CUPERTINO, Calif., U.S.: In the past, key steps in maintaining one’s privacy might have entailed drawing the curtains after dark, planting a hedge or shredding documents that contained personal information. Nowadays, in a world increasingly ruled by digital data, privacy begins with not opting in. Privacy changes in the 14th major release of Apple Inc.’s mobile operating system, iOS, have made it more difficult for companies to track users’ virtual activities and caused headaches for marketing departments—including those at leading digital dental brands.
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Maintaining good oral health may reduce premature birth risk, study finds
SYDNEY, Australia: For some women, hormonal changes that occur owing to pregnancy can lead to oral health problems such as dental caries and periodontal disease. A newly published study out of Australia has sought to investigate whether the treatment of gingivitis in expectant mothers can affect pregnancy outcomes. The researchers found that it could help to reduce the likelihood of preterm birth.
Danes’ oral health has improved significantly but social inequalities persist, study says
COPENHAGEN, Denmark: In a recent study, researchers examined the dentate status and the frequency of preventive dental visits of Danish adults over a period of 30 years. Additionally, they assessed whether the patients’ oral health had been influenced by social determinants. The study found that, although Danes now show a significant improvement in their oral health behaviours, there are still social inequalities in dental health across the population. In light of the findings, the researchers highlighted the need for sociopolitical actions to help improve the dental health of Danes across various social backgrounds.
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ADF resumes in-person format for 2021 event
PARIS, France: From tomorrow until Saturday, the Palais des Congrès de Paris is hosting the French Dental Association’s (ADF’s) annual conference and exhibition. Under the theme “Souriez, on va se retrouver” (smile, we’ll meet again), the organisers are welcoming attendees in person again this year, after last year’s event had to be cancelled owing to the coronavirus pandemic.
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Graphy presents first direct 3D-printed aligner with shape memory function
COLOGNE, Germany: At the 39th International Dental Show (IDS) in September, South Korean manufacturer Graphy showcased the world’s first direct 3D-printed aligner, produced from the company’s own 3D printing resin. The aligner is equipped with a shape memory function, meaning the polymers remember the original printed shape. According to Graphy, its product is the only one available on the market featuring this property. To find out more about this innovative orthodontic solution, Dental Tribune International (DTI) visited the company’s booth at IDS 2021.
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Pandemic headwinds batter SmileDirectClub
NASHVILLE, Tenn., U.S.: SmileDirectClub (SDC) is a leading provider of remote clear aligner therapy, but the company has missed out on the economic immunity to COVID-19 that seems to have been afforded to some other clear aligner manufacturers. The company’s results slumped in the third quarter and, according to its CEO, the difficulties can be attributed to the financial effects of the pandemic on its target demographic.
Study shows how remote monitoring can reduce orthodontic check-up frequency
DUBAI, UAE/SYDNEY, Australia: One of the most notable trends in dentistry in 2021 has been the continued rise in popularity of remotely monitored orthodontics. New technologies have emerged that allow orthodontic patients to scan their own dentition and send the resulting images to a dental professional in lieu of a physical check-up. A study has now found that combining clear aligners with a popular remote monitoring tool could significantly reduce the number of in-person visits an orthodontic patient needs—without compromising the treatment outcome.
Business side of dentistry: 7 things to consider for when opening your first practice
Editor’s note: This is the 12th article in a series exploring the business aspects of the dental profession, from starting a practice and marketing to hiring staff and finances.
Decided to do a start up? Here’s a few pointers that may make you a little more successful in this venture:
Dr. Deshpande
1. A thorough demographic analysis. Although, I’ve seen extremely successful startup practices in unfavorable dentist to patient population ratios, for the most part you need a ratio of at least 1:3000 to support your startup dream. Starting a practice in a very competitive area could make life difficult for you.
2. Finding a location that is easily accessible, offers plenty of parking for your patients and staff, and that gets as many eyeballs on it in a day is key. If you find a location at an intersection with a traffic light that has at least $20,000 cars crossing by, nothing like it. Be wary of those locations though; they are hard to find in urban markets, and are usually bought by giant retail spaces. Finding a great tenant representative to help you discover spaces, and negotiate on your behalf, will serve you well in this case.
3. Some banks max out with a loan of $550,000 for general dentistry startups. Specialists can get a little more from a bank. Some new dentists will be unable to find a bank willing to fully finance them, especially if they are new graduates. Many of you might need to consider getting a traditional SBA loan to fund your startup dream. Consider having a financial mentor to help you understand which route makes most sense for you.
4. Supporting yourself with a busy part time associateship while running your startup might be helpful. It’ll help reduce financial pressure, while also providing you with the income to put into your startup for marketing.
5. Surrounding yourself with other dentists who can help you in the process is vital. One of my favorite resources is the Facebook group called ‘the making of a dental startup’, started by a podcaster with a show of the same name. There is a group exclusively for dentists and another with company representatives. The group with dentists has honest discussions, references of which companies to work with, lots of advice and people willing to let you learn from their mistakes. I sometimes find myself spending hours just perusing a single topic.
6. Podcasts to listen to? Fee for service dentistry, the Making of a Startup and the Dental Marketer are all great places to listen to a variety of startup experiences.
7. Lastly, make sure to surround yourself with mentors, coaches, friends and confidantes. Doing a startup can be a very overwhelming and lonely journey. You will often feel like the weight of the world is on your tiny dentist shoulders- you never went to school to learn the business side of dentistry, after all. You went to school to learn clinical dentistry and impact your community. It is important to remember that there are many people who have done this before you and done it well. Associating with the right people will help you reach your goals faster. The journey becomes easier. Find your tribe!
All the best! Here’s to an amazing 2022!
Dr. Sampada Deshpande is a general dentist based in San Francisco. A foreign trained dentist from India, Sampada earned her DDS from the University of Washington in 2018 and is a 2020-2021 UW-LEND fellow. Outside of clinical dentistry, she enjoys teaching at the New Dentist Business Club and improving access to technology in healthcare via her involvement in Samsotech. You can reach her directly at @dr.deshpande on Instagram or visit her website www.sampadadeshpandedds.com for more information.
Editor’s note: We know that finding the right practice can be overwhelming and time consuming. That’s why the ADA created ADA Practice Transitions (ADAPT), a service that matches you with practices that fit your practice approach and lifestyle. We provide customized resources to ensure you feel confident in your decisions and an ADA Advisor supports you during each step of the journey. Learn more at ADAPracticeTransitions.com.
Interview: “We feel that people want to come to the ADF congress to meet up”
PARIS, France: After the cancellation of the French Dental Association (ADF) congress in 2020, a new edition of this event, which dental professionals look forward to every year, is about to take place. From 23 to 27 November, the dental world will meet at the Palais des Congrès in Paris to learn, discover innovations and, perhaps, challenge themselves. Drs Julien Laupie and Joël Trouillet, dentists and secretary generals of the ADF, were kind enough to share their feelings, explain what motivates them and give details of this new edition of the congress.
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GNYDM 2021 aiming to return to some normalcy
NEW YORK, U.S.: The Greater New York Dental Meeting (GNYDM) is one of the largest dental congresses in the world and serves as a hub for displaying the newest technology for the dental profession. This year, the event will be held from Nov. 26 to Dec. 1. at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and will return to an in-person format, offering the attendees hundreds of hands-on workshops and numerous educational webinars and product displays.