The Most Important Changes in Dental Care for 2016

With all the discounts, the bills, the appointment-booking and more, it can be confusing enough trying to get your teeth sorted. Add on top of that several changes to the world of dentistry in 2016 and you’d be forgiven for being tempted to leave it for another year. But fear not, help is at hand. To make your life easier, we’ve put together some handy tips and explanations of exactly what changes you can expect. That’s a good enough reason to smile, right?

1. ADA Code Changes

On the 1st of January, 2016, several changes were made to the ADA Code. A total of ADA dental procedures were changed, along with the addition of 19 new codes. These changes are important for both dentists and patients to understand. To take a look, check out the California Dental Association’s list, here.

2. Advancements in dental technology

There have been some great advancements in dental care that are all ready for you in 2016. Here are some of the highlights: Smart Toothbrush – These tell you how well you’ve brushed and keep you entertained while you’re cleaning. EAER – This stands for Electrically Accelerated and Enhanced Remineralization (no wonder they shortened it). This technology will drive natural minerals back to damaged enamel using electrical currents. This painless procedure will cure minor cavities and lead to better, healthier teeth. It’s expected in 3 years. Crushed Bioactive Glass Fillings Crushed bioactive glass is an extremely strong and long-lasting material. It has components that battle against bacteria that cause cavities. In years to come, this may be standard technology for tooth fillings. Electronic Health Records This technology means that patient information is electronically. It gives dentists and medical professionals easy access to a personalized report for all their patients, enabling them to see any information that may be of importance. It’s been around for a few years, but becomes more and more vital as it develops.

3. What Happened in 2015, and What We See Coming in 2016

2015 saw:

• More interest in the experience of a visit to the dentist
• Dentistry has been acknowledged as a key part of research into breathing problems
• Advancements in the use of cloud technology
• More corporate dental practices

Predicted in 2016:

• Patients will continue to seek more from their in-office experience
• Dentists will play a more important part in contributing to the medical industry as a whole
• Dental Support Organizations will grow further
• Dentists will be more active with social media as they digitize their marketing efforts
• Significant changes will come in dental insurance policies

4. The Increase of Corporate Dental Practice

There are several different forms of dental practices. These are:

• Traditional – The dentist owns and manages the practice
• Dental Management Service Organization – The dentist owns the practice, but management is given over to a service organization
• Corporate – The Dentist provides care, but the practice is owned and managed by corporate entities
• Non-profit – Owned by a governmental agency or educational institute

2016 is likely to see the increase of Corporate Dental Practices. This change will come about for several reasons. One of the main reasons is that many more traditional dentists are looking to retire. This will mean they are likely to seek to sell their practice and the most likely buyers will be corporate entities. 2016 is likely to see the increase of Corporate Dental Practices. This change will come about for several reasons. One of the main reasons is that many more traditional dentists are looking to retire. This will mean they are likely to seek to sell their practice and the most likely buyers will be corporate entities.