Just thinking about the number of digital radiography options available is enough to make your head spin. While some features are mandatory, others may just be added perks. When looking for a digital radiography product, make sure it fits in line with your overall dental practice goals, such as:

• Efficiency – Will this product streamline your existing processes across the board?  Will it help to save time, optimize work flow and improve treatment outcomes?
• Patient Care – Will this help you better diagnose, treatment plan and communicate your patients?  Will it help you to gain their trust for future treatments?
• Operating Costs – Will this reduce your supply costs and help secure new and existing revenue streams? 

In the spirit of fully assessing digital radiography from a business perspective, I have created a chart that discusses the must-haves and the nice-to-have features of many radiography products.  I hope this helps lend some clarity to your research efforts and serve as a guide when you have conversations with sales representatives.

For many dentists, transitioning to digital radiography after using film for most of their careers seems like a monumental change.  However, the benefits for your dental practice (as well as the patient) are clear.  Consider this chart:

“If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.” How many of us have used that line when we’re asked to change the way we do things?  Especially when we’re already overwhelmed with treating patients as well as:

• Managing practice operational costs – Everything from keeping payroll costs in line to controlling sundries and supply costs.  
• Building a larger and better referring patient base – Making sure you’re attracting new quality patients and offering a service level and quality of care that distinguishes you from the competition.
• Managing risks – Ensuring that the proper documentation has been completed, complying with patient privacy legislation, and putting systems in place that help to avoid mistakes by any team member.

I have had the privilege of owning my own dental practice for over twenty years.  Whether I am working through the operational issues at my own office, or talking to colleagues who are looking to build a new practice or renovate an existing one, there are several common themes I come across.

• Increase patient processing and speed of patient care – The ability to efficiently treat and better manage the administrative processes involved with treatment makes your office more profitable (and is also appreciated by our patients who are often also on a busy schedule). Improving the pace of patient care and the flow of associated administrative services are critical when it comes to retaining existing patients, attracting new ones, controlling costs and competing effectively with other dental offices in your community.
   
• Improve control over operational costs – Choosing the right new technologies can often enable an office to reduce the time required to execute an existing treatment or processing–often resulting in increased revenue and also reduced day-to-day operational costs. These savings of time and money can be easily reinvested back into the practice.
   
• Attract new customers – Integrating the appropriate back office and front office technological tools helps our patients feel “better cared for.” Patients are appreciative of technology and take comfort in knowing that their dental office is sensitive to their needs and operates in line with their often fast-paced lifestyle. This becomes a strong point of differentiation (that can be used in your marketing materials and branding) and a great way to increase referrals from your local community
   

Whether you are building a new practice, bringing on a new associate, or just want to invest in your business, there are a number of situations that may spark an interest in switching to digital radiography. However, if you are like many dentists, you may not have enough time to conduct research on your different options. That’s where this blog fits in–every week, I will explain a different aspect of digital radiography and how it applies to your busy dental practice and objectives.

The goal of this blog is to initiate a conversation with you. I’d like to hear your thoughts, comments, and questions so we can begin a two-way dialogue on this exciting dental technology. Together, we can explore options that will allow you to streamline your workflow, increase efficiency, improve productivity, and enhance patient care.