The Next Big Movement in Dentistry
In the 60s it was Bob Barkley and the emphasis was, for the first time, on the fact the gums were as important, if not more so than the teeth dentists treated.
In the 70s the big excitement was composites verses amalgams especially posterior composites. Also on the forefront were composite buildups versus crowns for less invasive dentistry.
The 80s brought the Hollywood smiles....perfectly aligned, bright, healthy smiles. Veneers, cosmetic whitening, and all phases of cosmetic dentistry hit an all time high during that period and remains a big part of dentistry today.
Next in the 90s came spa dentistry and implants. Spa dentistry was the fastest growing and fastest dying segment of dentistry because busy people like to get in and out of the dental chair as quickly as possible. They do not like dental appointments with manicures and pampering. Spa dentistry is also the first to go south in a recessionary time....Implants on the other hand started strong in the 90s and have become the fastest growing segment of restorative with many GPs now placing implants when in the years before it hit its stride for popularity, they were primarily done by periodontics and oral surgeons.
The 2000's saw an upswing in sleep apnea along with quicker ortho with Invisalign and Six Month Smiles. Those services continue to grow as more dentists add a wider menu of services due in part that the millennials do not need the amount of dentistry their parents and grandparents needed.
What's on the horizon for the next decade or two? And what will be the next BIG THING in dentistry? Whole Health Dentistry and Dental Oncology. Medical testing, DNA, bacterial testing, stem cell replacement and dental oncology which means doing dental clearances and follow up care for all cancer patients. The clearances allow patients to immediately begin their chemo and radiation treatments. Delaying the dental clearances because few dentists know how to care for them could be deadly for some cancer patients.
Come to the AAOSH Scientific Session and have two full days of CE on these very topics. Don't be the last to be part of this exciting revolution. Those who develop clear relationships with the medical communities nearest them will see the phenomenal growth in their practices. Those who sit idly by will miss the boat of opportunity for the next big movement. Hope to see you September 16-17 in Orlando. DON'T MISS IT!