 230. User may use a user device 230, e.g. user’s mobile phone, or a computer for signing in to the network service 220. For pairing the user and a particular dental care unit, the user may transmit a message comprising at least the identifier of the dental care unit to the network service, using the user device 230. The message may further comprise an identifier of the user. The network service determines or authenticates the user based on a message comprising the identifier. As another example, the network service may authenticate the user, based on a sender of the message. The network service is capable of determining the user, or user id, based on sender information of the message. Then, the network service may check and verify that the user is authorized to use the dental care unit.

[0038] The pairing may be done every time when either assistant and/or dentist who is using the dental care unit changes. After each treatment session and/or before new patient arrives the treatment is completed and information concerning the treatment process may be delivered into the server. This may be done automatically by sending a completion message into the server from the control panel of the dental care unit. Before a new patient arrives and/or treatment starts dental care unit will be connected into the server and information valid for the next procedure is received as a push message from the server. The information valid for the next procedure is received as a configuration message and may comprise settings for the dental care unit, information on a patient, and/or instructions for a dentist and/or assistant, for example.

[0039] Regarding the identifier of the dental care unit, the user may provide the identifier of the dental care unit as input to the user device. The input may be provided e.g. by manually typing or via microphone. Alternatively, the user may scan a code using the user device. For example, the user may use the camera of the user device for scanning the code which is indicative of the identifier of the dental care unit.

[0040] As another example, the user may receive the identifier of the dental care unit using wireless communication technologies, such as Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy (BLE) or near field communication (NFC), for example. The user device may receive the identifier of the dental care unit by reading a smart tag, for example.

[0041] The user device 230 transmits the identifier of the dental care unit and of the user to the network service 220 pairing him/herself with the dental care unit and further for signing in to the dental care unit 210. The network service pairs the identified or authorized user and the dental care unit. When the network service receives the identifier of the dental care unit, the network service is aware of the dental care unit to which a configuration message is to be sent. The configuration message may be a user specific configuration message and/or a treatment specific configuration message and/or a role specific configuration message. The user may add, via the network service, information which is valid for generation of the configuration message. The configuration message may comprise e.g. treatment specific data, user specific data and/or patient specific data and/or role specific data. [0042] The configuration message may also include information that is provided for the network service by a third party. For example, the message may include information that is critical for treatment, patient, dentist and/or assistant but does not necessarily have a direct effect on dental care unit. This improves patient safety and communication without disturbing the treatments while information will always be received during the changeovers of treatment and/or patient.

[0043] The network service may also have an access to a calendar or schedule of a clinic, wherein the dental care unit is located. The calendar comprises information on a schedule of the planned dental care procedures or treatment procedures related to a treatment room, where the dental care unit is located in. In addition, the calendar may comprise patient specific data. Based on the calendar, the user id, and/or the identifier of the dental care unit, the network service may generate a configuration message to be sent to the dental care unit.

[0044] Different users and/or different treatment procedures may have different needs for settings of the dental care unit. The network service has a pre -built database on different configurations or settings of different users, possibly for different treatment procedures.

[0045] Settings of the dental care unit may be selected from the database for a specific treatment procedure and/or for the identified user, and a configuration message may be generated based on the selected settings. The configuration message is transmitted to the dental care unit. The configuration message may comprise information related to the particular dental care unit, e.g. user specific settings, and/or treatment specific settings and/or patient specific settings of the dental care unit.

[0046] The dental care unit 210 receives a configuration message from the network service 220. The configuration message may be received as a push message. Settings of the dental care unit are adjusted based on the configuration message. The configuration message may comprise information according to one or more of the following examples:

[0047] - adjustments of a chair, such as sit positioning, height and other ergonomics settings

[0048] - settings of a display or monitor, such as what icons to display and in which order icons are displayed [0049] - settings of a foot pedal, such as what happens when a user pushes a button on the foot pedal

[0050] instrument settings, such as rotational speed of a dental drill [0051] lighting settings, such as colour of light, intensity of light [0052] music playlist to be played via a loudspeaker of the dental care unit

[0053] which detergent to use for cleaning hoses of the dental care unit

[0054] indication on preventing or allowing usage of the dental care unit totally or partly

[0055] - information that is critical for treatment, patient, dentist and/or assistant. [0056] If the message comprises an element comprising information that is critical for treatment, patient, dentist and/or assistant, the user may be required to send confirmation of reading of this information to the network service. In response to sending this confirmation, the dental care unit may be used by the user. For example, in response to sending this confirmation, the dental care unit is unlocked. [0057] Preventing certain functions or procedures, but not the whole usage, is related to the user or treatment specific secure procedure. Total prevention may be based on neglected safety procedures such as undone but needed sterilization or issues related to the user authorization. For example, the network service may detect that the user is not authorized to use the dental care unit in question, and may include to the configuration message an indication on preventing the usage of the dental care unit.

[0058] When the dental care unit is configured for a certain treatment procedure, certain function and/or instruments may be available for use during the treatment procedure, while use of one or more functions and/or instruments of the dental care unit may be prevented. This is beneficial for ensuring that the user(s) of the dental care unit cannot use wrong instruments accidentally. For example, one or more turbines might not be needed in certain treatment procedures. Use of one or more turbines/micromotors may be prevented by specifying in the configuration message that control signals of certain turbine(s) are to be blocked. Then, a control unit of the dental care unit blocks control signals of certain turbine(s)/micromotors. Alternatively, or in addition, one or more micromotors, syringes, suctions, and/or scalers might not be needed, and the use of those may be prevented by blocking corresponding control signals.

[0059] Examples of treatment procedures are removal of a tooth, filling of a tooth, bleaching of teeth, root canal therapy, orthodontics, etc. Preferable settings of the dental care unit may be different for different treatment procedures.

[0060] For example, a following treatment according to the calendar of the dental care unit is root canal therapy. Instrument bridge may comprise five instruments, e.g. two different micromotors, a turbine, a syringe, and a calculus remover. Head piece of the micromotors may be changed in order to change the rotational speed of a drill. A turbine may be replaced with a micromotor, if the micromotor uses a specific, red head piece which multiplies the rotational speed of the motor. When starting the treatment (root canal therapy), a turbine or a micromotor with the red head piece is used in the opening phase. In the second phase, a micromotor with a blue head piece is used, i.e. the rotational speed of the drill and the motor is the same. Removal of tooth matter is finished with a micromotor with an endo head piece, which slows down the rotational speed of the drill below the rotational speed of the motor. If the root canal therapy is performed with micromotors with different head pieces, usage of the turbine, syringe and calculus remover may be prevented.

[0061] The configuration message may comprise a sequence of control parameters for controlling the dental care unit. For example, the sequence of control parameters may be configured to control position of the patient chair according to stages of a specific treatment. Positions may be e.g. entry position, a position for performing a specific treatment action such as drilling, a position for spitting, a position for the patient to exit the chair, a cleaning position, etc. Triggering action for proceeding to a following stage of a treatment may be based on a user input, e.g. via the foot pedal, or based on detecting that the dentist has used a specific instrument and has put that back on the instrument tray.

[0062] The configuration message may comprise instructions to be displayed on a display 122 of the dental care unit. For example, instructions may comprise images to guide a user to do certain actions, or written instructions, or audible instructions. Thus, instructions may be presented to the user via a display or via a loudspeaker, for example. As an example, instructions may comprise instruction to put a specific instrument to a specific place. Instructions may be presented to the user before the treatment and/or during the treatment and/or after the treatment. Generation of the instructions to the configuration message may be performed based on a treatment procedure in question, or based on a role of the user. The role may be e.g. a dentist or a dentist’s assistant.

[0063] Instructions may be generated for a treatment procedure such that it has been taken into account that during the treatment, both a dentist and an assistant are present in the treatment room. For example, the dentist may have generated specific instructions for his or her assistant, related to certain treatments. The dental care unit may recognize phases of the treatment based on which instruments have been used or are being used. Then, the instructions may comprise instructions to be presented to the assistant in response to dental care unit detecting a certain phase of the treatment. Instructions may be proactive in sense that the instructions concern the following phase of the detected phase, for example. This is beneficial if the dentist and assistant do not know each other beforehand, or they do not share a mutual language. The assistant might not know dentist’s way of working. The instructions received with the configuration message and presented to the assistant, for example by displaying on the monitor, will guide the assistant through the treatment.

[0064] For example, let us consider the root canal therapy described above. When the dentist has used the micromotor with the red head piece in the opening phase, the dentist takes the micromotor with the blue head piece from the instrument bridge. Then, an instruction is presented to the assistant to change the red head piece to the endo head piece. When the dentist finishes using the micromotor with the blue head piece, the next instrument is ready for the dentist. The dentists typically use turbines and micromotors with different head pieces. Way of usage of different instruments may depend on the treatment in question and on personal preferences. Therefore, specific instructions presented to the assistant improves patient safety by minimizing errors in changing the head pieces.

[0065] The dental care unit may detect which instrument is being used by identifying whether the instrument is detached from the instrument holder or not. Identification of the detachment of the instrument may be based on sensor readings, e.g. proximity sensor readings or other suitable detector readings.

[0066] During a treatment procedure, data related to usage of the dental care unit may be collected and stored in a memory. In addition or alternatively, data related to maintenance of the dental care unit may be collected. The data may be stored in a memory of the dental care unit, and/or transmitted to the network service for storing and further analysis. The message to the network service is transmitted when patient and/or treatment changeover takes place. For example, at least some of the following data may be collected during a treatment procedure and/or relating to maintenance of the dental care unit:

[0067] - information on which instrument(s) have been used during the treatment procedure [0068] - information on for how long each instrument has been used during the treatment procedure

[0069] - information on in which positions a patient chair has been during the treatment

[0070] information on for how long the patient chair has been in each positions

[0071] - duration of the treatment procedure

[0072] - information on air pressure and/or water pressure

[0073] - information on energy consumption of one or more motors driving one or more instruments

[0074] - information on whether suction hoses have been cleaned

[0075] - information on whether instrument hoses have been cleaned

[0076] - which detergent has been used in cleaning the hoses

[0077] - information on whether detergent has been inserted into the hoses

[0078] - information on how long a detergent has been let affect the hose

[0079] Cleaning of the hoses may be performed by a person or it may at least partly an automatic procedure. Automatic cleaning procedure may be e.g. initiated by a person. When cleaning the hoses, it is important to change a detergent every now and then. A reason for this is to prevent bacteria to become resistant to certain detergents. Therefore, the dental care unit may inform the network service on which detergent has been used. Then, the network service may instruct the cleaner of the dental care unit to use another detergent in the following cleaning procedure. The dental care unit is able to identify a detergent or a compound used as a detergent based on conductivity measurements, for example. Alternatively, a cleaner may provide input to the dental care unit about the used detergent. The dental care unit may have separate containers for different detergents.

[0080] In some situation, a detergent should let affect in the hose for a duration of time. For example, a detergent may be let affect the hose over a weekend.

[0081] Based on the data transmitted from the dental care unit to the network service, the network service may determine whether required cleaning procedures have been taken care of. If not, usage of the dental care unit may be prevented. For example, functions of the dental care unit may be locked. Locking of the dental care unit may be performed by an electronic on/off switch.

[0082] When the required cleaning procedures have been taken care of, information on this is transmitted to the network service. Then, the network service may allow usage of the dental care unit. For example, function of the dental care unit may be unlocked. Unlocking of the dental care unit may be performed by an electronic on/off switch.

[0083] The data regarding maintenance of the dental care unit may be transmitted several times a day which improves hygienic risk management.

[0084] Fig. 3 shows, by way of example, signalling between a dental care unit 310 and a network service 320 and a user device. The dental care unit 310 has collected 311 data related to maintenance of the dental care unit. For example, data related to maintenance may comprise one or more of: information on whether suction hoses have been cleaned; information on whether instrument hoses have been cleaned; which detergent has been used in cleaning the hoses; information on whether detergent has been inserted into the hoses; information on how long a detergent has been let affect the hose. In general, the data related to maintenance comprises such information on cleaning of the dental care unit, that the network service may determine based on the data whether required maintenance procedures have been taken care of.

[0085] The data is transmitted 312 from the dental care unit 310 to the network service 320. The network service performs 321 a maintenance check, i.e. determines based on the data, whether required maintenance procedures have been taken care of. For example, the network service may determine that one or more maintenance procedures have been neglected. Then, the network service may determine that the usage of the dental care unit has to be prevented, at least partly. For example, usage of instruments whose hoses have not been cleaned, may be prevented. As another example, the network service may determine that required maintenance procedures have been taken care of. Then, the network service may determine that usage of the dental care unit may be allowed.

[0086] The network service 320 receives 322 from the user device 330 a message comprising at least an identifier of the dental care unit. In addition, the network service receives an identifier of the user and may verify that the user is authorized to use the dental care unit. The network service may determine the identifier of the user based on the sender of the message, for example. The user device has generated 331 the message after receiving the identifier of the dental care unit e.g. from a user or via scanning the identifier from the dental care unit, as described earlier. The network service 320 may compare the identifier of the dental care unit to identifiers stored in a device database. Based on the identifier, the network service may check maintenance information of the dental care unit corresponding to the identifier.

[0087] The network service 320 generates 323 a configuration message at least partly based on the data received from the dental care unit. If the one or more maintenance procedures have been neglected, the configuration message comprises an indication of preventing usage of the dental care unit. If the required maintenance procedures have been taken care of, the configuration message comprises an indication of allowing usage of the dental care unit.

[0088] The dental care unit 310 receives 313 the configuration message from the network service 320. Based on the configuration message, the dental care unit adjusts 314 its settings. For example, the dental care unit may prevent or allow usage of the dental care unit. Preventing the usage may be performed by locking the dental care unit, e.g. using electronic switch. Allowing the usage may be performed by unlocking the dental care unit, e.g. using electronic switch.

[0089] As another example, the network service may determine, based on a schedule of the dental care unit and the identifier of the dental care unit, a treatment procedure scheduled for the dental care unit. Then, the network service may generate into the configuration message an indication of preventing usage of one or more instruments which are not needed in the scheduled treatment procedure. [0090] Fig. 4 shows, by way of example, a flowchart of a method 400. The method may be performed by a dental care unit, for example, the dental care unit 310 of Fig. 3, or in a control device configured to control the functioning thereof, when installed therein. The method 400 comprises collecting 410, by a dental care unit, data related to the dental care unit. The method 400 comprises transmitting 420, by the dental care unit, the data to a network service. The method 400 comprises receiving 430, by the dental care unit, a configuration message as a push message from the network service, wherein the configuration message has been generated at least partly based on the data transmitted to the network service. The method 400 comprises adjusting 440, by the dental care unit, settings of the dental care unit based on the configuration message.

[0091] Fig. 5 shows, by way of example, a flowchart of a method 500. The method 500 may be performed by a network service, for example, the network service 320 of Fig. 3, or in a control device configured to control the functioning thereof, when installed therein. The method 500 comprises receiving 510, by a network service from a dental care unit, data related to the dental care unit. The method 500 comprises receiving 520, by the network service from a user device, at least an identifier of the dental care unit and an identifier of an authorized user of the dental care unit. The method 500 comprises generating 530, by the network service, a configuration message at least partly based on the data received from the dental care unit. The method 500 comprises transmitting 540, by the network service, the configuration message as a push message to the dental care unit.

[0092] Fig. 6 shows, by way of example, a block diagram of an apparatus 600. The apparatus 600 may comprise e.g. the dental care unit 310 of Fig. 3, or the network service server 320 of Fig. 3. The apparatus 600 may comprise at least one processor 610, a communication unit 630, and a memory 620. The communication unit 630 may comprise at least one transmitter and receiver, which may be configured to operate in accordance with wired or wireless communication standard(s). The memory 620 may store computer program code for causing the apparatus to perform actions, when the computer program code is executed by the at least one processor 610.

[0093] The apparatus 600 may comprise user interface, UI, 640. UI 640 may comprise at least one of a display, a keyboard, a touchscreen, a speaker and a microphone. A user may be able to operate device 600 via UI 640. The UI may comprise e.g. the control panel of the dental care unit.