The Secret Sauce for Success in an Unstable Economy

Are you using your existing digital dental technology to its full capabilities? Those bells and whistles piqued everyone’s interest in the sales process. Get the advantages of using the robust feature set that defines premium digital dentistry, and don’t make assumptions based on out-of-date or lower-end equipment.

Use technology effectively and efficiently to increase chair time

For example, the complete offering of Planmeca CBCT units can capture true diagnostic bitewings at less dose than intraoral x-rays.* Turning the tried-and-true workflow of intraoral sensors over to the ease of extraoral imaging will be a game changer for patients and staff. Decreased time to capture images and eliminating the discomfort of digital sensors will immediately impact staff efficiency and elevate the patient experience. In addition, taking advantage of Planmeca’s True Extraoral Bitewing feature reveals more anatomy for more diagnosis and treatment.

Have visibility into the entire feature set of capabilities during the clinical review of all potential equipment purchases. Then, take advantage of what will bring value by incorporating it into the workflow and communicating it to the care team.

Keep more care in house to drive more revenue

Consider the impact of referrals and the lab fees on bottom-line revenue or overall earnings. Keeping more dentistry in-house with the purchase of a CAD/CAM system focuses on the efficiency of care - which is critical to expanding services and driving more revenue at a single location. Beyond the internal focus, same-day or chairside restorative care shows cognizance and appreciation of patient time.

Choose a CAD/CAM system with flexibility in both milling and material options. For instance, the versatile Planmeca FIT® system fits the bill for the entire workflow, from intraoral scanning to easy switching between wet or dry milling based on material choice. For expanded capabilities, the Planmeca FIT® Plus system with a five-axis mill produces full-arch cases, dentures, and surgical guides in-house, expediting the treatment plan and final result.

Additions of CAD/CAM technology can increase staff satisfaction by providing learning paths to level up their skills. Paired with intuitive interfaces and software with built-in coaching wizards, Planmeca CAD/CAM includes hands-on training for care staff at the Planmeca Digital Academy headquarters and in-office practicum. The partnership strategy for continuing education adds additional value to staff retention.

Measure your performance and track profitability

Don’t fly blind on production levels or expenses. The integration of networked technology can provide real-time insights into overall operations and equipment usage. Missing the mark with closed and disparate stand-alone systems can be costly. Instead, choose and utilize the benefits of technology that can provide data to allow for course changes and corrections.

Planmeca Romexis® Clinic Management software integrates all Planmeca equipment to measure efficiency and optimize chair-time capacity. A tool for multi-sites to measure quality and operations, including monitoring to ensure compliance to infection control standards, can benefit from built-in audit trails and data for quality control assurance. With the status of all the dental equipment functionality in an easy-to-access central database, operational teams can plan, leverage, and pivot making impactful decisions based on usage data.

Stay in shape for top performance

Out-of-order technology leads to empty chair time and open appointment slots. Continually rescheduling appointments due to failed equipment will lead to declining revenue as patients are inconvenienced and lose confidence in the standard of care. The initial review selection process should weed out inferior equipment or decisions based on cost alone.

Beyond the investment in superior equipment is the value of a relationship with the equipment manufacturer. The impact on productivity is too critical to daily production to leave to a transactional relationship. Planmeca provides a community to support, train, educate, and service its premium products, from corporate and field teams to collaboration with the leading dental industry dealer partners. An ongoing and committed relationship builds a sense of operational security.

Inflation, recession, or pandemic—dentistry remains strong. The ebbs and flows will continue. But be it emerging groups growing by acquisition or de novo trailblazers, the practices that properly leverage innovations to benefit their patients will have the secret sauce for success.

*According to “Dosimetry of Orthodontic Diagnostic FOVs Using Low Dose CBCT Protocol” by JB Ludlow and J Koivisto. Abstract 0920 presented at 2015 IADR/AADR/CADR General Session, Boston, Massachusetts.