CATEGORY 8 AUSTRALASIAN DENTIST NEWS While incorporating orthodontic services into a general dental practice can be a lucrative opportunity, according to Dr Geoff Hall, it also comes with certain risks and challenges. It’s important to carefully consider these factors before expanding services and carry out the relevant training such as The OrthoED Institutes Mini Masters 2-year course.The Mini Masters Course is delivered as nine modules over two years and is hosted by myth busting orthodontist, Dr Geoff Hall. The program includes pre-course reading material, theory, practicals, case examples, treatment planning sessions, troubleshooting, hands on components, full case support over two years as well as a plethora of post course resources. Here are some potential risks of adding orthodontic services into your general practice: 1. Training and Expertise: u Risk: Performing orthodontic treatments requires specialized training and expertise. Without proper education and experience, there’s a risk of suboptimal outcomes or even harm to patients. u Mitigation: Ensure that the dental team undergoes comprehensive orthodontic training. Hiring orthodontic specialists or partnering with experienced orthodontists can also mitigate this risk. 2. Treatment Complexity: u Risk: Orthodontic cases can vary in complexity and attempting advanced cases without the necessary skills may lead to complications. u Mitigation: Start with less complex cases and gradually expand as the team gains experience. Consult with experienced orthodontists for challenging cases. 3. Patient Expectations: u Risk: Patients may have high expectations for orthodontic results. If these expectations are not met, it can lead to dissatisfaction and potential legal issues. u Mitigation: Clearly communicate treatment outcomes, manage expectations, and discuss potential limitations. Provide detailed treatment plans and ensure informed consent. 4. Regulatory Compliance: u Risk: Adhering to regulatory standards and guidelines for orthodontic services is crucial. Failure to comply can result in What are the risks of adding orthodontic services into your general practice? legal consequences and damage to the practice’s reputation. u Mitigation: Stay informed about licensing requirements, regulations, and guidelines related to orthodontics in your jurisdiction. Regularly update protocols to ensure compliance. 5. Financial Considerations: u Risk: Investing in orthodontic equipment, training and marketing can strain the practice’s financial resources. u Mitigation: Conduct a thorough financial analysis before expanding services. Consider phased implementation to spread costs over time. Explore financing options and assess the return on investment. 6. Market Competition: u Risk: The orthodontic market may be competitive and established orthodontic practices may already have a significant share. u Mitigation: Conduct a market analysis to understand local competition. Differentiate your practice by offering unique services, personalized patient care, or competitive pricing. 7. Time Commitment: u Risk: Learning and performing orthodontic procedures can be time-consuming, potentially impacting the efficiency of the general dental practice. u Mitigation: Allocate dedicated time for orthodontic cases and gradually increase capacity as the team becomes more proficient. Consider hiring additional staff if necessary. 8. Referral Network: u Risk: Offering orthodontic services in-house may affect relationships with external orthodontic specialists to whom you used to refer cases. u Mitigation: Foster open communication with external specialists and refer cases that fall outside the scope of the practice’s expertise. Collaborate on complex cases when appropriate. Dr Geoff Hall says, “It’s essential to conduct a thorough risk assessment, seek professional advice and develop a well-thoughtout plan before integrating orthodontic services into a general dental practice. Diligent preparation and ongoing education can help mitigate these risks and contribute to successful integration.” u For more information, visit our web site www.orthoed.com.au email us on info@orthoed.com.au or call 03 9108 0475.
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