ABSTRACT
Dental practices are businesses, and at times they can be quite complex. In the past, dentists could more easily open an office, gradually generate a desired patient flow, and create a successful business, along with a comfortable lifestyle and safe retirement. The supply and demand dynamics generally favored dentists, leaning toward practitioners almost automatically having successful careers. Much of that has changed in recent years. Many dentists are now confronted with greater student loan debt and higher interest rates on loans and financing for practices than even a year ago. Unlike in the past, dental insurance is now a part of most dental practices, with dental insurers periodically lowering reimbursements. Most recently, practices have had to tackle new regulations regarding practice operations and infection control as well as significant staffing challenges. These issues, and others, have heightened the complexity of the business of dentistry.
Subject(s)
Dentistry , Dentists , HumansABSTRACT
Dentistry currently is undergoing a metamorphosis that will have a direct impact on practice performance and the profession. Four trends are beginning to reshape dentistry. Some started prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and all have been accelerated because of it. Understanding these four trends will be essential for every dental practice and practitioner to maximize practice performance, achieve sustainable success, and foster an enjoyable and satisfying career. Each of these four trends, which involve staffing, patient volume, insurance reimbursements, and consolidation of practices coupled with the expansion of dental support organizations (DSOs), will have a direct and different impact on practice performance.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Pandemics , Dentistry , Forecasting , Humans , SARS-CoV-2Subject(s)
Emergencies , Practice Management, Dental , Triage , Dental Care/methods , Humans , Triage/methodsABSTRACT
As getting patient reviews posted on online sites appears problematic for periodontal practices, the author urges periodontists to encourage patients to review their practices online on Yelp and other sites. The more positive online reviews practices receive, the higher the rankings on review sites, which will translate into more website visits and, ultimately, more new patient appointments.
