For dental professionals, it’s significant to make
quick purchase decisions when replacing broken dental equipment or to take advantage of limited-time
pricing. While equipment and technology are necessary for doing your best work,
they can also be expensive and set you on a constant run after for the latest
and greatest tools.
In the complex world of dentistry, the process of
purchasing new devises and technology can be overwhelming. First, you need to
determine what equipment can best help your practice; then you need to choose a
vendor; and finally—and perhaps most importantly—you need a way to finance your
investment. Consider these questions to help you make the best purchase
decision for your practice:
How will it differentiate my practice and enhance my capabilities?
Differentiating your dental practice is key to
staying competitive in your market. Having modern technology can set you apart
and help you better diagnose and treat your patients. Upgrading older equipment
can help create a more efficient, smarter practice.
If you’re looking to increase income or attract new
patients, you could consider adding new services to your office. Research what
other practices around you aren’t doing that you could. Perhaps adding just one
new piece of equipment can enable you to perform new capabilities that you’ve
typically referred to outside specialists.
How will it appeal to patients?
Today’s consumers live in a high-tech, mobile-first,
on-demand world; does your practice reflect their lifestyle? They are used to
having devices in their hands, getting information instantaneously and using
technology for research. Consider this, 71% of millennial patients are
interested in managing their appointments; records and preventative care via a
mobile app. You don’t want to be a twentieth-century dentist practicing in a
twenty-first century world.
I already have the best equipment; what else could I need?
Don’t forget about your practice’s digital presence
and the software behind it. Customer relationship management (CRM) software is
changing the healthcare industry, simplifying data for both employees and
patients. CRM software allows you to best manage your relationships with
patients to deliver the best treatment possible. Having an up-to-date,
easy-to-use online portal where patients can easily manage their cleanings, pay
their bills, and access their records can make their lives easier.
What’s my return on investment?
We understand some of the price tags can be
staggering and it may be uncomfortable to bite it all off at once. However,
think long term. For example, an updated piece of equipment could cost you
thousands up-front, but it can enable you to do twice as many
procedures/screenings as an older piece of equipment. You could potentially
treat more patients, double your billing, and further increase revenue. When
looking at the numbers, you may be able to pay your equipment off and see
positive returns faster than you think.
Is the investment really worth it?
As dental equipment gets older, it requires more
maintenance to keep running at standard performance. Routinely calling
maintenance specialists to make repairs takes time and money. By investing in
newer, more reliable dental equipment you can keep it running at optimal
performance. Again, this is where looking at the long term can guide a
decision. Your time, money and patients are likely worth more than the hassle
of routinely fixing older dental equipment.
Will it help my office attract
top talent?
Part of staying competitive is having a great staff.
While trying to recruit and hire the best talent, having the most up-to-date and
advanced technology options can be a deciding factor in a potential employee’s
decision.
How can I utilize the equipment to its fullest potential?
Having the most up-to-date equipment can benefit
your office in so many ways, but only with proper usage and training. Too
often, dentists purchase the best equipment on the market, only using it to
continue doing same things they have always done. Investing in training can
ensure any given piece of equipment is being used to its fullest potential,
further maximizing your return on investment.
What’s the best way to finance?
Examine whether leasing or buying makes the most
sense for you.
Sometimes price is not the most important thing when
choosing the right dental equipment
online. Rather than a
good offer, you should consider other things like proximity (in case of a
technical urgency it is important that the technician can come instantly), professionalism
and quality service.
At the end of the day, the most important thing you
can offer your patients is access to the exceptional care, diagnosis and
treatment. Making the right investment decisions for your practice can pay off
tremendous dividends in the long run.
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