How technology can help boost your bottom line

When you sit back and think about it, isn’t it amazing how technology has changed in the dental practice? Even thinking back to just a decade ago, the advances that have been made in technology apply to so many areas of the practice.

This includes the diagnostic side of your business, too. The advances in everything from sensors to intraoral cameras have moved our industry forward at light speed. These advances have helped dental practices not only ensure better treatment for their patients, but also add more to their bottom line.

Using data collected by Sikka Software from more than 12,500 dental practices from across the United States, we took a look at the numbers when it came to production attributed to diagnostic procedures in the practice.

Related reading: Sikka Software announces new data options for dental practices

Some of the codes that fall under the diagnostic section of your practice include D0120 (periodic oral evaluation – established patient), D0210 (intraoral – complete series, including bitewings) and D0150 (comprehensive oral evaluation – new or established patient). Those codes are some of the most frequently used by dental practices across the country when it comes to insurance claims.

So, how do the numbers stack up over the last seven years? Take a look below.

Diagnostic production per practice

2010: $16,230.60

2011: $16,792.37

2012: $17,186.01

2013: $17,845.29

2014: $18,552.17

2015: $19,632.61

2016: $19,863.68

It’s a number that has grown for dental practices every year in the last seven years. That’s good news. It’s also potentially showing that practices are putting all technologies available to them to good use in the operatory.

“This next generation of dentists understand the value of technology, not only in terms of how it will help their patients, but also how it’s important for their patients to see that they are on the cutting edge of the field,” says Dr. David Rice, the founder of IgniteDDS and an editorial board member for Dental Products Report. “Dentists who use the technology that is available to them, and understand the business behind it, are the ones who will be leading the charge when it comes to the profitable practice of tomorrow.”

How are you using technology in your practice? How are your patients benefitting from it? How is that technology helping boost your bottom line? These are three important questions every dentist has to be able to answer if he or she is going to succeed in today’s technology-driven world.

Want to learn more about what Sikka Software can do for your practice? Practice Mobilizer is a free app that lets you send HIPAA compliant video messages, track patient arrival times, provide zip code specific fee data and more. Click here for more information.