Patient Care Trends in Dentistry

Our predictions for 2021 trends in the dental industry regarding patient care. What we think will happen this year and beyond.

Either change with the world, or get left in the dust. Simply put, the world changes and smart industries change with it. Those that don’t…well, there’s a reason Blockbuster isn’t around anymore. We’ve been looking at trends over the last few years in the dental and medical industries. We’ve analyzed market trends, we’ve looked at technology trends as well. But now, let’s talk about where all these trends have a common nexus: patient care. That’s ultimately what dentistry — and every other medical industry — is about anyway.

How has patient care been changing over the last few years? How is it predicted to change this year and after?

Technology is helping dentistry become more comprehensive and more convenient.

“Technology” is a tough word. Anything built is technology, from a brick to a supercomputer, so it makes it hard to specifically talk about. But we have pinpointed some big ways that two types of technology are making dentistry more convenient, and more holistic for the patient.

The Internet has changed everything

• You can find information to diagnose tooth problems, home remedies, and much more. This enables patients to carefully assess their own dental health.
• You can book appointments and talk with dentists via websites, social media, and more. With this convenience, it takes less time than ever to make appointments and get treatment.
• There are myriad articles about proper dental care, from proper brushing technique to healthy diet for your teeth. Anyone can learn about holistic tooth health without spending a dime.
• Dental insurance is also available online, making sign-up and registration easier than ever.

What are our predictions for these current trends? Things will continue to get more convenient. Tooth health apps/websites to keep brushing and dental visit calendars, and teledentistry via virtual reality are in the near future for many.

3-D printing

No longer do prosthetics have to be measured carefully and designed in a lab over weeks. Dental offices can now print an implant, bridge, or other prosthetic in hours. This means there is potential to be diagnosed and then treated in the same day.

What do we predict for the future of 3-D printing in dentistry? As the technology improves, implants will get better and better, not to mention cheaper. There may come a time when 3-D printed teeth are a preferable replacement for the real thing. For oral surgery, we can envision dentists printing parts of jaw bones and more that integrate with a patient almost perfectly.

Group dental practices

Many new dentists don’t want to set out on their own and start a practice. Taking all the risk of starting a business, even a medical one, is serious. In this manner, new dentists can share investment costs, like equipping a new office, hiring staff, permits, construction, and more. Finally, the group can collaborate and pool their collective knowledge to ensure the best care is available to prospective patients.

How does this benefit patients? Well, a patient can have a plan with one office that includes multiple types of dental professionals. One can be a general dentist, who does check-ups, x-rays, and cleanings, another could be an oral surgeon for serious issues, and one may focus on family dentistry. This collection of professionals is great for the consumer, as it means that her/his dental office is a one stop shop, whether they need care for their children, surgery for themselves, or a normal semiannual check-up.

Let us be your dentists this year

Looking for the best dental care in Texas? Josey Lane is here for you. Our services include preventative, restorative, cosmetic, sedative, and emergency dental care. We pride ourselves on being the best in Carrollton Texas, and we’d like you to come experience it for yourself. Let us know how we can help today, and we can ensure you the best care possible.