The Big Picture Dental technology is better than ever, and new surgical treatments are always on the horizon. Yet, for many, even the most basic care is out of reach. More and more dentists are taking advantage of cone beam and CAD/CAM, which means shorter chair times for patients and more precise results. And, while 3D printing is still relatively new, some dentists believe it could eventually make milling obsolete. Today, we only print plastic, says Michael Fulbright, DDS, owner of Fulbright Cosmetic and Reconstructive Dentistry, Redondo Beach, California. As the materials catch up to the technology, I expect well eventually move away from milling and start printing porcelain crowns and implants. And thats only the beginning. Recently, a Tufts University team constructed a cellular matrix that allows successful implantation of a tooth bud into a pigs jaw, according to Thomas Hirsch, DDS, the owner of a Malibu, California-based dental practice and founder of Isolite Systems, currently Zyris. Under their design, early adult-stage teeth develop within five months, he says. Researchers project that humans wont profit from these developments for another ten years. But, the exciting progress hints at options once believed to be impossible. But, not everyone is - or will be - privy to options such as these. A good number of patients miss dental appointments, often for several reasons, according to John Barnes, DDS, government affairs clinical chair, Pacific Dental Services. The obstacles limiting access to dental care include cost of care, patients lack of perceived need and possibly limited oral health care resources in some rural areas, he explains. Many patients are episodic patients, meaning they seek care when they have a problem and dont understand the value of preventive care on a continuing basis. When a problem does arise, however, it is typically expensive to resolve. The good news is that with the rise of DSOs over the past decade, large, multi-site dental practices are learning to operate more efficiently to address a broader range of patients and needs. To deliver great care, the people within an organization must feel compelled to serve others, according to Bill Becknell, CEO, Mortenson Dental Partners. They must be clear on the vision of the DSO and their role in supporting that vision, he points out. For a DSO to be truly efficient, however, several factors must be in place, he points out: culture, clarity and talent development. In this issue, EGP has reached out to a number of experts on several topics. Each article provides a snapshot of the industry. Together, however, they paint a much larger picture of dentistry - the direction in which its headed and the role DSOs can and will play.
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