In the world of dental hygiene, we commonly refer to routine follow up exams with patients as ‘recall’ appointments. More appropriately, these can be considered re-care exams, as our patients aren’t recalled per se, rather compassionately re-cared for through the ongoing monitoring and maintenance of their oral health.
The dental industry in Canada is evolving. With over 24,000 dentists and 14,000 practices across the country, today’s market is highly saturated and fragmented. The fragmentation, along with increased expectations of consumers, has given rise to a new business model: Dental Service Organizations (DSOs). DSOs can be thought of as independent business support centers that contract with dental practices to facilitate further growth and success.
It’s been said that there is no health without mental health—the truth of this statement is difficult to refute. Mental illness presents a serious barrier to receiving good health care and dental care is no exception. The enormity of this public health concern becomes clear when you consider that, at any moment in Canada, mental health issues impact 1 in 5 people; that’s 20% of dental professionals and 20% of patients in need of oral health care. Oral health and mental health issues cannot ....
The dental patients we once knew are a thing of the past – much like your old flip phone. Today’s patients are tech savvy, well educated and likely to have researched all of their symptoms and dental treatments prior to arriving in your chair. In today’s competitive landscape, dental care professionals need to inform and engage patients in a way we never could before. We need to be prepared to filter through the myths (and truths) they are reading online and educate them in a patient specif...
As a practicing dental hygienist, I focused on the delivery of patient-centred care, avoided the financial and operational aspects of a dental practice, and had no need for business acumen. Over time working in dental clinics, my interests and horizons expanded, and I became more and more fascinated by the economic underpinnings of an oral health care clinic. However, as a practice consultant, I find myself seeking the bigger picture. I am intrigued by a practice’s foundation, culture, patie...
In July 2017, Public Health Ontario closed the first dental practice in Ontario due to an Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) lapse. Dental offices had not yet faced this kind of IPAC audit, and the regulatory bodies were caught off guard as well. The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO) and the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario (CDHO) were alerted to the fact that regulated health professionals had been involved in the delivery of instruments that may not have been ...
Now more than ever, dentists, like all new professionals, are prioritizing work-life balance and overall well-being. This is having a profound impact on their ambitions and career choices. Unfortunately, with unprecedented debt loads burdening most dental grads, there is overwhelming pressure to start working (and earning income) as soon as they become licensed. The desire for balance and the pressure to work makes choosing the right career path all the more important. Navigating that choice...
With the rise of clear aligner therapy in dentistry, it has become increasingly common for general practitioners (GPs) to provide orthodontic services like Invisalign. Offering orthodontic services is a differentiating factor for general practitioners and can help set practices apart in today’s highly competitive market.
With September and the launch of a new school year, we inevitably begin to think about learning and education. When it comes to facilitating the learning and development of new healthcare professionals, mentoring is noted as being a key mechanism to accomplish this goal. While mentoring may not be as prevalent in dentistry as it is in other health professions, the principles and expected benefits are equally applicable and relevant.
In today’s digital world, your website is your primary marketing tool – whether you like it or not. A recent study showed over 80% of Canadian consumers use a digital device to locate and/or validate a business online before making contact. That percentage skews much higher in younger audiences and it’s growing every year.
