Elsevier

Dental Abstracts

Volume 59, Issue 4, July–August 2014, Pages 191-192
Dental Abstracts

The Big Picture
Ch-ch-ch-changes

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.denabs.2014.03.008Get rights and content

Section snippets

Background

Ten years ago most dentists could not even imagine many of the technologic tools that are now in daily use. These include volumetric cone beam computed tomography, automatic SMS reminder messages to patients, advanced dental materials, space-age diagnostic tools, and a new understanding of dental disease. The term “Mission Critical” technology has been applied to these new approaches, but are all of these changes critical? Are they designed for improving care or as a gimmick?

Spreading the Word

Although most companies traditionally stuck to the proven winners in dental care, today both large and small companies are constantly on the hunt for something that will give them a competitive advantage. The dental industry then spreads the word about the latest and greatest directly or through sponsored continuing education presentations.

Testing the Claims

Dentists faced with such an array of new “toys” must remain alert to the possibility that these things may not reflect good science, proper ethical standards, or improved patient care. In the enthusiasm of the moment, dental practitioners must take time to evaluate how these “toys” measure up to these standards. Do we really need dental implant systems that have not passed through rigorous scientific study or laser treatments that have not undergone controlled clinical trials that prove they

What If We Don't Change

Should dentists jump on board to remain competitive or hang back awaiting the evidence? Historically dentistry has been slow to accept technologic changes. Today the world of dentistry is increasingly competitive, which is spurred on by the direct marketing of the dental industry to both practitioners and patients. If we don't embrace the digital revolution, implant technologies, and optical scanning, we will be seen as highly uncompetitive and perhaps even obsolete.

Clinical Significance

The

References (0)

Cited by (0)

Bartold PM: The technology revolution is here—are you prepared for it? Austral Dent J 58:389, 2013

Reprints not available

View full text