Joining a dental service organization (DSO) has become an increasingly popular option for dentists because they provide support and ease the administrative burdens of running a dental practice. DSOs are typically early adopters of industry technology. They sometimes employ entire teams devoted to identifying and implementing new solutions that improve efficiencies from front desk, to back office, to clinical workflows.
I practiced in a small dental office for 10 years and I now sell software to DSOs, so I’ve seen firsthand the wide array of tools that these organizations use to run smoothly and profitably. However, as dental technology companies continue to innovate, solutions that traditionally made sense only for large, multilocation groups now cost less and are more accessible for independent practices. So, which of these options should you consider for your practice?
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Seamless financing products
We’ve all worked with a variety of financing companies, which typically differentiate themselves on two factors: approval rates and practice fees. We’ve seen a new wave of consumer-friendly options, such as Sunbit, that offer a modern customer experience. They can get patients a credit check in seconds without the tedious applications that we’re all used to with the incumbents.
Artificial intelligence
Dental providers are well-trained in reading radiographs and can diagnose disease on a full-mouth series at a glance, but a little assistance never hurts anybody. Emerging AI tools like Pearl, Overjet, and Denti.AI can identify and highlight findings on radiographs such as caries and bone loss. These solutions are not intended to replace you, but rather help you work faster and be less likely to miss something.
Insurance verification and quoting
Then there’s the dreaded yet necessary task of checking patients’ benefits. Every practice does this the same way: with a combination of website checks, phone calls, and faxes. Innovative software products like AirPay automate this process for dental practices and instantly calculate patient responsibility. Software-based solutions in this category are much less costly and prone to error than human-based, often-overseas call centers.
Practice intelligence
It’s no secret that practice management systems leave a lot to be desired. Software companies such as Dental Intelligence and Jarvis Analytics provide insightful dashboards that allow you to view your practice data in ways that were previously difficult to create. From identifying cost savings opportunities to measuring clinical standards, when used correctly these new platforms are guaranteed to help you optimize every aspect of your business.
Similar to the adoption of CBCT and digital scanners during the past decade, traditionally complicated and expensive software is now being used by solo practitioners. With all the challenges we face in running our practices, now is the time to take advantage of these impactful solutions.
Editor's note: This article appeared in the August 2022 print edition of Dental Economics magazine. Dentists in North America are eligible for a complimentary print subscription. Sign up here.
