Dentistry has always been a diverse and highly rewarding profession. There are many career pathways to take and various clinical fields in which to specialise if you so wish. The profession is constantly evolving, with new research, materials and technologies reaching the market every single year. Looking ahead, there are various aspects that have the potential to shape the future of dentistry. It is essential that dentists are exposed to as many of these as possible as soon as they qualify in order to make the very most of the benefits available to patients.
A full-body approach
Modern dentistry is about much more than simply improving a patient’s dental health. Dental professionals and their teams are charged with enhancing all aspects of a patient’s health and quality of life, putting prevention first wherever possible. Any dental treatment must also be planned and executed with systemic health and personal preferences in mind – nothing should be delivered in isolation.
We have seen this holistic or comprehensive approach to dentistry grow in popularity in recent years and it is set to become even bigger in the years to come. It follows a growing demand from younger generations around the world who prioritise health and wellness, and actively seek services that support their general wellbeing. Though more research is needed in the field, emerging studies suggest that holistic care could improve young adults’ engagement with and perception of healthcare.[i]
Aside from meeting expectations of modern patients, comprehensive dentistry also promotes the links between oral and systemic health. As the NHS campaign aims to highlight,[ii] this helps to put the mouth back into the body and encourages people to understand how one influences the other. This is a key aspect of dentistry for the future, where a more integrated approach will be crucial for enhanced health outcomes and more effectiveness service delivery.
Teledentistry
Another way in which dental care can become more effective and efficient, is with the increased uptake of teledentistry. Dental professionals began employing the concept during the pandemic out of necessity, but it continues to afford advantages for practices and patients alike. Being able to conduct initial consultations remotely streamlines the professional workflow and means more patients can be seen in the same time, overcoming some of the major challenges in the dental and healthcare systems.[iii]
It is a solution that patients seem to readily accept,[iv] demonstrating their affinity to more convenient care services. There is also an argument to be made for building relationships with anxious or phobic patients in this way, engaging with them in the first instance while they remain in familiar surroundings. There is early evidence to show that remote consultations may help to alleviate some of the anxiety experienced by these patients.[v] [vi]
Digital dentistry
In fact, various forms of digital dentistry have the potential to continue revolutionising the dental profession and the way that patient care is provided. Digital tools are being used for so much more than improved patient education and communication. They have become – and will continue to be – integral to the delivery of high-quality, predictable and comfortable dental treatment.
Clyde Munro Dental Group wants to ensure that dentists in the first 5 years of their careers are able to utilise the benefits of digital solutions. That’s why, as part of the Flying Start Programme, participating newly qualified dentists had a fantastic opportunity to visit the Dentsply Sirona Innovation Centre in Bensheim, Germany. Here they discovered the latest digital solutions on the market and learnt how to make the very most of the features on offer and how to troubleshoot any issues they are facing. The ultimate goal was to help clinicians deliver the highest standard of patient care, while boosting their competence and confidence while using industry-leading technologies in practice.
Delegate Dr Stuart Collier, commented: “It’s been a really interesting day to see all the new technology. This included the new PrimeScan, the new intraoral scanner that has just came to market, and the CEREC, which I don’t have in the practice just now, so that was brand-new to me and really interesting.”
The dentist of the future
Dentistry will look different in the future, but the ultimate goal will be the same – to enhance the health and wellbeing of patients. As treatment approaches and technologies change, it’s important for dentists to remain abreast of the latest innovations right from the beginning of their career. Only then will they be able to provide the best care for their patients.
To find out more about the Flying Start Programme and career development opportunities available at Clyde Munro, please visit https://careers.clydemunrodental.com/flying-start-programme/.
Author: Callum Graham, Chief Clinical Officer
[i] Whitehead R et al. Youth health services: Reviewing the benefits of a holistic approach. Edinburgh: NHS Health Scotland; 2018. https://dera.ioe.ac.uk/id/eprint/34165/1/youth-health-services-reviewing-the-benefits-of-a-holistic-approach.pdf [Accessed November 2024]
[ii] Doshi M, Patel J. Putting the mouth back into the body. British Journal of Hospital Medicine. May 2017; 78 (5);244-245.
[iii] Fornaini C, Rocca JP. Relevance of Teledentistry: Brief Report and Future Perspectives. Front Dent. 2022 Aug 5;19:25. doi: 10.18502/fid.v19i25.10596. PMID: 36458271; PMCID: PMC9675631.
[iv] Saraswati S, Bhowmick D, Upasana K, Pravin KS, Srivastava S, Smita. A Study to Assess Patients’ Perception and Acceptance of Teledentistry for Care During the Covid-19 Pandemic. J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2022 Jul;14(Suppl 1):S511-S513. doi: 10.4103/jpbs.jpbs_77_22. Epub 2022 Jul 13. PMID: 36110795; PMCID: PMC9469422.
[v] Ritson, Zoe & Wilson, Katherine & Girdler, Nick. (2022). Remote consultation: a person centred approach for anxious dental patients. Faculty Dental Journal. 13. 68-73. 10.1308/rcsfdj.2022.16.
[vi] Stangvaltaite-Mouhat L, Stankeviciene I, Martinussen SSS, Sabataitis V, Sandjord C, Toresen I, Tryggestad MS, Puriene A, Johnsen JK. Web-Based Interventions Reduced Dental Anxiety among Adults in Lithuania and Norway: A Pilot Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Feb 14;20(4):3343. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20043343. PMID: 36834035; PMCID: PMC9966357.
