Decreasing Dental Visits = Decreasing Income?

I came across some interesting long term trends in the latest issue of the ADA News.  The data is derived from the ADA's Health Policy Resource Center.

The number of dentist visits is declining, especially for adults.  This seems to be a slow, long term trend, even with an increasing and aging population.  Yes, the decrease was aggravated by the recent recession, but the data suggest there are factors in place even before that.  Children's visits were more stable and seem to have recovered closer to pre-recession levels.  Over the ten year period, visits by children with very low income families (likely on Medicaid which covers dentist visits) rose from 26% to 36% perhaps dampening the effect of children's visits.

Notice that general dentist income (who primarily see adults) and dental visits trends seem to follow each other fairly closely.

"Fewer Adults Visiting the Dentist," ADA News, Volume 44, No. 6, March 18, 2013.

Dental School: Preparation, Survival and Success Now Available

My new book, "Dental School: Preparation, Survival and Success" is now available.

Many times on this blog, people have asked questions about the dental school experience.  They have asked, "How do I get into dental school?"or, "What courses should I take?"  I have compiled answers to these and many more questions into my new book.  It will be available on Amazon starting about February 1st 2012.

Have you ever wanted to become a Dentist or Orthodontist?  This book covers not only how to get in, but what dental school is really like, how to excel, and how to succeed the difficult years of study. Postgraduate residency in specialties like Orthodontics, Oral Surgery and Pediatric Dentistry are covered in addition to business aspects of the profession and options after graduation including sitting up a practice and employment opportunities.  I have also included a section on The Internet, Dentistry and Social Media.

If you or anyone you know is considering dental or medical school, or you just want to find out what it takes to become a dentist, this book will provide lots of answers.  I have included data on tuition and financial costs, the DAT, in addition to personal experiences and advice.

The foreword is written by Dr, Nido Qubein, the president of High Point University.

Please purchase the book and write a great review!  Here is the link:

"Dental School: Preparation, Survival, and Success"http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615507891

The Future of Dentistry: Technology

How will technology affect dentistry?  Well, technology is already playing in increasingly important role in this age old profession.  Here are the major developments I foresee:

1.  Diagnostic technology such as digital radiography (x-rays) will continue to become more common. Digital Panoramic and intra-oral x-ray machines will completely replace chemical films and developing.  Computerized image management software will be able to store, display and enhance digital images.  3-D imaging will become more common.  Instead of several intra-oral films, panoramic and cephalometric x-rays, yucky impressions for models and photographs, there may only be the need for one imaging machine or technology which can do all of the above.  Computerized diagnostic software will be able to detect and identify decay and other anomalies and pathology

2.  There will be continuing development of information technologies for the business and record keeping end of dentistry.  As in most health businesses, physicians offices, hospitals, etc., there will be even further incentives for electronic medical records (EMC), computers in the dental office for scheduling, management of financial and patient records, and insurance claim filing.  Ipads, flat screen TVs, and digital entertainment will become more common.

If you are in doubt about the impact of robotics in medicine and dentistry, check out how wearable robotics developed by the military are helping paralyzed individuals walk:

                                 click photo for link: Wearable Robots help Paralyzed warriors walk again

3.  Laboratory technology, which I have often viewed as remaining in the dark ages using proven but old techniques, will transition to CAD/CAM (Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacture).  This may manifest as in office or laboratory fabrication of crowns and other prostheses by computerized milling machines and digital printers.  Intra-oral cameras will advance to be able to easily take virtual impressions of teeth and transmit the information for production.

4.  Currently lasers are used for soft tissue surgery and some hard tissue preparation.  A little further into the future, there may be new devices to more efficiently and simply prepare (drill) teeth for fillings, crowns and other things with more precision and less effort.

5.  Diagnosis of at-risk patients, targeting medications to particular problems will become more sophisticated.  The use of DNA techniques in diagnosis and treatment will continue to advance.  A caries vaccine?  -They have been talking about that one for 20 years so I do not anticipate an effective vaccine in the near term.  Techniques to replace teeth with laboratory grown teeth for a patient's own DNA or tissues may become a reality.  Advances in oral surgery including nanotechnology in the targeting of cancer cells will enable less traumatic and more successful treatment of these debilitating and often fatal diseases.

6.  Newer techniques of anesthesia and the development of new medications will make dental care even more pleasant and comfortable.  Safer and more effective sedative agents and/or advanced anesthesia techniques will enable any surgical procedure to be completed more easily for the patient and the doctor.

What might all this mean for the practicing dentist?  Well, you cannot say that just because a great technique exists that it will be incorporated into daily routine practice.  There are so many other things to be factored into the equation.  Financial issues and/or insurance may or may not pay enough to make these technologies feasible.  Patients may not be willing to cover the increased cost to use a $100,000 machine to do just a few minor procedures.  I do know many of these technological advances will make dentistry more efficient.  There may be a need for fewer laboratory technicians, but the ones remaining will be skilled in these new techniques.  There may even be a reduced need for as many dentists as each dentist becomes able to accomplish more treatment.