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Technology Redefines Roles of Dentists

Most dentists who went through dental school in the 1980s and 1990s were reminded of the “golden age” of dentistry, back in the 1960s and 1970s. Though there is no doubt that this era was a time of prosperity for dental practices, the modern dental practice has evolved significantly from that time. Even then many dentists concentrated on restorative dentistry and cosmetics were starting to become a reality, and dentists today have developed many other skills that are necessary to run a successful office. The push towards technology in the dental practice has redefined the roles that dentists serve. Some of the new roles that have entered into dental practice include the following:

Systems Integrator
There are many different components to the high-tech dental practice. In many offices, these include computers, networks, practice management software, image management software, digital cameras, intraoral cameras, digital radiography, scanners and printers. In almost every case, dentists are adding these components in stages, which require a significant investment of time to find the parts that will all work together. Dentists can work with consultants and integrators to assist in this process, but the final responsibility still lies with the dentist to find compatible systems. A mistake can be very costly. Dentists can often spend $40,000–$50,000 to upgrade their offices only to discover that certain software programs don’t work properly together.

Community Service Activist
As the Internet becomes part of our everyday life, more and more dentists are beginning to realize the advantages of online communication with their colleagues. There are numerous online meeting places available to dentists that allow them to share information with colleagues and referring offices. Some of the more popular locations are the Internet Dental Forum and Dental Town. These forums serve many purposes. First and foremost, they allow for an exchange of information between dentists. If an office is considering a switch to a new impression material or composite, they can post a question on a board asking for opinions, often getting dozens of replies within 24 hours. Dentists can easily post digital images, such as x-rays and photos, and ask colleagues for assistance in diagnosis and treatment planning. Dentists should be aware, obviously, that not every person who posts on these boards is completely objective. Many of these boards are frequented by reps of the various companies and, unfortunately, some do not identify themselves as such. Dentists should be cautious about any information they receive and do the necessary research to get additional opinions and comments.

Web Site Author
Most dentists have come to realize the advantages of having a Web site. There are many reasons for dentists without a Web presence to consider this move. A Web site can act as the initial point of contact for a new patient who is looking for a dentist. Offices with Web sites are often considered to be progressive and up to date. Depending on the design of the Web site, it can allow for a fair amount of interaction from patients. Patients can check on the status of insurance payments, view their next appointment, request new appointments and get directions to the office as well as read about payment policies.

There are companies that will do most of the design work for you, but dentists should still be responsible for writing the “copy,” the words that will be used in different sections of the site. Most people are savvy enough to realize when a site has a canned look and isn’t customized for that particular office. To get an idea of how to properly design a site, do a search on Yahoo (www.yahoo.com) or Google (www.google.com) to see the sites of other offices. It won’t take long to discover what looks appealing and what does not.

The days of dentists confining themselves to their operatories and worrying only about crown preps and margins are fast disappearing. To be competitive, dentists need to learn the skills and incorporate the modern technology that will separate their practices from the dentist down the street. By investing in the proper equipment and training, offices will be well positioned to keep up with new technologies as they appear in the next few years.

Lorne Lavine, DMD is the Founder and President of Dental Technology Consultants. Dr. Lavine holds two prestigious certifications, the A+ Certified Technician designation and the Network+ Certified Professional. These designations demonstrate proficiency in computer repair, operating systems, network design and installation. Dental Technology Consultants provides dentists a full range of services relating to the implementation of technology.

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Dr. Lavine can be reached at drlavine@thedentistsnetwork.net.

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