1659 Dr. Gordon Christensen on All Things Dentistry : Dentistry Uncensored with Howard Farran
Apr 23, 2024
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Dr. Gordon Christensen discusses challenges in dentistry, financial aspects, and post-pandemic industry shifts. Topics include enhancing income through patient education, financial disparities for new graduates, and the transmission of oral bacteria. The podcast also explores innovative products in dentistry, the impact of staff training, and the evolution of clinical dentistry.
New dentists face challenges of high debt and lack of clinical experience, impacting job satisfaction.
Evolution in dental education raises concerns about declining hands-on clinical skills among graduates.
Dentists grapple with profitability issues from insurance reimbursements and treatment decisions, emphasizing the need for financial balance.
Deep dives
Challenges Faced by New Dentists
New dentists are encountering challenges such as high debt, lack of clinical experience, and pressure to perform without adequate hands-on training. Many young dentists are expressing dissatisfaction with their current situations, feeling overwhelmed by significant student debt and unfulfilled working conditions at DSO clinics. This dissatisfaction stems from comparing their experiences to previous generations and feeling ill-prepared for the demands of modern dental practice.
Impact of Dental Education on Hands-on Skills
Dental education has evolved, leading to concerns about the decline in hands-on clinical skills among dental graduates. The ease of entry into dental school has resulted in students with excellent academic records but limited practical experience. The shift towards digital technologies, like digital radiographs, has affected the development of vital skills needed for effective dental practice. The lack of emphasis on manual techniques, such as carving wax or chalk, has further underscored the deficiencies in clinical proficiency.
Dental Practice and Profitability Issues
Dentists are facing profitability challenges due to issues with insurance reimbursements and treatment decisions. Fee schedules from insurance companies often undervalue essential procedures like cleanings, leading to financial strain on dental practices. The discussion on treatment protocols, such as the use of bulk fill materials in dental fillings, highlights the ongoing debate between efficiency and quality of care. The need for balancing monetary considerations with optimal patient outcomes remains a critical aspect of dental practice management.
Increasing Profitability in the Hygiene Department
Expanding the functions of dental hygienists beyond traditional roles like teeth cleaning can significantly boost the profitability of the hygiene department. By incorporating additional revenue-generating tasks such as involvement in sleep medicine, Botox treatments, and occlusal splints, hygienists can enhance their contribution to the practice's bottom line. Diversifying their roles and responsibilities not only adds value to the services offered but also maximizes the potential earnings of the department, ultimately leading to increased profitability.
Dentistry and the Influence of DSOs
The rise of Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) has reshaped the landscape of dental practice ownership and employment opportunities for recent dental school graduates. While DSOs provide a pathway for young dentists to kickstart their careers and earn a stable income, there are concerns about loss of autonomy and the transition from independent practice to a provider role within a corporate setting. Despite the positive aspects such as job availability and financial stability, the shift towards DSOs raises questions about the future of independent dentistry and the potential impact on patient care and practitioner independence.
Gordon J. Christensen is Founder and CEO of Practical Clinical Courses (PCC) and Co-Founder and CEO for Clinicians Report Foundation (CR) and a practicing prosthodontst in Provo, Utah. PCC is an international continuing education organization that provides courses and videos for all dental professionals. CR offers unbiased research on thousands of dental products. Dr. Christensen has presented over 45,000 hours of continuing education throughout the world and has published many articles and books.
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