The lockdown has had far-reaching implications for healthcare practices. But the pandemic also encouraged dentists to embrace innovative tools and procedures. Here are some of the current trends in dentistry and how they could impact dental practice transitions.
1. Prioritize Patient’s Comfort and Convenience
Dentistry has been focusing on improving the patient’s convenience and comfort for decades. However, recent technological advancements are enhancing the whole experience for the patient. Those with benefits can experience the best dental technology out there. According to Interdent.com, 64% of Americans have dental benefits, though nearly 80% of the population considers them important.
First, it is essential to allow patients to book a visit to the dentist office online. Thanks to the lockdown, many dental practices have convenient options for scheduling a procedure.
Additionally, patients can get mockups of their teeth and how their smile will look after the dental procedure. With 3D printing, a dentist can create replicas of dentures, crowns, and teeth, leading to better outcomes.
2. Natural Dental Hygiene Products
Statistics show a third of Americans do not floss their teeth daily. While many people forget about oral hygiene, there’s also a concern about the content of products in the dentist office.
Natural products may include bamboo floss and toothbrush, oral probiotics, and oral toothpaste. The advantage of organic compounds is that they do not contribute to inflammation while keeping your teeth clean and healthy.
3. Demand for Laser Technology
Another trend that will impact dental procedures is laser technology. According to a Research and Markets report, the use of lasers in the dentist office will increase by 11%.
Laser technology has many applications that can facilitate procedures in dental practices. From teeth whitening, tissue reshaping to removing cavities, they are less painful than conventional alternatives. The technology also eliminates bacteria more effectively during recovery.
4. Telehealth and Virtual Dental Offices
During the first week of the pandemic, telehealth visits increased by more than 150%. For the remainder of the year, a third of the visits to the dental office were virtual.
Even though the lockdown may have boosted the telehealth numbers, experts believe it is here to stay. People in rural areas and those with busy schedules can reduce the frequency of in-person visits to the dentist.
Other technological advances such as 3D printing are making virtual dentistry a reality. Additionally, statistics suggest that telehealth can yield similar results to in-person visits.
5. Automation Software for Dental Practices
In the past few years, healthcare practices have been adopting automation technology to manage their business. Digital applications can screen patients for emergency treatment. Doctors can delegate some of their appointment setting and customer service tasks to automation tools.
Automation streamlines the workload of the practice, allowing the dentist office to execute tasks more effectively. Practitioners can focus on their patients to offer a better treatment experience. Automated applications can boost the bottom line for the business.
6. Cosmetic Dentistry
The lockdown encouraged more people to visit the dentist and take better care of their oral health. One consequence of the pandemic was an increased demand for cosmetic dental procedures due to higher visibility on social media and other platforms such as Zoom. People are taking more pictures and selfies, which has led to more demand for teeth whitening procedures.
Cosmetic dentistry is a solution that corrects problems with tooth color, size, shape, spacing, and alignment. People who were worried about a cracked tooth now find cosmetic treatments as a viable option. So if you are looking to make your practice more competitive, consider adding cosmetic services to your list of treatment options.
In the next decade, trends suggest healthcare practitioners will focus on enhancing the patient’s experience. It is expected that innovations will improve comfort and make treatments easier to access. Before making a dental practice transition, consider how these trends can impact your practice in the next decade.
