What are patients thinking? If dentists could only delve into patients’ thought processes and understand more succinctly how they chose a practitioner, what would they find? They want a dentist who is proficient and resourceful, one that genuinely cares about their dental health, and they want results that they can brag about. In this age of innovation, implementation of digital technology is a visible and practical way to catch their attention, and their business. Because nearly all procedures require radiographs, digital X-rays have become a vital resource to the modern dental office. The patient must understand the problem before accepting the solution. “We spend a lot of time cultivating loyal and satisfied patients,” explains San Francisco-based dentist Dr. Cynthia Brattesani. “When prospective patients compare our practice to others, our digital imaging equipment makes it apparent that we are committed to technology that improves their treatment.”
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Keeping in mind that most patients are not trained in reading X-rays, a digital image displayed on a large computer monitor offers details and size that would be lost on much smaller, traditional film. Dr. Jeff Dalin of St. Louis puts it this way: "When a new patient comes into my office for a second opinion and brings in conventional radiographs, I take one look at those 1" x 2" films and ask if I can retake them using my DEXIS® Platinum technology. I explain that I can no longer look at something that small when I have an opportunity to view things on a large computer monitor. I will even do this at no charge to show them how serious I am when it comes to my ability to make the best diagnosis I can for them (it only costs me 30 seconds of my assistant’s time). They understand exactly what I am saying once I show them images of their teeth on the monitor in my operatory."
Digital’s enhancement functions facilitate greater diagnostics. Developments, such as Platinum’s PureImage™ technology, result in higher resolution and sharper images. This clarity gives the doctor reliable diagnostic information, and both the doctor and the patient added confidence in the treatment plan.
These clinical reasons to implement technology support a more objective reason—digital imaging is something that patients can brag about, leading to increased referrals and potential new patients. Besides the usual chatter over lunch, when a satisfied patient posts the experience on Facebook or myspace, family, friends and business associates will all be apprised of the cutting-edge technology in your dental practice. With today’s computer connectivity, people don’t have to travel far to “read all about it.”
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