Five trends that will define the dental industry in 2018

By Gabriella Munoz

This year will see dentists opening more group clinics, investing in marketing strategies and outsourcing personnel.

With about 1,200 new dentists graduating every year in Australia and only 550 retiring in the same period, the competition is fierce. So, who gets the patients and why?

People will turn to social media to find established practices with great reviews that are affordable and close to home.

And as Australians age, they’ll also be looking at practices that offer plans for those who are about to or have retired and want to make sure they are still able to afford comprehensive dental care.

These trends will define the industry in 2018 and beyond—so read on.

The rise of the group clinic

Although it seems there are enough patients for everyone, the truth is that there is an oversupply of dentists in most Australian cities. And given that not everyone has the means to go to the dentist for an annual check-up or receive treatments, what will happen with the 1,200 dentists who graduate every year? Chances are they will join forces with other specialists to open group dental practices offering a wide range of services, including cosmetic procedures. The trend has been seen in other countries, such as the United States, where graduates have been forced to join group practices because they finish university with a massive amount of debt and they can’t afford to fly solo.

Stepping up the game to retain an older clientele 

If you have your own practice, developing affordable dental wellness plans for people over 60 might be the way of the future. People over 60 have changed their approach to retirement and continue to work until their early 70s. This means they remain independent for longer, have more income, and are more aware of their overall health and well-being. By 2030 many Australians will be over 60, and they will require quality dental work. Dr. Joanna Gray, from Momentum Management, told Bite magazine that “smart practices have started to talk to their roughly 60-year-old patients about how they want their teeth to be when they’re older and looked at how to plan for that now, clinically and financially”. Developing affordable plans for people over 60 that include annual check-ups and cosmetic procedures, can get you many new patients—it’s just a matter of thinking outside the box.

Partnering with a dental Staffing agency to reduce costs

Having your practice is costly, according to the Australian Taxation Office up to 73 percent of a practice’s total income is spent on staff, set-up costs, consumables, insurance, and rent. To lower this percentage, it’s time to consider outsourcing your staff. Melbourne’s most reliable dental agency, DentAide, offers a 24/7 booking system and a pool of nurses who have completed a Certificate III in Dental Assisting as a minimum and have at least two years of experience in Australia, all of them have their uniforms and are ready to hit the ground running. The agency is well-known for adapting to their clients’ needs, making it a great choice for busy practices and those who have just started in the business.

Finding alternatives for those who lose their extras cover

In the past five years, private health insurance coverage has stimulated industry growth. Since 2013 industry revenue grew 3.1 percent annually, and the trend is expected to continue this year. People are more likely to visit the dentist if they know their insurance company will pay a part. But with the rise of the ‘freelance economy' and the middle class losing financial stability, the trend won’t last forever. Think of creative ways of ensuring your patients stay with you even if they have to let go of their extras policy. Offer payment plans, loyalty bonuses, and other incentives.

Not being afraid of social media

Good-old word of mouth is not enough to get new patients. Today you need to be out there, actively looking for clients and researching what your competitors are doing. Not having a website is the equivalent of career suicide these days. Patients expect optimised websites where they can book an appointment in seconds, but they also look for information about the dentist. So, invest in your social media and put yourself out there. People want to connect with others, so including your bio and links to causes that are close to your heart can make a huge difference.