At last, 2020 is nearly over, and the new year is about to start. We can all say that 2020 was not really our year, but at this point, all we can do is shake it all off and start anew.
At last, 2020 is nearly over, and the new year is about to start. We can all say that 2020 was not really our year, but at this point, all we can do is shake it all off and start anew.
If anything, 2021 is a year for a lot of new things. As we are slowly adjusting to a “new normal” up until we are free from the clutches of this pandemic, there will be changes – even in the world of dentistry.
The coronavirus pandemic rocked the whole dental community. Dental clinics worldwide got shut down, and dentists were left with no practice and no livelihood. However, it is a noble sacrifice. One that the industry can easily take if it means doing the greater good. But dentistry is not going to stay down for long. The new year will usher in a new
Technology has been one of the biggest factors in the growth of modern-day dentistry. One can go as far as to say. We wouldn’t have dentistry as we know today without new and emerging technologies. It allowed dental practitioners to perform with as little pain, risks, and after-operation issues as possible. It made dentistry a much less scary thing for children and a welcome thought for adults.
With the new year coming, we expect a few must-have technologies that should be present in Dental clinics. While not all of them are brand new, the latest applications of these technologies in the world of dentistry will make them definite must-haves.
Digital Records
Let’s start with the most obvious one. If you are running a dental clinic right now, the dream would be to have all the patient records, x-rays, and charts all in one place, right? Where you can go search for a patient’s name, and everything would come up within a second. Just imagine how much less of a hassle that would be.
But sadly, this is not the case with a lot of dental clinics nationwide. Right now, there are still dental clinics that rely on paper charts for their record keeping. Don’t get me wrong. There’s nothing wrong with the good ‘ole paper chart. But it just takes so much time to record everything on paper, keep the paper record, and look for it when you need it again. It’s just a nightmare.
By using digital records, you eliminate all the hassle of using traditional charts and record-keeping methods. It also allows you to provide your patients with a better service. In the next few years, everything will get digital (as will be our next entry on this list), so you need to get ahead by putting all your records and charts in digital format. It will make the transition much easier with no need to transfer data from paper charts and records to a computer.
Minimally invasive dentistry with the help of lasers
Lasers in the world of dentistry are not new. It’s just not popular. While there are many pros and cons in the use of lasers in dental procedures, the technology has aged enough to be interesting enough to be considered.
Using lasers can be a less invasive way of treating conditions. It can be divided into two types (soft and hard tissue lasers), with each one having its purpose. It pays to read more on the use of lasers in dentistry and find out if it’s something you can do in your clinic. After all, it would be a big plus if you are that “dentist who uses lasers” in your area.
The only thing that might make this sound unappealing is that this requires a very substantial amount of investment of time, effort, and money. It would be best if you also found a good vendor who is good at selling their wares and providing education and after-sales support. Sure, the price may sting, but it can also mean being able to offer a wider array of services to your current and new patients. That might make it worth it.
Digital Impressions
If there’s one thing all dental patients agree on, it’s that taking a dental impression is always a bad experience. It’s not necessarily due to the dentist per se, but the process and materials used need to change for people to want to have their impressions done.
Good thing that’s quite easy now. Dentists can opt to use digital tools to take digital impressions from the patients. It’s easy to use, and it makes the overall dentist experience much better for your patients. You need to buy a few pieces of equipment and do a little bit of training on how to use it, but it gets pretty easy once you get the hang of it.
Oh, and if you are thinking about the financial investment, it’s not that costly as other improvements in your clinic. It is not priced as high, but it can greatly impact your customer experience, making it a real bang for your buck. The price of getting a whole digital impression system inside your dentist clinic sits anywhere from $20,000 to $40,000. You can use the same system for the next 3-5 years with very minimal upgrades and maintenance. If you are the first clinic to offer this within your locality, imagine how many people you will win over because they won’t have to fear having an impression taken ever again.
As a dentist, it is your goal to provide quality dentistry services to your customers. This means having the newest technology to help you provide that level of service to them in this time and age. But it’s not as easy as buying candy from a store. It would be best to have a good IT and technology solutions company to assist you in making a decision, installing, and learning the new technology.
NOVA Computer Solutions provides IT solutions for dental clinics by providing equipment management, email solutions, backup services, and software and hardware support. If you want to take your dental clinic to the next level, NOVA Computer Solutions can help take you there. Call us today or send us an email and let’s talk about how we can help you provide a better service to your customers.
