Re: Difference between DOC and STAR????

May 22, 2002

The DOCband and STARband are very similar products that work in the same way.

They are both dynamic. The DOCband is made by Cranial Technologies and they

do nothing but make bands for babies. The STARband is made by Orthomerica and

they are used by independent orthotists who may (or may not) make other

products. The main thing here is to KNOW your ortho if you decide on the

STARband. That fact is that the DOC people really know their stuff and there

is not a lot of " chance " using that band. However, the STARband in the hands

of an experienced and skilled professional can be as effective as the

DOCband. There is also the fact that you don't usually have to travel as far

for the STARband because you can usually find one locally. The cost is also a

factor - the STARband can sometimes cost half the amount of the DOCband.

Check out www.plagiocephaly.org/support for a comparison chart of the

different band and helmet choices.

Good luck with your decision and let us know how things are going.

Marci (Mom to )

Oklahoma

May 22, 2002

Well, Marci's great explanations pretty much sums it up! I won't

waste my " breath " re-typing her explanation!

Debbie Abby's mom DOCgrad

MI

> The DOCband and STARband are very similar products that work in the

same way.

> They are both dynamic. The DOCband is made by Cranial Technologies

and they

> do nothing but make bands for babies. The STARband is made by

Orthomerica and

> they are used by independent orthotists who may (or may not) make

other

> products. The main thing here is to KNOW your ortho if you decide

on the

> STARband. That fact is that the DOC people really know their stuff

and there

> is not a lot of " chance " using that band. However, the STARband in

the hands

> of an experienced and skilled professional can be as effective as

the

> DOCband. There is also the fact that you don't usually have to

travel as far

> for the STARband because you can usually find one locally. The cost

is also a

> factor - the STARband can sometimes cost half the amount of the

DOCband.

> Check out www.plagiocephaly.org/support for a comparison chart of

the

> different band and helmet choices.

>

> Good luck with your decision and let us know how things are going.

>

> Marci (Mom to )

> Oklahoma

May 22, 2002

Thank you, everyone, for taking the time to answer my question. I

live in Syracuse, NY, but travel to Rochester, NY for my son, who

also has a shunt for hydrocephalus. If anyone knows a good

orthotist, please let me know.

Also, due to " high demand since FDA approval " , the Orthomerica

website says they will only accept positive molds instead of

negatives. What does this mean, and does it mean what it sounds

like....are they compromising quality due to high demand?

> > The DOCband and STARband are very similar products that work in

the

> same way.

> > They are both dynamic. The DOCband is made by Cranial

Technologies

> and they

> > do nothing but make bands for babies. The STARband is made by

> Orthomerica and

> > they are used by independent orthotists who may (or may not) make

> other

> > products. The main thing here is to KNOW your ortho if you decide

> on the

> > STARband. That fact is that the DOC people really know their

stuff

> and there

> > is not a lot of " chance " using that band. However, the STARband

in

> the hands

> > of an experienced and skilled professional can be as effective as

> the

> > DOCband. There is also the fact that you don't usually have to

> travel as far

> > for the STARband because you can usually find one locally. The

cost

> is also a

> > factor - the STARband can sometimes cost half the amount of the

> DOCband.

> > Check out www.plagiocephaly.org/support for a comparison chart of

> the

> > different band and helmet choices.

> >

> > Good luck with your decision and let us know how things are going.

> >

> > Marci (Mom to )

> > Oklahoma

May 22, 2002

Sue,

The only thing I can add to those great posts you've already received is, if

you are going with the STARband- I would request to see before and after

pics, and phone numbers for references (parents that have used them) since I

understand that different orthotists are used. Ask the orthotist lots of

questions about experience, availability, rate of success, etc. If you don't

get a good vibe, go with your gut. Good luck and please keep us posted!

' Mom

May 22, 2002

Also, due to " high demand since FDA approval " , the Orthomerica

> website says they will only accept positive molds instead of

> negatives. What does this mean, and does it mean what it sounds

> like....are they compromising quality due to high demand?

Hi Sue,

It was nice chatting with you last night, for however brief it might

have been. In my experience, I don't think that Orthomerica has put

quantity before quality. I don't know the difference between the two

types of molds, so I don't know if one is better than the other.

Maybe one of our resident experts could chime in here. I just want

to stress that the key to having success with any product, whether it

be the DOCband, STARband, or a locally made helmet, depends on the

experience knowledge of the orthotist. What ever product you do

decide to go with, interview the person who will be doing your son's

band. Good luck to you Sue, and please keep us posted!

Niki

Kaylie & Danny (STAR grads)

Phila., PA

May 22, 2002

Sue,

I knew our resident experts would come through when needed. Here is

some information I just received from Orthomerica regarding positive

and negative molds:

A

negative mold is the empty shell (or cast) as it is removed from the

infant's

head. That shell is filled with liquid plaster of paris to create a

positive

mold (or model) of the same head. The positive model is then

modified

to

create a more symmetrical head shape, and the cranial orthosis is

made

from

that final modified positive mold. (I hope that makes sense!)

So it seems to me that accepting only positive molds, they are

cutting down the time a patient will have to wait for their band.

I hope this has helped clarify things a a bit for you, and reassured

you some that the quality of their product isn't being compromised.

Niki

Kaylie & Danny (STAR grads)

Phila., PA

> > > The DOCband and STARband are very similar products that work in

> the

> > same way.

> > > They are both dynamic. The DOCband is made by Cranial

> Technologies

> > and they

> > > do nothing but make bands for babies. The STARband is made by

> > Orthomerica and

> > > they are used by independent orthotists who may (or may not)

make

> > other

> > > products. The main thing here is to KNOW your ortho if you

decide

> > on the

> > > STARband. That fact is that the DOC people really know their

> stuff

> > and there

> > > is not a lot of " chance " using that band. However, the STARband

> in

> > the hands

> > > of an experienced and skilled professional can be as effective

as

> > the

> > > DOCband. There is also the fact that you don't usually have to

> > travel as far

> > > for the STARband because you can usually find one locally. The

> cost

> > is also a

> > > factor - the STARband can sometimes cost half the amount of the

> > DOCband.

> > > Check out www.plagiocephaly.org/support for a comparison chart

of

> > the

> > > different band and helmet choices.

> > >

> > > Good luck with your decision and let us know how things are

going.

> > >

> > > Marci (Mom to )

> > > Oklahoma

May 23, 2002

Thank you. I've decided on the STAR Band after speaking at length to the orthotist today. I also spoke with Davin at Orthomerica (who actually makes the bands), and he raved about my orthotist, in fact, naming him prior to me telling him the area I live in!