Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technology have seen major breakthroughs, particularly in the world of gaming. But did you know that these technologies also have potential benefits in the dental industry?

According to the World Health Organization, around 3.5 billion people suffer from oral diseases.

The COVID-19 pandemic had an intense impact on the global economy and healthcare system — including the dental industry. In the early days of the pandemic, dental offices were forced to close except for emergency procedures, while other businesses quickly shifted to a work from home setting to continue their operations.

In the dental industry, where person-to-person contact is required, safety is the top priority for both patients and dental staff amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The American Dental Association (ADA) reported a 38% decrease in dental spending in 2020, and as COVID-19 cases continue to spike, the ADA predicts an additional 20% decline in dental spending in 2021.

But, as the dental industry continues to experience challenges, these 2021 dental industry trends may shine a light for dental practitioners around the world.

Over the past years, artificial intelligence (AI) has been making breakthroughs in the healthcare industry. However, some dental professionals meet the thought of working with robot dentists with a mixture of amusement and fear. But the truth is, AI is helping dentists discover new and effective ways to improve their practice and provide better care to their patients.

Businesses around the globe, including those in the dental industry, felt the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some companies were forced to shut down, while others switched to a work from home setup to keep their operations afloat. Dental clinics, however, didn't have a choice but to temporarily halt their operations to prevent staff and patients from being infected.

The evolution of dental technology has improved the way dental clinics operate. Practice management software streamlines processes such as billing, patient scheduling, and reporting, while 3D imaging and laser dentistry provide patients with more accurate diagnoses and better treatment options.

Dental diagnostics have advanced over the past years, with new technology improving the way dentists and their staff diagnose and treat patients. However, many dental clinics are still figuring out how to implement new diagnostic technologies to see a positive impact on their staff, patients, and bottom line.

As a dental practitioner, you should know that workplace dynamics directly affect employee morale, which, in turn, affects your bottom line. Does your dental clinic have a good company culture that encourages productivity in the workplace? Here are some questions to ask yourself so you can identify areas of your practice that need improvement.

Technological advances in the field of dentistry are changing the way dental professionals provide service to their patients. Laser technology, 3D printing, and digital scanning are allowing dentists to diagnose, treat, and perform procedures with better precision.

Dental clinics handle a large amount of patient data known as protected health information (PHI). PHI is private information in medical records that is used to identify a specific individual, and is disclosed during a patient's diagnosis or treatment. This includes:

Address
Date of birth
Phone number
Email address
Social Security number
Medical history
Mental health condition
Laboratory tests and results
Insurance information

As a dental health provider, it’s your responsibility to ensure your patients’ information is safe and handled properly.