Should dentists lower their fees when digital technology lowers the costs?
Much like the rest of the developed world, the dental industry is experiencing a digital revolution. For practice owners, this means lower overhead, and a question of whether to pass the savings on to patients or simply consider it increased profit. Should dentists lower their fees when digital technology lowers the costs?
Lasers are now being used in both diagnosis and treatment. Dentists are using “soft tissue lasers” for minor gum surgery but down the road, they may hand these procedures over to computers. “Hard-tissue lasers” could ultimately replace whining high-speed dental drills, removing tooth decay with the aid of tiny, digitally-controlled mirrors. However, the hefty price tag on these devices will have to come down before they are widely used. A more futuristic outlook could include nanobots. Some of these microscopic machines might restore or straighten teeth, deliver anesthesia during oral surgery, diagnose diabetes and other diseases, or treat oral cancer. Others may fight bacteria with products like a “wearable toothpaste” made of antimicrobial carbon nanotubes. But nanotech research is complex, and these developments lie far in the future, as human clinical trials would be necessary to determine both efficacy and safety.
Dentistry comes highly variable pricing across the globe however, the products used to provide services are from common manufacturers. This is quite similar when compared to other healthcare services globally (dentists lower their fees). So, when we adopt digital solutions in dentistry, we must consider all sorts of direct and indirect costs before we price our products and services. Broadly three types of costs are required to be considered: financial, time, and energy. Deep understanding of various costs associated with new technology allows us to take better decisions. Cost can be controlled by judicious selection of your service line, your vendor to provide technology, support and services, operational cost and consideration of unanticipated consequences, hidden costs, and unplanned strategies. Another possibility to have cost effective digital dentistry is by collaborating with likeminded colleagues within your locality with pre-defined framework of using the technology platform. This way many can strengthen the practice with minimum investment and maximum use of the technology.
