Dentistry on the Horizon
New technologies are positioning oral healthcare at the forefront of patient care.
At the nexus of changing trends in how health is envisioned, promoted, and communicated lies the contemporary dental practice. As the benefits of oral health to systemic health are increasingly demonstrated, new technologies and services are being developed and integrated into dental practices to connect patients with the full spectrum of healthcare services.
Dental assistants are often involved in reviewing, purchasing, and implementing many of these technologies. They may be responsible for its smooth introduction into the practice—not only for the safety and comfort of the patients, but for the performance of the entire team. At the forefront of patient contact, dental assistants require the knowledge and authority to communicate the benefits of these changes to their patients.
As a starting point for our readers, Inside Dental Assisting conducted a mini literature review to summarize what key opinion leaders have written about incorporating some of the newer (or upcoming) technologies into daily practice. Excerpts are featured in this issue, with links to the full articles for those who would like to explore these technologies further.
