by As dental practices continue to expand, they must offer cutting edge technology to provide more efficient service and strengthen the clinician-patient bond.
The dental profession is in transition, largely due to a rise in new technology and the growth of group practices, according to Aggie Pennington, national strategic accounts inside sales manager, DentalEZ. “The most significant change is due to the growth of group practices,” she says. “In the past, a group practice was defined as having three or more dentists. Today, dental groups vary in ownership, number of locations and planning strategy. As such, the main concern is to ensure that patient care is decided by a practicing dentist and is based on the needs of the patient. As more research is conducted, these groups will be better defined and stricter standards will be set.
Efficiency in Group Practice: What will be some key opportunities for DSOs in 2018?
Aggie Pennington: 2018 will continue to be a year of growth for group dental practices – particularly for dentists working to transform their practice into a DSO and for larger groups acquiring smaller regional or more established groups and building de novo offices.
EGP: What steps should DSOs take to stay ahead of the game in 2018?
Pennington: Large group practices need an aggressive marketing plan and an attractive program, enabling them to integrate smaller groups they wish to acquire. In order to expand their offices and increase their patient base, their marketing strategy must focus both on smaller, emerging groups and the patients themselves.
EGP: How can clinicians and dental team members better connect with their patients in 2018?
Pennington: Both clinicians and their dental staff need to make their patients feel like a priority. This is critical given the transition occurring in the industry and the aggressive competition clinicians and staff face as they work to strengthen their relationship with patients. Happy patients are more likely to stay with a practice and recommend it to their family and friends.
EGP: What industry trends will we see in the next several years? How can DSOs plan ahead?
Pennington: The dental industry continues to introduce new technology designed to make the patient experience better, easier and faster, including:
Preventative products that assist with caries detection.- Equipment that permits a crown to be completed in a single visit to the dentist office.
- Digital denture technology.
- LED lighting.
- Touch screen electric handpieces equipped with smart technology.
Large DSOs should stay informed about new technology and plan ways to integrate these products into their offices. A dental practice is likely to keep current patients and attract new ones if it brands itself as a progressive user of technology and shows patients the value it provides by offering better, easier and faster care.
