The world of dentistry is always evolving. Here’s why:
- Each year, new technologies – such as 3D printing – come out and change the industry
- Patient needs and expectations never stay the same for too long
As the dental industry evolves, so do the trends within it.
Right now, in the post-pandemic era, there are a lot of different trends emerging – and this guide is going to tell you all about them. Make no doubt about it, dentistry has changed forever.
Let’s take a look at 5 of the most exciting trends in dentistry that you need to know about.
1. High-Quality Adhesives
Denture adhesives are usually pastes or powders that are placed on dentures to keep them secure and in place.
Now, due to high patient expectations, dental practices are using high-quality adhesives to provide the best possible patient satisfaction.
As an example, this polymer company is providing adhesive formulations to many dental practices around the world so that they can do this.
2. Teledentistry
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, some big changes have taken place in dentistry. Arguably, the biggest of them all has been the introduction of teledentistry.
Teledentistry is when a dentist communicates with a patient via audio or video interaction. For example, a dentist might video call a patient who is currently living in a different city or country. The purpose of teledentistry is to provide consultations, diagnoses, and general information.
Moving into the future, teledentistry is expected to become an industry norm. This is a win-win situation for both parties: dentists get to speak to more patients, while patients don’t have to travel long distances or take time off work to see their providers.
Of course, there are lots of limitations that come with teledentistry – such as the inability to examine a patient’s teeth up-close – but future tech innovations will likely solve this.
3. Online Bookings
The average person now owns a smartphone. In response to this, many dentists are allowing patients to book appointments online rather than the traditional method of speaking to a receptionist over the phone. The main benefit of this is that it speeds up the booking process while wasting less time.
4. Cosmetic Surgeries
In the age of social media, lots of men and women are turning to dental practices for cosmetic surgeries. Examples include:
- Teeth whitening
- Botox
- Lip fillers
Although not every dental practice offers this, the number is gradually increasing.
Despite the fact that procedures such as Botox can be expensive, this isn’t enough to put patients off. Providing they’re within a reasonable price range, these procedures will remain in high demand.
5. Referral Programs
Last up in the list of trends is referral programs.
To gain more patients, lots of dental practices are offering referral programs (or initiatives). Usually, this will involve giving a discount or special offer to anyone who successfully refers a friend or family member.
Referral programs are also becoming more widely used by GPs, too – which shows how useful they can be.
