It’s a common misconception that large scale dental equipment is inaccessible for ordinary dental practices. However, in recent years, high-tech solutions, such as CBCT systems, have become far more affordable – bringing them within reach for far more businesses than ever before.[i] Those who do introduce CBCT scanners find that they are profitable, with the potential to recover their investment in three to four years’ time.[ii] Whether you’re providing orthodontic treatment, oral surgery, dental implants, or endodontics, it can be beneficial to have immediate access to extraoral diagnostic and imaging equipment which offers excellent imaging quality. Providing this service within your practice, as opposed to referring patients elsewhere for scans, presents a convenient and time-efficient solution. As such, clinicians should consider these factors when making decisions on where to invest in their business.
An increasingly affordable investment
On average, practitioners are able to cover the cost of a current CBCT system with just one CBCT scan per week. As an example, if the CBCT equipment is purchased over 5 years on finance, the finance payment is likely to be around £140-170 +VAT per week. Patients typically pay between £150-250 for a CBCT scan, so you can see that the outlay can be easily covered. This means that, if a practice currently sends out even one patient per week for a CBCT scan elsewhere, it will pay to have the CBCT device in-house.
As CBCT doses can be very low these days, it is likely that clinicians will often opt to take a CBCT scan once the device is in-house, to assist with effective clinical diagnosis and treatment planning, when they may not have done so in the past due to the inconvenience of travel and delay for the patient. Once the CBCT has been installed, the practice can attract additional revenue by acting as a scanning centre for other practices. All of these factors mean that the CBCT/OPG device can easily pay for itself and actually provide a useful new income stream for the practice.
Benefits for your patients and your practice
Having a CBCT system presents a number of benefits to both clinicians and patients. These appear through enhancing convenience, giving greater confidence in diagnostics, and increasing trust. Each of these factors work to improve the overall patient experience, with the technology able to streamline care by minimising referrals and treatment delays, leading to greater satisfaction and loyalty to the practice.
Convenience for patients
It’s important not to underestimate the impact that convenience can have on patient retention. In-house CBCT eliminates the need to refer to imaging centres or other dental practices for this purpose, saving patients time, travel, and reducing the need for additional appointments. A smooth experience, including this workflow type, is highly valued by patients.[iii]
Improved communication and understanding
The image clarity produced by CBCT scanning enables dentists to more effectively explain results – using the scan as a visual aid when describing their condition and any proposed treatment. This allows patients to clearly understand why their treatment is necessary, establish expectations for care and the likelihood of certain outcomes, and feel confidence in their dentist’s recommendations. Therefore, it’s far more likely that patients will accept the treatment and decide to proceed in-house.iii
Enhancing diagnostics for predictable outcomes
Where they are required in line with the ALARA principle, CBCT images facilitate more accurate diagnoses and precise treatment planning for complex procedures compared to other imaging types. As previously mentioned, these encompass dental implantology, endodontics, and orthodontics, as well as other oral surgery. As such, easy access to a CBCT imaging system means more predictable treatment outcomes can be provided with fewer delays, and with reduced complications.iii
Creating a positive patient experience
CBCT scans are a fantastic option for improving the patient experience, as they are quick and non-invasive, limiting anxiety when compared to the discomfort associated with longer or multiple imaging appointments.[iv] Considering the factors that may spike an individual’s anxiety and taking steps to limit them is key for ensuring that patients return for further appointments and recommend your practice to others.
Choosing equipment wisely
When you are looking for a system that offers 2D and 3D capabilities, it is wise to seek advice from the experts. Clark Dental provides a wealth of industry experience and a product portfolio to match! This includes the Orthophos SL imaging system. It produces excellent imaging quality, with the integrated Direct Conversion Sensor defining the standard for panoramic imaging, and Autofocus technology automatically producing an image with excellent sharpness.
Investing in a CBCT imaging system, and therefore reducing the need for referral outside of your practice, is a fantastic way to put yourself ahead of your competitors. It enables clinicians to more effectively diagnose and treatment plan, resulting in more predictable treatment, as well as improving patient communication – and, in turn, their trust and satisfaction. Further to this, the ability to carry out CBCT imaging in the practice improve convenience for patients, ultimately having a positive impact on their experience, and improving retention.
For more information call Clark Dental on 01268 733 146, email info@clarkdental.co.uk or visit www.clarkdental.co.uk
Author: Stuart Clark – Director Clark Dental Equipment Systems Ltd
[i] https://www.campbellacademy.co.uk/cbct-in-modern-dental-practice
[ii] Marcu, Maria et al. “Financial efficiency estimation for a dental radiology laboratory.” Medicine and pharmacy reports vol. 93,2 (2020): 200-209. doi:10.15386/mpr-1458
[iii] Serrano Amaya, D.A., 2024. Investigation of factors affecting patient retention in dental clinics using machine learning techniques.
[iv] Aromaden Dental Clinic. Exploring the benefits of CBCT scans in modern dental practices. Accessed Jan 26: https://www.aromaden.co.uk/post/exploring-the-benefits-of-cbct-scans-in-modern-dental-practices
