With 2020 fast approaching, new dental technologies will likely emerge and provide your dental office with new and innovative ways that improve business processes, optimize patient experience, and find more efficient ways to acquire new patients. Below are some of the top dental technology trends you should watch out for in 2020.
Teledentistry
Many people find it difficult to visit the dentist for various reasons. The elderly, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and people with special needs may not have the means to visit your dental clinic like the rest of your patients. Teledentistry can change all that. Having the means to offer some of your dental services over the internet can help those who don't have easy access to a dentist.
Teledentistry can allow your staff and your patients to set appointments online, eliminating the need to wait in line or be put on hold to schedule a consultation. This can also benefit individuals living in rural areas where there's a lack or absence of dental offices. Additionally, this technology will allow patients to consult with you online, and also enable you to create clinical notes that you can send out to other dentists at a click of a button.
Cloud storage and cloud backup
The cloud has been around for a long time, but unfortunately, a lot of dental offices have not yet taken advantage of this technology. Using cloud-based storage can help secure your patients’ private information. It also allows for less human error, which was responsible for about 48% of data breaches in the United States alone.
With the help of a trusted managed IT services provider (MSP), you can use the cloud to automate the backup process of your dental office to ensure all your data is safe and secure. Transitioning to the cloud also means you can ditch traditional desktop software and use cloud-based dental software instead. Not only will this help reduce expenses, hosting all your dental software solutions in the cloud will ensure they're up to date with the latest patches.
3D printing
3D printers are seen to be the biggest dental trend in 2020. This is because 3D printers can significantly reduce the manufacturing costs of certain orthodontic appliances and supplies. Other ways your dental office can benefit from a 3D printer include:
Creating orthodontic models
The traditional way of creating orthodontic models was to have patients bite down on specialized clay to create a dental impression of a patient. This is both uncomfortable and time-consuming. With a 3D printer, all you need is a digitized image of your patient's dentition to create an accurate orthodontic model.
Making dental repairs and restoration easier
Similar to the process mentioned earlier, you can use the scanned images of a patient's mouth to manufacture crowns, dentures, and bridges to replace or repair damaged teeth in a shorter amount of time. In the past, patients had to wait for weeks and make multiple visits to your clinic for such procedures to be completed. In addition, a 3D printer can even be used to construct specialized dental instruments, eliminating the need for you to buy the actual product.
Smart toothbrush
With smart devices found in almost every part of your home, it was only a matter of time until smart toothbrushes became part of it as well. The idea behind the smart toothbrush was to ensure you're using the correct technique in brushing your teeth. Sensors in the brush record your brushing habits and sends it to an app on your phone.
Information such as how long you brush, what areas you brush, how much pressure you use, and the angle of the toothbrush are all recorded. The app then provides you with suggestions on how you can improve your brushing to keep your teeth in tip-top condition.
As a dental practitioner, you should take advantage of the latest technological trends to ensure your clinic will continue to grow and stay competitive. Here at Pact-One, we will help you with your clinic's IT needs so you can focus on what matters most — your patients. Give us a call today to get a quote.
Dental IT. Remove the Burden. Embrace the Use.
Quality patient care – it's ultimately why you became a dental professional. But, some business operations can get in the way (such as pesky computer issues or lack of IT support). That’s where Pact-One Solutions can help! Our passion lies in supplying reliable, responsive dental IT support and security that practices can count on.
Whether you’re looking for dental IT services for your startup or searching for more responsive dental IT support – our team of dental IT specialists have you covered. With team members throughout the United States, we offer nationwide support to dental practices of all sizes. Our wide range of dental IT services ensure your data is secure, accessible, and protected.
Don't let technology challenges hinder your ability to deliver exceptional dental care. Contact us at info@pact-one.com or 866-722-8663 to join 350+ dental practices thriving with the support of a dedicated dental IT team.
