2022 Dental Industry Trends to Keep On Your Radar

The past two years have certainly had their ups and downs with so much unpredictability during unprecedented times. 2022 may already seem like a lot of the same, but in the world of the dental industry, there are a lot of trends and technology to keep up with. We highlight a few of the more notable highlights to keep your eyes on this next year.

Group practices

Yes, dental service organizations (DSOs) are always increasing in popularity, but when the pandemic forced many established dentists to consider early retirement, it paved the way for a new generation. The practices that are being bought up and sold to DSOs are making it more affordable for dental school graduates to focus their efforts on attracting new patients and offering the latest technology.

Augmented reality

While machine learning (ML), artificial intelligence (AI) and 3D printing are still making waves in dental practices, augmented reality (AR) is gearing up in the world of cosmetic dentistry and orthodontics. AR can superimpose an image or video over a real-world visual so patients can preview their results before treatment for smile transformations, adjustments, and enhancements.

Chatbots

Teledentistry has had its moment these last two years, but one often-overlooked yet easy-to-implement web technology is the use of a chatbot to engage with patients and quickly answer questions. Not only does it increase touch points for your patients, but it can also streamline inquiries and save office staff time by answering routine questions and even scheduling appointments 24/7.

Going green

One silver lining of the pandemic on the dental industry has been the effort to make practices more environmentally friendly. The American Dental Association (ADA) brought light to this issue by putting together a list of “10 ways to go green in your practice,” including installing an amalgam separator, which is not just green, but in many instances now required, as well as planning office layouts to maximize natural light and ventilation.

What’s next?

Contact the experts at Professional Transition Strategies to learn more ways to keep your dental practice on top of its game.