Dentaltown march 2016 - (Page 22)

second opinion column Pedonomics and the Affordable Care Act: Emerging Economic Impacts That Can Propel Your Practice Second opinions are common in health care, whether a doctor is sorting out a difficult case or a patient is not sure what to do next. In the context of our magazine, the first opinion will always belong to the reader. This feature will allow fellow dental professionals to share their opinions on various topics, providing you with a "second opinion." Perhaps some of these observations will change your mind, while others will solidify your position. In the end, our goal is to create discussion and debate to enrich our profession. - Thomas Giacobbi, DDS, FAGD, Editorial Director, Dentaltown Magazine Forget the rhetoric of the debates on the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Children and their dental benefits can, and should, have a long-lasting and significant impact in your practice. So put aside your political opinions for the moment and let's look at some facts. What you might know Baby boomers (currently the largest segment in our population) have significantly impacted the success of many dental practices with their desire and need for cosmetic rehabilitation, implants, adult orthodontics, nonsurgical periodontal therapy, sedation and more. Where once there were few dentists trained in offering these services, now it seems that there is an oversupply. Competition for these clinical procedures is becoming very prevalent. Do a Google search for "cosmetic dental rehabilitation" in your area and see for yourself. In addition, advances in dental technology have multiplied at such a rapid pace that continuing education is no longer sought after just for re-licensure. It is now necessary in order to be competitive. New patients (and your current ones) are well educated and more discerning in choosing dental-health options thanks to advertising, Google searches, social media, and the baby boomers' increased desire to hold on to a youthful appearance. As a result, the successful paradigm shift that allowed dental practices to fulfi ll these baby boomer needs with advanced dental technologies has leveled off. What you need to know Our birth rate is steady at four million per year, with millennial parents accounting for 80 percent of these births. These parents (who are having their children later in life) are often "drone parents" who self-educate through their social networks and extensive Internet research. They have less inherent trust in the healthcare system and their health-care providers, and as such have strong opinions regarding dental care for their children. They are more demanding of their child's dentist, while often actually exerting less control and oversight over their kids. They also have a keen interest in technology, especially biocompatible, nontoxic, no-pain (or at least no-memory) dentistry. With the millennial generation, peer recommendation and social-media marketing are essential to effectively reach this audience. Second, the caries rate in children has reached epidemic proportions, regardless of ethnicity, culture, and socioeconomic status. Dental caries prevention techniques have declined, while cariogenic diets have increased. Continued on p. 24 Dr. Roger Sanger, a pediatric dentist, cofounded one of the largest private pediatric dental groups in California, with both pediatric and general dentists practicing in multiple offices, two surgicenters and a hospital practice. He is a director at the Institute for the Clinical Practice of Pediatric Dentistry, and also director of pediatric sedation dentistry for DOCS Education. An author of numerous clinical textbooks, chapters, and articles in pediatric dentistry, he recently wrote the book, "The Entrepreneur's Children's Dental Practice." by Roger G. Sanger, DDS, MS 22 MARCH 2016 // dentaltown.com http://www.dentaltown.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Dentaltown march 2016

On Dentaltown.com
HOWARD SPEAKS: Do Your Employees Feel Safe?
PROFESSIONAL COURTESY: Wonder Women in Dentistry
Continuing Education Update
SECOND OPINION: Pedonomics and the Affordable Care Act: Emerging Economic Impacts That Can Propel Your Practice
Industry News
Rod’s Incredible Perio Protocol: The Remix!
Assistance with Provisional Fabrications
Transitioning with a DSO: How it Works
Function and Esthetics of Lithium Disilicate Restorations
What Happens if You’re Not There?
The Role of CBCT Imaging in Dentistry
Why Your Site Must Be Mobile-Ready in 2016
Make Lower Denture for Existing Upper Denture?
Product Profi le: AMD Lasers
Women in Dentistry: INTRODUCTION: FACING CHANGE
GIVING SURVIVORS A REASON TO SMILE
WOMEN IN THE BOARDROOM
“DEAR DENTIST...”
FROM REFUGEE TO RENAISSANCE WOMAN
IN THE VANGUARD
WHEN IT’S YOUR CIRCUS
CECILIA MESCAIN
Product Profi le: Schick
Implant Maintenance Protocol
The New Force in Dental Marketing
Product Profi le: OCO Biomedical
Practice Solutions: Perio Protect
Ad Index
Product Profile: Integrated Dental Systems
New Products
You Should Know: Kallpod Health
Poll
CONTINUING EDUCATION: An Observation on the Superiority of Articaine versus Lidocaine in Dental Anesthesia
Dentally Incorrect

Dentaltown march 2016