Ok, I'll comment on the different components and you can decide what to do. In terms of the camera, you're right, you need an SLR so that you can see in the view finder exactly what your image is going to look like. Now, the Canon Rebel won't work for you, it doesn't have a spot meter, something that's crucial for macro work. You'd have to select a higher Canon model or select a Nikon. Any model of Nikon will work. If you want to go on the cheap you can use the D40x, it's an excellent entry SLR that takes exceptional pictures. If you want some more control and options, something I don't think is necessary in this case, go for the D80. I personally use a Nikon D200 and I love it, but then I don't photograph teeth, I'm into bugs and fungus both of which can be a real challenge and is certainly far more challenging than teeth. So I need the additional features of the D200. Were I do do only teeth I'd be happy with the D40x. You don't have to buy an SLR with the kit lens that's offered. You can buy it with any lens you want and usually that will get you a bit of a discount on the lens when you buy it with the camera which will save you a bit of money. So what lens? Clearly you have to use a macro lens and preferably one that goes 1:1, basically life size. NIkon has two flavours of this, a 60mm and a 105mm. There are others that offer "macro" capability but they are not true macros and will give you only a 1:2 ratio (half life size). A macro lens also focusses on a flat plane instead of the more usual curved plane which is crucial in macro work. A lot of lenses call themselves macro because they allow you to get closer to your subject, but that doesn't make them true macros and they won't get you the outstanding images you need. With macro photography, the lens to subject distance is determined by the size of the subject and the focal length of the lens. If you're photographing a filling in a tooth, using the short lens, the 60 mm, means you really have to get close (porbably a very few inches), which can be a problem with the patient. A longer focal length is really needed for your application. Using the 105mm instead allows you at least a foot of lens to subject distance which is easier to handle both for yourself and for your patient. Additionally, the 105mm lens has an excellent image stabilizor that takes case of any camera shake. So in this case I'd recommend the 105mm lens. I have both and they're both excellent lenses, but the 105mm is the best for what you're trying to do considering the constraints under which you're working. Finally, in terms of illumination, yes I agree a ring flash is ideal. You're not trying to create art, you're trying to capture clinical details so it's essential that you have even illumination that eliminates all shadows. Sigma has an excellent ring flash that works perfectly with the NIkons. It's reasonably priced and with the 105mm macro gives you a comfortable working distance that won't distress your patients. Nikon does have a macro flash too which an earlier correspondent alludes to, but I personally feel it's not practical for what you're trying to do. Additionally it's heavier, bulkier and requires more fussing to capture the image. So, my suggestion is a Nikon D40x with a Nikon 105 mm macro lens and the Sigma ring flash. That would be the least expensive solution to your need. If you feel you need more sophistication camera wise, I'd select the D80 instead with the same lens and flash. Anything more would be over kill. I hope this helps a little.