Robotics, DSO consolidation and dental hygienist burnout are just some of the topics dental industry leaders spoke with Becker's about this month.
What we heard in April:
Robotics 'scratching the surface' in dentistry and digging deeper
Alon Mozes, PhD, co-founder and CEO of Neocis: The stereotype of the dentist is that they tend to be slower to adopt new things [and] technology hasn't really hit the dental market, but it's just not true anymore. Dentists are eager to adopt new technology, especially dentists that participate in this area of implant surgery. It's really such a high revenue opportunity [and] growing market for them that they're eager to differentiate their practice and figure out how to level up their skills.
2 DSO leaders on how the pandemic forced them to regroup
Roshan Parikh, DDS. President of Dntl Bar (New York City): For us at Dntl Bar, the pandemic was a double-edged sword. On one hand, in 2020, we saw our patient volume and subsequent revenue plummet to almost zero and looked at the possibility of decreasing our workforce. On the other hand, it gave us ample standstill time and forced our hand to look at new ways to rethink the patient journey. From that point, we started to look inside Dntl Bar at how technology can help augment to create a more seamless patient experience.
Why separating oral health from overall health is impossible
Julie Frantsve-Hawley, PhD. Executive Director of the TAG Oral Care Center of Excellence (Chicago): So intuitively when you think about oral health and your mouth, you think about smiling and eating. Oral health is really that and plus so much more. Smiling is a source of self-esteem and can really impact someone's emotional health. We know right now there's such a crisis in this nation with mental health issues, so being able to have that self esteem is really, really important. Eating is part of nutrition. When people cannot eat appropriately and have a well-balanced diet, it's gonna affect their overall health. We know that pain can impact people's ability to function. So kids at school aren't doing as well and aren't going to school. We also know that it impacts job performance and also having that smile and having that confidence actually impacts someone's ability to actually apply for and succeed in getting jobs. So that has an economic impact.
The complex reasons for falling practice ownership: 2 dentists weigh in
Robert Trager, DDS. Dentist for Airport Employees (New York City): Ever since [COVID-19], many dentists have walked away from their practice because of the [COVID-19] restrictions and loss of business without even trying to sell their practice. Many, if not most, of the recent dental graduates owe at least $200,000 or more in student loans and can't afford to buy or open their own practice. They feel comfortable working for a DSO, in my opinion (as a dental mercenary). They can work or transfer from one DSO or another without any restrictions. Eventually they will lack the skills of administrating, finance and marketing in order to either buy or open their own practice. They will end up with a false sense of security by working for these DSOs. Even when they finally pay off their loans, they will not have built up any equity or experience by not having their own practice.
What every dentist should consider before choosing a DSO
William Barrett. Partner and CEO at Mandelbaum Barrett PC: For the doctors, being part of a large organization is something that not everybody's equipped for. Remember, in most of these deals, especially now, what I see consistent on every letter of intent that hits my desk is a requirement of at least five years, full-time employment working for the DSO post-closing. So you're making a long-term commitment to be part of this business, part of this culture. For some doctors, it's not the easiest transition.
Where have all the dental practice owners gone?
Rich Gilbert, DMD. Private Practice (Bonita Springs, Fla.): More practice owners are leaving due to a shrinking bottom line for the average private practice owner. Rising operating costs, most significantly wage inflation, are unfortunately occurring simultaneously with decreasing insurance compensation in the form of both a decrease in reimbursement rates and an increase in downgrades and rejections of claims. Recently, corporate buyers dominate in practice acquisitions because they are able to offer a price higher than what a private buyer could borrow from a traditional lender — all to the long-term detriment of our profession.
The biggest challenge dental hygienists are facing
Jess Giebel. Professional Education Manager at OraPharma and Dental Hygienist: I think right now, just the lack of support and some burnout. Really right now, just going through the motions of what's expected, not having that support to fully educate patients on their healthy or diseased state. Also, [not] having the resources to fully empower the patient to take accountability for their current dental health state as well.