Across the profession, things continue to change. Digital dental innovations are the driving force behind many changes to workflows in practices across the country. It’s important to understand the ways in which digital solutions can be implemented, and what they mean for yourself, your team, and your patients. Digitisation within imaging, diagnosis, and communication all play a key role in streamlining workflows as well as improving your patients’ experiences. To make the very most out of a digital workflow, incorporating this technology in all aspects of the practice, including the treatment centre, will be beneficial.
Smooth workflows for you and your team
Using digital solutions in your practice benefits the whole dental team. Oftentimes, less time needs to be spent on administrative tasks when a digital system is used. For example, intraoral scanner image files can be sent digitally, as opposed to sending physical impressions by post. Plus, when sharing equipment or discussing cases within the practice, digital systems accommodate this, making it far easier to collaborate with other dentists.[i]
Digital workflows are designed with ease-of-use in mind, and are often time-saving solutions. This means that new systems are generally more intuitive, and easier for the whole dental team to pick up on. When a team is confident using modern technology, your practice is future-proofed, ready for any further digital technology you’d like to introduce. With this confidence, the likelihood of errors during the patient’s journey is far reduced, for a more reliable experience.
Consistency across the practice
While individuals must prioritise which areas of digital dentistry to invest in first, based on the unique requirements of the dental practice, aiming for a seamless digital workflow helps to keep all processes consistent and integrated. An intraoral scanner, for example, may be used to produce digital impressions which inform a patient’s treatment options. By having all digital imaging available in one place, as opposed to a mixture of analogue and digital variations, fewer mistakes are likely to be made, and treatment decisions will be more predictable and reliable.
By incorporating digital advancements across all areas of your practice, you offer patients a seamless journey, supported by the latest technology. This is even appropriate in areas you may not immediately think of, like your treatment centre. It’s important that this key piece of equipment offers exceptional patient comfort and ergonomic working for you and your team, however, integrated technology could offer additional tools to support treatment acceptance and communication.
The best approach for every patient
Digital solutions, in general, have the ability to enhance communication between patients and dentists. Imaging, in particular, allows dentists to clearly show their patients exactly what they can expect during their treatment. This makes patients feel more included in decision making, and gives them the information they need to ask questions and participate more actively in their care.[ii]
Some research[iii] suggests that the use of digital solutions in the practice encourages trust. It is important to tailor every aspect of the care you provide your patients, this means selecting the best approach in each case. For some patients, using high tech solutions during their appointments will not appeal, but for others, it could be the difference between them accepting treatment or not. Clinicians should stay up to date on the latest technology – ensuring that they feel comfortable using it, and establish patient trust. This, in turn, can further boost treatment acceptance.[iv]
Upgrade and boost your practice
Implementing digital solutions across your practice is key for boosting the patient experience, and streamlining workflows – this includes your treatment centre. This piece of equipment is at the very heart of your dental surgery, and is in the perfect place to enhance communication with your patient. Clark Dental has over 49 years of experience in dentistry, and can make choosing the perfect solution for your unique surgery easy. The advanced Dentsply Sirona Axano treatment centre offers exceptional ergonomic features in addition to integrated digital functions such as the SiroCam AF+, Sivision monitor, and Smart Touch user interface. The Axano’s design is optimised to produce excellent workflows – from the initial diagnosis to case completion. Its Sivision monitor allows you to improve communication with your patients, helping them to actively engage in their treatment.
In many cases, digital solutions allow clinicians and their patients to get the most out of each appointment. Tools which enable clinicians to easily explain treatment plans to their patients are particularly helpful – enabling patients to get involved with their care. While it’s important to establish the areas which would most benefit from digital workflows in your practice, consider ways in which these solutions can boost patient satisfaction, improve treatment predictability, and increase treatment acceptance.
If you’d like to find out more about Clark Dental’s solutions, call the team on 01268 733 146, email info@clarkdental.co.uk or visit www.clarkdental.co.uk.
Author: Stuart Clark, Managing Director
Having grown up within dentistry, Stuart has developed an unparalleled understanding of the industry. He is a technical specialist in digital imaging, pulling on his extensive experience as a Technical Director for Schick Technologies. Stuart is also an expert auto-CAD surgery designer and dental equipment engineer.
[i] Lin, Chia-Cheng, et al. “Fully digital workflow for planning static guided implant surgery: a prospective accuracy study.” Journal of Clinical Medicine 9.4 (2020): 980.
[ii] CPD UK. The benefits of digital dentistry. Accessed October 23. https://cpduk.co.uk/news/the-benefits-of-digital-dentistry
[iii] Abdelhay, Nancy, Soni Prasad, and Monica Prasad Gibson. “Digital Dentistry Academy.”
[iv] Dentistry IQ. How to embrace digital dentistry in your dental hygiene practice. Accessed October 23. https://www.dentistryiq.com/dental-hygiene/career-development/article/14296860/how-to-embrace-digital-dentistry-in-your-dental-hygiene-practice
