Oct 12, 2022

How to Prepare Your Dental Office and Staff for Digital Upgrades

Sarah Harris | Oct 12, 2022 | 8 min read
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It’s no secret that dentistry is becoming increasingly digitized. In fact, according to a recent study by the American Dental Association, nearly 70% of dentists/DSOs now use digital technology in their practices.

This trend toward digital dentistry is positive. After all, who doesn’t love having access to the latest and greatest technology? However, it can also be a bit daunting for those unfamiliar with these developments.

If you’re a dentist or practice owner thinking about switching to digital, you might wonder how to equip your office and staff for the change. Don’t worry; we’re here to help. We’ll give you tips on making the transition to digital dentistry as smooth and seamless as possible.

 

What Is Digital Dentistry?

Before we get into how to prepare for digital dental upgrades, we must first understand what digital dentistry is. In short, this term refers to using computer-based technology in dental care.

Digital dentistry can include anything from dental imaging software to CAD/CAM systems used to create dental implants, crowns, and bridges. Modern dental IT systems that help manage dental records and dental practice management software (PMS) are also considered part of digital dentistry.

 

Benefits Offered by Digital Dentistry

There are many reasons why dentists are making the switch to digital. For one, digital technology can help improve the accuracy of diagnosis and treatment planning. It can also lead to more efficient and effective dental procedures, saving time and money.

In addition, digital dentistry:

  • Enhances communication between dentist and patient
  • Increases patient satisfaction
  • Improves the ability to detect and treat oral health problems at an early stage
  • Reduces the need for follow-up appointments

As you can see, there are several reasons to consider switching to digital dentistry. But how do you go about accomplishing it? Here are some tips when preparing your office and staff for digital upgrades:

 

Review Your Current Technology

The first step is to investigate the current technology in your practice. This analysis will give you a good idea of what needs to be updated or replaced in your switch to digital.

During this review process, you should take inventory of all the equipment in your office, including:

  • Computers
  • Printers
  • Scanners
  • Digital X-ray machines

You should also assess your current software to see if it is compatible with new digital dental technology.

If you’re undecided about how to do this, you can always consult with a local dental IT support company that specializes in digital upgrades. They will be able to help you determine what needs to be changed to make your practice compatible with new digital technology.

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Investigate the current technology in your practice.

Educate Yourself and Your Staff on Digital Dentistry

When switching to digital dentistry, you must educate yourself and your staff. This way, each person will be on the same page and prepared for the change. Start by doing some research on the different types of digital dental technology that are available. There’s a lot of data out there, so you might want to consider:

  • Reading articles
  • Watching videos
  • Attending a conference or seminar

Once you understand the basics of digital dentistry, you can start looking into specific products or services that might be a good fit for your practice.

It would be best if you also took the time to educate your staff on digital dentistry. This way, they can be prepared to help answer any patients’ questions. You might want to consider holding a staff meeting to go over the basics of digital dentistry and what will be changing in your practice.

You should also ensure that your staff is comfortable using the new technology. If they’re not, it could lead to frustration and confusion. The best way to do this is to provide training on the latest software or equipment.

 

Invest in High-Quality Digital Dental Equipment

If you’re switching to digital dentistry, you need to make sure that you invest in high-quality equipment. This investment is important because you want to ensure that your patients get the best care possible.

When it comes to choosing digital dental equipment, there are a few things that you should keep in mind. First, you need to ensure that the equipment is FDA-approved. You also want to choose user-friendly equipment backed by a good warranty.

 

Find a Good Dental Software Company

Another important aspect of switching to digital dentistry is finding a good dental software company. This step is important because you must ensure that you have a reliable practice management software system to help manage your patient records and appointment scheduling.

There are many different dental software companies, so you’ll want to take your time to identify one that’s a good fit for your practice. When you’re looking for a dental software solution, you should consider:

  • The cost of the software
  • The features that it offers
  • The level of customer support that’s accessible

With the right dental IT support in place, you can be confident that your practice will be able to run smoothly and efficiently.

 

Be Patient During the Transition Period

It’s important to be patient when switching to digital dentistry. There will likely be a learning curve as you and your staff get used to the new technology.

You might consider gradually implementing the new technology, so everyone has time to adjust. For example, you could start using digital x-rays and slowly add other digital dental technologies.

It’s also vital to have realistic expectations during the transition period. There could be snags along the way, but if you’re patient and take things one step at a time, everything should eventually run smoothly.

 

Create a Digital Marketing Plan

If you want your dental practice to advance, you must ensure that you have a solid marketing plan — especially if you’re switching to digital dentistry.

There are many different marketing channels that you can use to reach your target audience. However, not all of them will be a good fit for your practice. You’ll need to take the time to research the different options and create a plan that is tailored to your unique needs.

Some of the most reliable marketing channels for dental practices include:

  • Search engine optimization (SEO)
  • Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising
  • Social media marketing
  • Content marketing

These are only a few marketing channels you can use to reach your target audience. You’ll need to take the time to find the ones that are most effective for your practice.

 

Stay Up-to-Date on Digital Dental Trends

To succeed with your dental practice, you must stay up-to-date on the latest digital dental trends. This education is important because you need to be able to offer your patients the latest and greatest treatments.

One recommended way to stay up-to-date on digital dental trends is to attend dental conferences and seminars. This approach will empower you to network with other dental professionals and learn about the latest advancements in digital dentistry.

In addition to attending dental conferences and seminars, you should ensure that you stay up-to-date on the latest news in the dental industry by reading dental trade publications. This reading will help ensure that you’re always aware of the latest trends so that you can offer your patients the best possible care.

 

Monitor the Progress of the Upgrades and Make Any Necessary Adjustments

Once you’ve switched to digital dentistry, it’s important to monitor the progress of the upgrades and make any necessary adjustments. This work is important because you need to ensure that everything is running smoothly and that your patients are happy with the new technology.

One of the best ways to monitor the progress of your digital dental upgrades is to ask your patients for feedback. This insight will allow you to understand how they’re adjusting to the new technology and whether they’re happy with it.

It would be wise if you also monitored your appointment scheduling system to ensure that it’s running smoothly. This check-in is especially important if you use automation software to schedule appointments.

If you notice any issues, make sure to address them right away. The last thing you want is for your patients to be unhappy with the new technology.

 

Celebrate Your Success

Last but not least, it’s important to celebrate your successes. This celebration is crucial because it will help you stay motivated and inspired as you continue to implement new digital dental technologies.

When you attain a milestone, take the time to celebrate. This celebration could involve throwing a party for your staff or taking everyone out to lunch. Whatever you do, ensure that everyone knows how much you appreciate their hard work.

 

Get Started Today: Join the Digital Dental Revolution

Are you ready to join the digital dental revolution? If so, then it’s time to get started. The tips from this article will help prepare your dental office and staff for digital upgrades.

Remember, the key to success is to create a solid plan, stay up-to-date on the latest trends, monitor the progress of your upgrades, and celebrate your accomplishments. If you do all these things, you’ll be well on your way to running a successful digital dental practice.

Zenith Dental IT can help you every step of the way as you make the transition to digital dentistry. We offer a wide range of dental IT services, including remote IT support, cloud backup, and disaster recovery.

Click here to learn how we can help you take your dental practice to the next level.

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