You can always spot the dentists who have truly internalized a modern approach to dentistry. They're the ones who use technology in an integrated way to help them tell a story. These dentists are able to take their patients on a journey and build bridges from where their patients are to where they need to be.

They'll use an intraoral camera to show patients exactly what they see, do electronic charting in front of them and explain everything as they go. Having made their patients fully aware of their current reality, they'll use imaging technology integrated with digital X-rays to create a compelling vision for what's possible. These dentists will also get patients aligned with that vision, so that they feel enthusiastic about their possibilities and genuinely involved in their treatment. They'll support their case presentation with the strategic use of a patient education system – which automatically pulls up relevant education modules based on the case particulars. At the same time, they create value for the technology they use in clinical delivery, whether it's a laser or CEREC, to ensure that the patient fully understands the incredible benefits of these advances.

For these dentists, technology is in the DNA of the practice, indistinguishable from the other "standard equipment" of the profession. They see technology for what it has become – as fundamental to the practice of dentistry as the chairs and handpieces – and they take a comprehensive, holistic approach to integrating the best technology into the practice in the most coherent way.

The days of the piecemeal approach, when technology was a means of supplementing "traditional" dentistry, are over. The truly modern dental practice is a "smart practice" with neatly integrated technologies that create a seamless effect.

If you haven't achieved this yet, it's time for a plan. It's time to create a vision for the kind of practice you want and a strategy for attaining it. This plan starts with having an understanding of how technology can enhance, improve and streamline the patient experience from start to finish.


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Comments

Commenter's Profile Image Barry Polansky
April 1st, 2013
At the risk of sounding like a Luddite, which I am not, I have some issues with some of the technology when used to "build bridges" from what is to what could be. Dentists untrained in the soft skills will lean on the technology and abandon the human touch. I see this often. There is no greater technology than the human brain. And there is no greater tool for vision than the mind's eye and the imagination. Dentists who are skilled in the use of language that paints pictures in the minds of their patients will always be more effective than those who lean on the tools (and they are quite expensive). Just my 2 cents. Thanks---could be a great discussion. Barry Polansky
Commenter's Profile Image Tom Hadley
April 1st, 2013
I have everything you can buy, Cerec, lasers, xray sensors, cameras, Caesy, etc. The problem is that the equipment is broken or out of date before you can get done paying for it. Patients and Patterson are the real winners, not dentists. Buyer beware of dental technology.
Commenter's Profile Image John Sweeney
April 1st, 2013
Nice Post Imtiaz.... I agree technology is now a very useful tool with patient education and getting them on board. I also agree with Barry, that the soft skills are just as, if not more important. When we use technology to tell a story we need to make sure they are in the right spots of the story to make it effective. If they are not, the patient can still become overwhelmed with information.... If we think about story books, we need just the right amount of words and well placed pictures to tell the story. Pictures, without words can sometimes leave us puzzled as well as words without pictures. We need to become masters at learning to use this techology to help us in our education of the patient and not use it as a krutch for poor communication skills. The case assistant through the digital platform has been great for our practice. I like to use this after I have already presented a case. It becomes another source of information for the patient that helps reinforce my diagnoses. Thanks, John
Commenter's Profile Image Barry Polansky
April 1st, 2013
Well said John. One of my strongest tenets of case presentation is to not have an agenda. The spotlight must continually be focused on the patient and their point of view. Sometimes we shift that spotlight on to the tools and the education when we should be focusing on the patient and where they are. Educating dental patients is way overrated...we should focus more on motivation. Barry
Commenter's Profile Image Barry Polansky
April 1st, 2013
Today is your day. To address Tom on his comment about technology: I to have been in the place you are describing. There is some good technology out there --- and some very overrated technology as well. It is expensive and yes, some companies don't back up their promises. Once it's in your practice...it's yours. That said -- I remember some quotes from the great philosopher Dr. Seuss: You're off to Great Places! You're off and away! You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.
Commenter's Profile Image Gary DeWood
April 1st, 2013
Wonderful comments! The first paragraph of Imtiaz's spot is the treasure - technology helps you do what you already do. The promise of any tool (technology) is its ability to make a job I am already good at easier, faster, or more fun. The "philosophy" of what my practice is, of what it does, of how it relates to patients has to be firmly established within the entire team before any tool can make anything happen. If there is a program or device that would have patients clamoring to say "YES" I haven't found it - BUT I take pictures because it helps patients see what I see, I use patient education sources to help patients better understand their choices, and I enjoy making CEREC restorations when they are appropriate because the patient can be part of the entire process and share my excitement in that process. For me personally Tom, whether or not it becomes out of date (which everything does) I know it will fit my systems and my philosophy at the time I install it, unfortunately I can only guess at what will be coming down the pike next so if it makes sense to me I go with it. I have been burned. In the early 1980s I was replacing my computers annually (or faster) to keep up with the software changes the company I was with kept making - and of course THEY were selling me hardware too. It's easy to get burned. I woke up really stupid one day many years ago and bought a Caridex machine - in hindsight, which is always 20/20, it did nothing to make anything I did better, easier, or faster. It did not fit into my plan for my practice (or my life) and I got sucked into the emotion of the moment - I should have laid down until the feeling passed. I believe that if you have a vision, a plan for where you are heading and where you want to end, technology is an excellent adjunct when it fits. When I buy things because they are "cool" or I think they will do something for me I can't already do, or make patients think of me differently - that's when I get frustrated and angry. When I "lay down" and evaluate with as little emotion as possible how this fits my philosophy and my plan, how it improves what I do, and how it fits into the economics of my practice - NOW it becomes an easy choice. As Barry quoted - "You are the guy who'll decide where to go".
Commenter's Profile Image John Sweeney
April 2nd, 2013
Nice posts everyone.... Tom, there are definitely times when I'm also frustrated with the technology I have and that something new comes out before it's paid for... However, in today's time, that's just a part of our life in general. Not just dental practice. When we buy a new IPHONE, a new and bettter one comes out before our contract is up. I bought a new macbook not so long ago and a month later, the retina display macbook came out. I bought a car two years ago and guess what... A new model came out that has more bells and whistles and mine is still not paid for... Patterson, Sirona, etc are not scheming to keep us in debt. I think it's just a sign of the times. What I have really started doing, was looking at my return on ivestment when making decisions to purchase new technology. For example, I have been a CEREC owner for 6 years and currently have the bluecam. Now, guess what, the omni cam is out. I really wanted one but I started to look at my ROI when compared to the bluecam I am very comfortable with. For me, I didn't see that it would make a huge difference in the quality of care I could provide or increase my return. In my opinion at the time, I just viewed it as a luxury that would be really nice to have. But, I just chose not to purchase. I will eventually purchase an upgrade when my current system is paid for. It's up to us to make smart choices with technology and not jump onto every new thing or feel that we have to......
Commenter's Profile Image Suraiya Shaikh
April 3rd, 2013
Technology is a great asset to dental practice !!! I bought a Cerec machine 5 years ago and have loved it since then I still have the Red cam and works for my practice perfectly . I have never regretted that decision , my patients love it and it gives me a chance to show them the whole process of making a crown . Patients these days are high tech patients with smartphones and they love any added technology to the practice . They always like to see the changes in the practice. Dentistry is a very evolving profession and great time to be there and see the significant changes coming through. Love to read your posts Imtiaz and look ahead of time ..