Why You Need to Partner with a SMART Dental Lab

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Why You Need to Partner with a SMART Dental Lab

Every dentist operates their practice in their own unique way. Some have a preference and appreciation for the traditional methods of managing their patients and respective cases—these practitioners have few, if any, of the newest technologies—while others have begun the process of integrating digital equipment and solutions.

A “SMART” lab, although technical in nature, will have the flexibility to adapt and support a dental practice in whatever approach the dentist deems the most advantageous to his or her patients. Almost all dental practices evolve over the lifetime of operation, but those changes and advancements should not require a change in dental lab support. Unfortunately, however, this is often the case.

Let’s Take a Step Back to Understand the Role of a “SMART” Lab From a Technological Perspective:

The word “SMART” has evolved into a double entendre. Ask a technology professional and you’ll learn SMART is actually an acronym that means Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology. The original term was coined by IBM in 1992 to describe the company’s ability to predict computer hard drive failures. Over time, the acronym has evolved into an adjective that describes digital access to information, either located on a computer’s hard drive, digital devices, or through the Internet. Regardless of where the data originates, the end user expects to have immediate access. 

Dental practices are among the slowest to adopt digital/smart technology for several reasons, with cost representing one of the most significant barriers. If your practice has been struggling with this decision, it may be time to consider partnering with a dental lab, such as Golden Ceramic Dental Lab, that has the flexibility to not only adapt to how your office is managed, but that also can support your unique practice with many digital benefits. This approach, at a minimum, will allow any type of practice to leverage on-demand digital case management access. 

Dental Practice On-Demand Case Management Benefits

Here’s a look at several benefits your practice can realize without making a digital capital investment:

Anytime, Anywhere Access. The need to access patient information can occur at any time, day or night. The best cloud-based systems provide your office with a secure portal to check on or retrieve a case when it fits your needs, versus waiting until the next business day. Even more convenient is the ability for you and your support staff to access your secure portal at any location, on any device.

Security. Your patient information is automatically backed up and encrypted. This ensures you and your office are always HIPPA compliant.

Virtual Rx Case Uploads. Using on-demand access to an Rx form database allows you to upload your patient cases quickly and easily. The forms are available at your convenience through your own secure portal. In less than a few minutes, you can accelerate case production by up to a week.

Production/Manufacturing Tracking. Track the progress of any case through final destination delivery. This will help you accurately schedule appointments without inconveniencing patients.

Online Messaging. To save additional time, the online dashboard allows notes or questions to be posted by your office or one of your lab’s technicians.

Invoice and Payment Access. Eliminates a layer of administrative tracking, bill payment scheduling, and unexpected costs.

These are only a few ways dental practices can leverage a SMART dental lab to accelerate turn-around time. However, partnering with a digitally upgraded lab can lead to other significant benefits in the fabrication process.

What Should a Digital Dental Office Expect From Its Lab?

If your dental office(s) has initiated the process of adopting digital dentistry, it’s critical to partner with a lab that can support these upgrades. Applying the following criteria when selecting a lab capable of supporting both your short-term and long-term plans will prove to be time and cost efficient:

Quality, Timeliness and Cost. Regardless of fabrication capabilities, this criterion always should be the first priority. Meeting with the owner or senior management and reviewing past lab cases will provide the greatest peace of mind and confidence in the lab’s capabilities and overall performance.

Digital Workflow. A modern or SMART lab will have an established process and an experienced team of technicians and experts who know how to manage digital workflow and automated production. To maintain office efficiency, you will need to rely on the lab’s expertise.

The Right Design. SMART labs will have adopted and know how to operate digital enhancements such as Computer Assisted Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM). These enhancements improve the design and creation of dental restorations, especially dental prostheses such as crowns, crown lays, veneers, inlays and onlays, fixed bridges and dental implants. Look for a lab that has already adopted this digital equipment instead of a lab that is outsourcing to third parties. The efficiency this provides will inevitably play a role in quick case turnaround.

3D Printing Capabilities. The 3D Printing industry is nearing a value of $1 billion and is expected to climb to $3.1 billion by 2020. The value of partnering with a lab that recognizes the importance of adopting 3D printing process to work with CAD/CAM scanners can be priceless. These systems provide the capability to replace or repair damaged teeth, crowns, bridges, caps, dentures and more—both quickly and with optimal precision. This combination enhances the first priority, which is Quality, Timeliness and Cost.

Compatibility. If your office is using 3Shape files, or similar digital scans, digital case management portals such as Lab Star have the ability to acquire patient information directly from the 3Shape files. This saves time and, more importantly, reduces errors inherent in double entries. 

Personal Digital Consultant. For offices considering adopting or who have already adopted digital dentistry, an experienced SMART lab could be the most valuable resource. These labs can help you determine which manufacturers will meet your office’s unique needs based on your short- and long-term goals.

Partnering with a SMART lab offers your practice a host of benefits. Choosing the right one will lead to more flexibility, enhanced work flows and higher-quality results. 

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