Several dentists predict that the industry will see increased adoption of technology, more DSO consolidation and enhanced training for staff.
Five dentists recently spoke with Becker's about their predictions for dentistry this year and some of the changes they hope to see.
Note: These responses were lightly edited for clarity and length.
Question: How do you think the dental industry will evolve in 2024? What changes do you hope to see?
Phillip Isaacman, DDS. Bluff City Dental (Memphis, Tenn.): I think the industry as a whole is headed toward more consolidation. That makes sense, as there’s strength in numbers. What I hope to see is more legislation, like in Massachusetts, that holds dental insurance companies accountable.
Scott Pearl, DMD. Pearl Dental Care (Hamden, Conn.): I expect to see dental school graduates increasingly join DSOs. I think dentistry will evolve by making care delivered more efficiently with the help of 3D printing and scanning. I hope to see insurance companies address inflation by updating patient benefits to 2024 dollars.
Ronald Perry, DMD. Longwood Dental Group (Brookline, Mass.): I wish I could predict the future, but I cannot. However, I do see certain trends happening in dentistry, such as with technology integration, i.e., artificial intelligence, 3D printing and digital imaging. These will lead to better diagnostic and treatment planning for the total patient experience. I also see more focus on preventive and personalized dentistry catering to the individual needs of the patient. I think there will be more patient-centered approaches by dental providers with education and patient involvement. This will also lead to more collaboration with other healthcare providers. We will see continued advancements in restorative dentistry with materials and techniques. Overall, I see positive developments in dentistry and innovations that contribute to a more comfortable and less stressful experience for the patient and the clinician.
Raj Puri, DDS. Smiles Dental Center (Ill.): I think the dental industry is changing rapidly and a lot of the owner dentists are trying to keep up. I especially see this with technology. In 2024, I think the offices that use AI, intraoral scanning and third-party billing/scheduling companies will grow faster and with less friction. We will see more offices invest in training their team since there are so many team members with little to no dental experience, and the hiring pool will get a lot better. As for DSOs, I believe they will buy/build more offices in 2024 at a rate faster than the last three years, and single-owner practices will need to expand their offices into a group practice model. DSOs are here to stay, and we can learn a lot from the good ones on their systems, training and what technology they intend to implement.
Robert Trager, DDS. Dentist at JFK Airport (New York City): I believe that AI will be the new panacea recommended to us for practice management in 2024. I have been in practice for over 57 years and have existed without it. I am sure it will help many DSOs and large dental practices. After all these years, I have been successful in reading X-rays and managing my three practices when I had them. Now, I am only down to one practice. AI will be successful in interpreting X-rays for cancer of the lungs, pancreas and other organs. As a dentist, after all these years with some trials and errors, I have been able to determine a carious lesion and/or an adumbration (a cervical radiolucency on an anatomical basis). I'd rather continue being a hands-on dentist than rely on AI and computers to diagnose dental diseases. I fear that we will have a generation of dentists who will rely on AI and other technologies to solve their problems without being able to use their own innate skills and experience.