Dentists’ concerns for industry, workplace violence and consolidation are some of the topics dental professionals discussed with Becker’s this month.
What we heard in July:
11 dentists share their biggest industry worry
Dennis Flanagan, DDS. Groton/Windham Dental Group (Groton, Conn.): DSOs are consuming dentistry. We need dentist MBAs to run these DSOs. Now many are run by high school graduates and there is now concern for human patients.
Why 1 dentist leader expects shorter appointment times in the future
Dominique Fufidio, DDS. Clinical manager of insurance at Overjet: I see a need to decrease the appointment time. Dentistry is technical, complex, and to accommodate all the patient volume needed in a time of resurgence post pandemic while operating with limited staff and functioning in a thin hiring market, we will be forced to see more patients in the office during our normal business hours and still produce dentistry and accommodate patient restorative needs.
How dental practices are addressing workplace violence
Barry Lyon, DDS. Dental Defense (Baltimore): Dental offices can institute strategies to help reduce the likelihood of a patient dispute. Staff should be instructed to listen and respond carefully to patients' concerns with the goal being conflict resolution, not escalation. Viewpoints and frustrations require empathy and consideration. Patients in the day's schedule who may have issues that could deteriorate into confrontation can be identified in morning huddles. Utilization of prepared, front-line training, similar to those offered to other public-facing healthcare staff, would be a valuable resource. Additionally, active shooter response training should be made available to office staff and providers.
Gas prices causing challenges for dental staff, 2 dentists say
Harry Papadopoulos, DDS, MD. Richmond (Ind.) Oral Surgery Associates: My two offices are about 40 miles apart, so the increased gas cost has been a burden for my staff (and me). I pay standard mileage — which has increased recently, so that helps — but the increased gas prices have to be looked at in the context of the inflation in all goods and services that is happening. I have given most of my staff raises, but I know it's not enough. Giving a 1.5 to 2 percent raise is inadequate when inflation is running at 9 percent. But as a practice owner, I have to keep a lid on overhead, and that has risen significantly with the increased cost of everyday supplies.
Brandon Prusa, DDS: Insurance companies in the dental industry really need to come to a better solution because employees are wanting more money, [and] the bottom line is just getting smaller. Insurance companies, they're the ones that are really making money and they say that they want to help the patient and they're an advocate for their subscribers, but at the end of the day, if you're lowering the reimbursement fee, some dentists have to see more patients so they're tired. [The insurance companies] are shooting themselves in the foot.
3 dental professionals' thoughts on consolidation
Andrew Smith. Executive Director at the Association of Dental Support Organizations: I think what's really intriguing is that DSOs are in growth mode. Dentistry remains one of the fastest-growing industries in healthcare. We see this time and time again that the pie in the oral healthcare marketplace continues to get bigger. DSOs probably will triple in size over the next 10 to 15 years, and we are seeing a ton of consolidation coming out of COVID-19. A lot of our member companies are growing either through affiliation or acquisition, but also are growing through a de novo process. I think it's continuing to get bigger and better, and it really showcases where oral healthcare is growing.
The keys to a long career, per 4 dentists
Robert Trager, DDS. Dentist for employees at JFK and LaGuardia airports (New York City): A long career in dentistry relates to your love of the profession and the interesting and cultural differences of my patients. Since my office is in the airports, JFK and LGA, I treat people from all over the world. I try to learn some of their language and culture and they greatly appreciate it. Having a loyal staff, good location and excellent insurance reimbursements, an ethical lab and good lease. Knowing airports won't go out of business and worry about gentrification. At 82 years, my health is very important and I can still do the procedures I did over 50 years ago without being tired. A sound body and mind keeps me going.