As a dental professional, you will have noticed the growing number of patients that you treat who have conducted research or even self-diagnosis before having come to your surgery. By adapting your practices and patient interactions to the consequences of this reality, you can ensure you are doing what you can to mitigate the very real dangers of misinformation and disinformation to your patients’ health.

The Increasing Prevalence of Patient Self-Diagnosis in Dentistry

The abundance of health information available online can be, depending on the source,  contradictory, unhelpful or downright dangerous. It may seem obvious that patients must not self-diagnose from internet information, but the evidence shows that increasingly this is what is happening (1). Making matters worse, online health information can also act as a two-way negative reinforcement loop for negative and/or incorrect perceptions about health and healthcare provision because the internet can be a repository that tells you what you want to hear with the goal of collecting viewers and thereby monetising content. For example, if a patient has fears about his/her health or prioritises saving money, this can be exacerbated by information found online, causing individuals to increase their fears and increase avoidance behaviour, eventually resulting in worse outcomes for the dental issue.

Some of the factors driving patients to search for dental health information online include the cost of dental care, which can be a significant barrier for some patients. Another is fear of dental treatment, where some patients may avoid seeking professional advice out of fear or anxiety about dental treatment. Self-diagnosis may be seen as a way to avoid the dentist altogether. Another reason is the lack of trust in the healthcare system, including dental professionals. Lastly, time constraints, where patients may feel that they do not have the time to visit the dentist for a proper diagnosis can drive people online instead. Self-diagnosis may be seen as a way to save time and get a quick solution to a dental problem. However all these motivations can ultimately result in more extensive treatment in the future in the case of disinformation or misinformation.

Impact of COVID-19 on dental patient online

The COVID-19 lockdowns had a significant impact on patient self-diagnosis and self-research in dentistry. According to a 2021 study published in the Journal of Dental Sciences, the COVID-19 pandemic led to an increase in patients seeking dental information online and attempting self-treatment (2). The study found that patients who were unable to access dental services during the lockdowns turned to online resources for information on dental conditions and treatments. Unsurprisingly, the study also found that patients who attempted self-treatment were more likely to experience negative outcomes, including pain and infection.

A 2018 study published in the Australian Dental Journal found that 49.1% of Australian adults had self-diagnosed a dental problem using the internet. The study also found that those who self-diagnosed were more likely to have a negative perception of dental professionals and less likely to seek professional treatment (3). Yet another study in the Journal of Dentistry in 2021 found that 42.9% of Australian adults had self-diagnosed a dental problem using the internet in the past year. The study also found that those who self-diagnosed were more likely to delay seeking professional treatment and more likely to use home remedies (4)

Countering Disinformation & Misinformation: Actions for Dentists

Dental professionals can counter disinformation and misinformation by providing patients with accurate and up-to-date information through patient education materials and effective communication strategies. This includes providing clear and concise explanations of dental conditions, symptoms and treatments in the form of brochures, videos and on their websites.  According to a 2015 study published in the Journal of Dental Education, patients who received patient education materials had greater knowledge of oral health and were more likely to follow preventive measures (Al-Omiri et al., 2015). Also, according to a study published in the Journal of Dental Research, patients who received patient-centred communication had better oral health outcomes (Moss et al., 2016).

Similarly, making time during consultations to ask patients about their preconceptions and addressing any misconceptions or myths that patients may have can provide valuable information for the dental professional and help the patient feel heard and involved in their care. Dental professionals can also incorporate patient-centred care by tailoring communication and treatment plans to meet the patient’s individual needs and preferences.

Dental practices can develop a strong online presence and reputation by sharing useful dental health information via effective marketing strategies such as search engine optimisation (SEO) and regularly updating their websites with health advice, hints and tips, thereby doing their part to counter the misinformation available online.

Social media can play a special role in adapting to the trend of patient self-diagnosis. Dental practices can use social media platforms to provide educational content, engage with patients and thereby promote their services. According to the Journal of Dental Education, social media can be an effective tool for patient engagement and education when used to monitor and respond to patient views and feedback, correcting misconceptions and false information (Duff et al., 2020).

Leverage patient research to improve results of participatory medicine

Participatory medicine is an approach to healthcare that emphasises collaboration and partnership between patients and healthcare providers. In dentistry, this means involving patients in their own care and decision-making, and recognising that patients have unique knowledge about their own oral health and can contribute valuable information to their dental team (5).

As part of this approach, dentists can embrace patient online research and help patients become more informed about their oral health, which can lead to better patient outcomes.

One way to achieve this is by encouraging patients to bring in information they find to their appointments. This will allow dentists to review the information with the patient, provide additional context or clarification and offer guidance on interpreting information to help patients understand the information they find. This includes guidance on how to evaluate sources, distinguish fact from opinion, and understand any technical terms or jargon that may be used. By doing so, dentists can help patients make more informed decisions about their oral health as well as work with the patient to develop a treatment plan that best meets their needs.

Another way dentists can leverage patient online research is by providing patients with reliable online resources, such as reputable dental association websites, patient education materials or recommending patient-friendly apps that track oral health. This can encourage patients to become more engaged in their own care and help dentists stay up-to-date on the latest developments in dental technology and patient education.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the trend of patient self-diagnosis in dentistry is becoming increasingly prevalent and it is important for dental professionals to adapt to this reality to ensure patient safety and accuracy of information. To counter disinformation and misinformation, dental professionals should provide patients with accurate and up-to-date information. It can also be a way to improve the outcomes of participatory healthcare by utilising patients’ online research as a possible input to tailoring communication and treatment plans to meet the patient’s individual needs and preferences.

Sources

1. https://www.pewresearch.org/
2. Lin Y, Hu P, Huang W, et al. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on dental information-seeking behavior and self-treatment among the general public: a Google Trends™ analysis. J Dent Sci. 2021;16(2):699-704.
3. Divaris K, Lee JY, Baker AD, et al. “The relationship of dental anxiety with oral health-related quality of life and perceived need for dental treatment in a community sample.” Aust Dent J. 2018;63(2):172-181).
4. Rahman B, Slack-Smith L, Khanal S, et al. “Factors associated with self-reported oral health-related quality of life among adults in Western Australia.” J Dent. 2021;106:103559).
5. Loignon C, Dupéré S, Fortin M, Ramsden VR, Truchon K. Health literacy – engaging the community in the co-creation of meaningful health navigation services: a study protocol. BMC Health Serv Res. 2018 Jun 28;18(1):505. doi: 10.1186/s12913-018-3315-3. PMID: 29954407; PMCID: PMC6022349.

https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality/survey-44-of-americans-self-diagnose-online-instead-of-visiting-medical-professional.html

https://www.nature.com/articles/sj.bdj.2017.335.pdf

Author

Michelle Mason
m.r.mason04@gmail.com

The post Adapting to the Trend of Dental Patient Self-Diagnosis appeared first on The Dental Review.

There is an understandable focus on the exciting developments in artificial intelligence (AI) and other advanced technology solutions for diagnostics and other aspects of clinical dental care. Meanwhile, dental practice operations and administration can also greatly benefit from the adoption of AI to improve practice efficiency, staff retention and patient satisfaction.

Based on the findings of multiple studies into technology adoption in dental practices, those that adopt more technology solutions are likely to have the following characteristics: be larger practices or chains of clinics; have younger dental professionals; be newer practices; be located in urban areas and generate higher revenue. However, the benefits of AI in improving practice management are available to, and would benefit practices of all sizes and configurations.

In this article, five key challenges in dental practice management are identified: 1. appointment scheduling 2. billing and insurance claims 3. managing patient records 4. predictive analytics, and 5. inventory management. Suggestions about how AI or other advanced digital tools and technologies can solve or help address each challenge in order to provide dentists with competitive advantage are discussed. Finally, an indicative cost and effort analysis conducted for three sizes of dental practice. The goal of this is to help dental professionals make a more informed decision about whether, and at what level of adoption to engage with the benefits AI has for dental practice management.

1. AI Streamlines Appointments for Dental Practices

Scheduling appointments is a challenge for dental practices as it can be time-consuming and prone to errors. This can lead to overbooking, double-booking, or missed appointments, which can negatively impact the practice’s revenue and reputation. Whilst most Australian practices use electronic scheduling systems, these systems are usually stand-alone IT systems. They are also not optimised for natural language input, which makes it harder for users to find the required information.

To address this challenge, dental practices can use tools considered to be part of dental informatics, the application of information technology to dentistry. Advanced AI tools such as natural language processing (NLP) can be used to automate the process of scheduling appointments via chatbots or virtual assistants.

Patients can use the practice’s website or mobile app to request an appointment using natural language, such as “I would like to schedule a hygiene appointment next Wednesday at 2pm.” The chatbot or virtual assistant, powered by NLP, can understand the request and check the practice’s schedule for availability. If the desired time slot is available, the appointment can be scheduled automatically. If the desired time slot is not available, the chatbot or virtual assistant can offer alternative options for the patient to choose from.

These systems can also integrate with electronic health records (EHRs) and other information systems, allowing dental professionals to access patient information and appointment history in real-time. This can improve the patient experience by reducing wait times. Additionally, these systems can also provide features like automated appointment reminders and rescheduling options, which can further improve the patient experience and reduce the administrative workload for dental practices.

2. Billing and Insurance Claims: Simplify with AI

Dental billing and invoicing can be a complex process, and electronic billing systems are commonly used by dentists in Australia. These electronic billing systems are sometimes integrated with dental practice management software, and this enables dentists to submit claims to a variety of payers, including private health insurance companies and government programs like the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS).

Dental practices can enhance their billing and claims processing by using machine learning algorithms to automate these processes. This can be done by integrating the practice’s billing and insurance data with an AI-powered software that can automatically process claims and identify errors or discrepancies, such as missing information or incorrect codes, as they are submitted. The software can then flag these errors for the practice’s billing team to review and correct before submission, thereby speeding payment times and reducing manual follow ups.

3. Patient Records: Improve Care using AI

Dental practices currently rely on electronic health record (EHR) systems to manage patient records, but these systems are often not optimised for natural language input or for creating detailed, accurate patient profiles. A significant proportion of dental practices still use manual methods, which can be difficult to manage and prone to errors.

Digital imaging systems are increasingly common in Australian dental practices, to capture and manage radiographic images, such as X-rays, enabling dentists to view high-resolution images on computer screens, rather than relying on film-based X-rays. An ideal next step is to integrate these imaging systems with patients’ EHRs, allowing dentists to view patient images alongside their medical and dental history.

In addition, dental practices can utilise the power of natural language processing (NLP) to automate the process of managing patient records. This can be done by integrating an NLP-powered software into the practice’s EHR system, which can extract information from patient records and create detailed, accurate patient profiles. This can improve patient care and reduce the risk of errors.

On a daily basis, the NLP-powered software can automatically extract information from patient records as they are entered into the EHR system. The software can understand the information and create detailed, accurate patient profiles. This can help dental professionals have a complete, up-to-date and accurate picture of their patients’ health to make fully informed decisions.

It’s worth noting that the use of electronic systems for managing dental patient records is regulated in Australia by the Australian Dental Council (ADC) and the Dental Board of Australia (DBA) to ensure patient information is kept secure and confidential. Additionally, dental practices are required to comply with the National Privacy Principles (NPPs) as well as the Health Insurance Act 1973 and the Privacy Act 1988, which set out the rules for the handling of personal information.

4. Predictive Analytics: Plan patient care with AI

Gaining insights into patient behaviour, treatment outcomes, and revenue potential is a challenge for dental practices as it can be difficult to analyse large amounts of data without the requisite tools and/or training. This can lead to suboptimal treatment decision making and lost revenue. Currently, some dental practices may use data analysis tools, but they lack the capability to predict future trends and patient behaviour. Some practices may also use manual methods to gain insights into patient behaviour, treatment outcomes, and revenue potential, but these methods can be time-consuming and may not provide accurate or complete information.

To address this challenge, dental practices can use predictive analytics and AI to gain insights. This can be done by integrating the practice’s data, such as patient records, billing and insurance claims, and appointment schedules, with an AI-powered predictive analytics software. The software can then analyse the data to identify patterns and predict future trends. This can help dental practices plan for the future and make more informed decisions.

The predictive analytics software can automatically analyse the practice’s data and provide insights into patient behaviour, treatment outcomes, and revenue potential. This can help dental practices make data-driven decisions, such as forecasting patient demand and identifying opportunities for revenue growth.

5. Inventory Management: Optimise with AI

Managing inventory of dental materials, equipment and drugs is a challenge for dental practices. Errors can lead to waste, excess inventory, and a shortage of necessary materials. Dental practices currently rely on manual inventory management methods, such as manual counting and record keeping. Some practices may use inventory management software, but these systems may not be integrated with the practice’s other systems and may not be optimised for identifying patterns in usage or optimising inventory levels.

To address this challenge, dental practices can use machine learning algorithms to automate the process of inventory management. This can be done by integrating the practice’s inventory data with an AI-powered software that can predict inventory needs, identify patterns in usage, and optimise inventory levels. This can help dental practices reduce waste, lower costs, and improve patient care. The AI-powered software can automatically analyse the practice’s inventory data and make predictions about future inventory needs. It can also identify patterns in usage and optimise inventory levels to ensure that the practice has the necessary materials on hand without excess inventory. This can provide the benefits of saving time and money and improving patient care.

Analysis of potential cost, difficulty and efficiency gains

In the table below, the practice size is defined according to the number of dentists in the practice, with small practices being 1-5 dentists, medium practices being 6-10 dentists, and large practices being 11 or more dentists. The table provides information on the implementation cost, efficiency, patient benefit, and difficulty of implementing the AI solutions for each practice size.

It’s important to note that these are estimates and may vary depending on the specific implementation and practice, but may provide some useful guidelines for decision-making regarding investment in technology upgrades for your practice.

Software programmes that use the power of AI

Dentrix and Open Dental, are capable of handling both electronic health records (EHR) and practice management functions, making them suitable for various practice sizes.

Dentrix: Dentrix is suitable for all practice sizes, as it offers both basic and advanced features, making it a good choice for both small and large practices.

Open Dental: This software is a good choice for small to medium sized practices, as it offers a user-friendly interface and a range of features at an affordable price point.

It’s important to note that the appropriateness of a software depends on the specific needs and requirements of a practice. It’s always recommended to carefully evaluate the software’s features and capabilities before making a decision.

AI’s Impact on the Future of Dental Practice Management

In the coming years, the dental profession can expect to see continued advancements in AI technology and its applications in dental practice management. Some specific areas of development may include:

• Improved natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning algorithms that can better understand patient requests and provide more accurate and efficient appointment scheduling, billing and insurance claims processing, and patient record management.
• More advanced predictive analytics tools that can provide deeper insights into patient behaviour, treatment outcomes, and revenue potential, and help dental practices better plan for the future and make more informed decisions.
• Increased use of chatbots and virtual assistants that can help automate patient communication and provide more convenient and efficient service.

Overall, the dental profession can expect to see more AI-powered tools and technologies that will help automate time-consuming tasks and improve dental practice operations and management, providing dental practices with more efficiencies, cost savings and competitive advantages.

Conclusion

Dental practice management is a critical aspect of running a successful dental practice. The article highlights several key areas including patient experience, marketing, finances, staffing, and technology. To maximise the success of a dental practice, it is important to prioritise patient satisfaction, effectively market services, manage finances efficiently, hire and retain the right staff, and stay up to date with technology advancements. A well-rounded approach to these aspects can lead to a thriving dental practice.

Sources

1. Lo Nigro, G.; Bizzoca, M.E.; Lo Muzio, L.; Campisi, G. The Management of Dental Practices in the Post-COVID 19 Era: An Economic and Operational Perspective. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 8905. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17238905
2. Alrahbi, Dana Abdullah, et al. “Exploring the Motivators of Technology Adoption in Healthcare.” International Journal of Healthcare Management, Jan. 2021. Informa, https://doi.org/10.1080/20479700.2019.1607451.
3. Proffitt, E. What will be the new normal for the dental industry?. Br Dent J 228, 678–680 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-020-1583-x
4. https://www.rolandberger.com/en/Insights/Publications/The-Future-of-Dentistry-is-Digital.html
5. Betty Ladley Finkbeiner, Charles Allan Finkbeiner, (2020). Practice Management for the Dental Team, Elsevier
6. Mühlemann, Sven; Sandrini, Gloria; Ioannidis, Alexis; Jung, Ronald E; Hämmerle, Christoph H F (2019). The use of digital technologies in dental practices in Switzerland: a cross-sectional survey. Swiss Dental Journal, 129(9):700-707

Author

Michelle Mason
m.r.mason04@gmail.com

The post AI – The Key to Streamlining Dental Practice Operations appeared first on The Dental Review.

This article examines how the ageing Australian population affects the type of dental care required now and in the future, and highlights areas that will need more education, skill development and resources to meet increasing demand.

Changing demographics affecting dentistry

A combination of factors such as increasing life expectancy and decreasing birth rates has led to an increase in the proportion of older adults (65+ years) in the population to 15% in 2020. This is double the percentage of 1970, and it is predicted that by 2066 older people in Australia will constitute 22% of the population.

Of older adults, 53% are women, with more than twice the proportion of the population aged 85+ being women.

Dental issues among the elderly in Australia

Oral health issues faced by older people are examined below:

1. Gradual tooth loss

Older adults are more likely than younger people to have lost some of their natural teeth, either due to decay, gum disease or injury. This can lead to a need for dentures, bridges or dental implants. Gradual loss of teeth occurs incrementally throughout adult life. It is the major oral problem among older people, in contrast with and edentulism (below). Some argue that the unplanned, crisis-driven and incremental loss of teeth presents more of a problem for the profession and the public. This is because the piecemeal loss of teeth can result in the drifting of adjacent teeth and the over-eruption of opposing units, thus complicating prosthodontic rehabilitation at a later date. Exacerbating this, the annual dental caries increase among older people in nursing homes is more than double that observed among their community-dwelling counterparts; and among those with dementia, it is more than twice as high again.

2. Loss of all natural teeth (edentulism)

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) (2018), around 33% of adults aged 65 and over had lost all their natural teeth (edentulism).

3. Dry mouth (xerostomia)

As people age, salivary glands may produce less saliva, which can lead to dry mouth. Also a common complication of some medications, this can make it harder to keep the mouth clean and healthy. It can also increase the risk of tooth decay, infection and reduction in quality of life. One in 5 older people suffer from this according to the American Geriatrics Society (2017).

4. Root decay

As people age, the roots of their teeth may become exposed, making them more susceptible to decay. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association, around 35% of older adults have root decay (2002).

5. Gum disease

As people age, they may be more likely to develop gum disease. According to the AIHW (2018), around 40% of adults aged 65 and over had moderate or severe gum disease.

6. Oral cancer

Older adults have a higher risk of oral precancer (generally refers to leukoplakia, lichen planus and erythroplakia, conditions with recognised potential for malignant transformation) and oral cancer (usually refers to oral squamous cell carcinoma). According to Cancer Council Australia (2020), oral cancer is more common in older adults, with around 75% of cases diagnosed in people over the age of 50.

7.  Tooth sensitivity

As people age, their teeth may become more sensitive to hot, cold or sweet foods and drinks. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association (2002), around 40% of older adults have tooth sensitivity.

8. Bruxism (teeth grinding)

Older adults may experience bruxism, which can cause tooth wear, damage to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and headaches. According to a study published in the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, around 8% of older adults experience bruxism.

9. Oral candidiasis

Older adults may be more susceptible to oral thrush, which is a fungal infection caused by the overgrowth of Candida yeast. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, around 5% of older adults experience oral thrush.

10. Dental phobia

Older adults may develop dental phobia. This can make it difficult to get the dental care they need to maintain good oral health, and may inhibit regular checkups taking place. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association, around 8% of older adults have dental phobia.

11. Impaired physical and cognitive function

Older adults may have difficulty sitting in a dental chair, opening their mouth wide, or understanding instructions, this can make it difficult for them to receive dental care. According to Dementia Australia, around 47% of people aged 85 and over have dementia. Also, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, around 30% of people aged 65 and over have a limitation in their ability to perform core activities of daily living.

Together with an ageing population comes a responsibility for ‘healthy’ and ‘successful’ ageing. So how will Australian dentists achieve these aims when an ageing population means an increased demand for dental care?

In conclusion, the steady increases in the population of older people—together with increases in tooth retention into old age—pose particular challenges for the oral care system. The dental profession will have to be equipped to meet the dual challenges of treating and preventing the disease in this group. There is a need to identify, develop and test innovative approaches to catering for older peoples’ dental health needs.

Sources

1. Older Australians, Demographic profile. (n.d.-b). Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Retrieved January 11, 2023, from https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/older-people/older-australians/contents/demographic-profile
2. Kanasi, E., Ayilavarapu, S., & Jones, J. (n.d.). The aging population: Demographics and the biology of aging. Periodontology 2000, 72(1), 13–18. https://doi.org/10.1111/prd.12126
3. An ageing population poses dental challenges. (n.d.). Singapore Dental Journal, 35, 3–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sdj.2014.10.001
General: Lamster, I. B. (n.d.). Geriatric periodontology: How the need to care for the aging population can influence the future of the dental profession. Periodontology 2000, 72(1), 7–12. https://doi.org/10.1111/prd.12157

Author

Michelle Mason
m.r.mason04@gmail.com

The post Does Dentistry Meet the Needs of an Ageing Population? appeared first on The Dental Review.

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