Here are six emerging trends for dental leaders to know regarding artificial intelligence, staffing, insurance and patient care:
1. AI adoption: Several DSOs have added AI technology in recent weeks to enhance patient care and improve operational efficiency, including DECA Dental Group, Great Expressions Dental Centers and Aspen Dental. DSO leaders have predicted that AI will become the basis with which all dentistry will be practiced, and that advancements will continue with AI diagnostic tools.
2. Payer scrutiny: Dental leaders and clinicians are pushing for increased oversight and accountability for insurance companies as challenges mount for practice operations and patient care. Several states are currently considering legislation related to dental loss ratios in addition to bills aimed at increasing payer transparency.
3. Private equity: As DSOs continue to gain investments and the number of dentists affiliated with private equity grows, states are considering legislation to enhance oversight. California recently passed a bill that expands the attorney general’s powers to take action against corporate entities that interfere with medical and dental practices. Pennsylvania also passed legislation to expand the attorney general’s authority to review and potentially block healthcare mergers and acquisitions. Additionally, Illinois is weighing a legislative amendment that would expand reporting requirements for healthcare transactions.
4. Medical-dental integration: DSOs and other organizations are continuing to advance medical-dental integration for the benefit of patient care. Last month, the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health partnered with healthcare AI company Innovaccer to link medical and dental data. It also launched a partnership with the National Association of Community Health Centers to support oral health integration at clinics throughout the U.S.
5. Patient behavior: Rising costs and other financial barriers are leading patients to be more cautious in their decision-making and place more emphasis on transparency and flexibility. Patients are also asking more questions to understand their options, requiring increased communication and adaptability from dental practices, leaders say.
6. Staffing legislation: State legislators are considering bills to boost the dental workforce to enhance care accessibility. Florida lawmakers are making another attempt at authorizing dental therapists, while New Mexico and Missouri are weighing interstate compacts. New York enacted legislation allowing hygienists to practice without the supervision of a dentist, and Maine Rep. Anne-Marie Mastraccio introduced a bill to expand the scope of practice for independent hygienists.
