Re: Versatile CAD/CAM Digital Impression Technology

[sushantpatel_doc]

Practice Management Ramifications
Every new piece of technology and advancement in clinical processes affects how you manage your practice. In this article the author worked with the CEREC Bluecam—a dental restoration product that allows a practitioner to produce an indirect ceramic restoration using a variety of computer-assisted technologies. If your vision is to provide dental alternatives that are high-quality, state-of the-art restorations, then technology like this could be a wonderful addition to the traditional crown and bridge practice.

If a practice is not computer and digital savvy, then the initial costs of implementing a system like this may feel overwhelming. The return on investment (ROI) does come in decreased chair time, and increased patient commitment. Implementing CAD/CAM restorations may also directly relate to cost savings. The percentage reduction in laboratory fees saved can be as much as 5 to 7%, with many doctors reporting only a 1 to 2 % increase in dental supplies, once fully integrated. There is no question that a one-appointment restoration does significantly in­crease efficiency and is extremely attractive to a busy patient who is not interested in multiple visits.

When implementing these new procedures, the most impacted team members are the dentists and their chairside assistants. The transferable abilities that create excellent crown preparations, temporaries, and crown seats are not the only skill sets needed to master the CAD/CAM restorations. To be successful, there needs to be comfort with computers and digital imaging/images, involving a whole new set of skills and a significant learning curve. There’s no doubt that if the doctor and the clinical team is motivated and focused, proficiency is absolutely possible. To realize a ROI, the training plan has to go beyond just training for competence, to ensuring confidence and speed when utilizing these new technologies.

The whole team must be involved in the training and implementation plan, as the systems directly impacted by this new service include: scheduling, financial arrangements, and collections. Ideal day templates that had once focused on production blocks based on a traditional crown preparation, and specific times set aside for the crown seat, will need to be altered. When initially integrating this technology, scheduling doctor time and assistant time will be very different and must be planned for appropriately. The biggest problem that we see is that dentists do not give themselves and the team adequate time to truly integrate new technologies, thus creating frustration and sometimes abandonment. Once proper training has been completed, there is no question that the schedule becomes more efficient with CAD/CAM technologies because restorations can be completed in one visit. This in turn impacts how the team sets financial arrangements for the restoration, and how they ultimately collect any balance due. Also it is vital to set clear guidelines on fees, and how to handle any initial remakes so the team feels unified in handling any patient service issues.

If your patients are inspired by innovative new processes that are efficient and effective—they will be excited about these new in-office and related in-lab technologies. Marketing in newsletters, website, etc, needs to be upgraded to educate new patients and patients of record on the benefits of CAD/CAM restorations. This is not a quick fix, but a long-term cultural change that can provide lasting benefits to your patients, and to you and your team. So, plan well, train thoroughly, and then enjoy the results.