A digital takeover is a word you might have heard before in other industries. If you haven’t, a digital takeover is a process of digitally transforming an industry, making it rely on digital processes to get the job done. It’s only relatively recently that dentistry decided to apply this into their daily operations. Nowadays, digital tech is shaping the dental sector as we know it.
Websites
One of the most apparent platforms where dentists have relocated during the pandemic is websites. This is where most dentists market themselves and their services. Many of their websites have also become the front desk for their consumers.
Many dentists have joined and are planning to join the 1.88 billion websites that exist on the internet. For some, it was out of desperation. They can’t seem to get the same number of clients they did before the pandemic hit. For others, it was for adaptation. They can’t seem to beat digital dentistry, so why not join them?
Websites present one of the most powerful marketing tools in the world. It’s also a method of growth for most businesses. It creates a platform, and many companies struggle to make one, but anyone can create a platform through websites. However, there is one particular benefit that most people tend to overlook when it comes to websites, and that is their accessibility.
Before digital tech started to take over the dental industry, clients visited their local dentist clinic. They’d have to get a number or arrange a session beforehand. If they’re unlucky enough to visit the clinic at a busy time, they’ll have to come back another day. This is a common problem that most clients experience, and it hurts a dentist’s reputation. Most clients who experience this are unlikely to return to the clinic afterward.
However, dentists with websites have found that their client return rate is higher than ever. It’s because their accessibility has massively increased. Clients no longer have to visit their clinic to set a session. All they have to do is visit the website, and it’ll set it up for them. Some advanced websites can even do payment transactions for clients. This accessibility is crucial for many dental businesses during the pandemic, and it’s the prime reason so many have started their websites.
Digital Modeling
If you’ve ever been to the dentist for a physical impression of your mouth, then you’ll never know the discomfort that many people have been through. Physical impressions are invasive, and they can be painful at certain times. Many dentists have been planning to remove this service from their repertoire, but it’s only recently that they have the confidence to do it due to a rise in digital modeling.
Digital modeling has been used in various industries before. Primarily, it was used alongside 3D printing to create 3D models for prototypes in the field of engineering. It was known as rapid prototyping, and this gave the sector a new way to build multiple prototypes in just a year. Many in the field can now create cheap prototypes for testing. However, this particular digital tech also made it into the world of dentistry.
As was stated before, physical impressions are invasive procedures that many dentists want to remove from their services. Many dentists nowadays can now create digital impressions for their clients through digital modeling. This doesn’t require any molding or sculpting. Furthermore, it’s not an invasive procedure like physical impressions were.
By the end of the day, digital modeling has made dentist’s life easier. Now, they no longer have to manually sculpt a physical model for their clients, which increases their efficiency. For different orthodontists, they can use digital modeling for their products. This hastens their work and can help them produce more products than ever before.
Teledentistry
Teledentistry is shaping the world of dentistry as we know it. Before, many didn’t think it would be a big thing, but when the pandemic hit, the field of teledentistry changed everything.
If you’ve heard of a recent healthcare trend known as telehealth, then you might have heard of teledentistry. Essentially, teledentistry is the utilization of various digital platforms such as the internet and smartphones to give dental services such as consultations and check-ups- to people who need it, regardless of where they are. Suffice to say, this kind of dentistry can only do screening procedures, but it’s one of the best ways to do it.
Teledentistry can help dental clinics be more efficient. Clients no longer need to visit the clinic for follow-ups, consultations, and check-ups. All they have to do is open their smartphones, contact their local dental office, and do what they need to do at a moment’s notice.
The digital world has highly affected the world of dentistry. Now, the industry is more efficient and accessible than ever.