CATEGORY 104 AUSTRALASIAN DENTIST COLUMNISTS The moment of reflection 2024 By Dr Harry Marget Dr Harry Marget My journey began in 1973, coming from Adelaide, and really not knowing the scene at all. On reflection I should have made more of an effort. However, I found a culture of what I would call l the referral economy, where you basically just referred anything that seemed out of your depth. And for many of the local grads, it was endo, surgery, and crowns, and that was about it. But mixed in there, amongst all that was steady group of people, (bushrangers), who wanted to defy the local given culture. Move forward to today and just about everything you can think of is now being done in local, GP practices, but not without a fair bit of angst from the major players. What this has led to is a clarifying experience, of sorts, that now confuses even the public, who have even less idea what is being reprocessed. And add the insurance companies and now we have a maelstrom of storms that only the local authorities will have the time or patience to sort out! However, from this opportunity springs eternal. For the young dentist who are just starting, they are better prepared to take on this challenge and are commonly armed and ready to do so. Consider the following: 1. The digital economy 2. The lab processing 3. Superannuation funds 4. The multi-player concepts 1. The digital economy Today more than ever, nothing happens, if not in the digital workspace. Most operators will need to supply themselves with this kind of information to proceed. Fortunately, there is help at hand – but at what price? I have recently explored some of these options, where promises are made, to deliver patients to your door in unlimited numbers. But if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. I have been in the company of some forward-thinking young people who have showed me that it can be done and not at a massive cost. So, hope springs eternal. 2. The lab processing I still remember the day the rep came in and said, “How about in-surgery lab processing of your crowns or CEREC. I was a first responder. I am not all that technical and this was a real test. Turns out there were people who loved playing with toys, they sold them all a CEREC and it was not until seven years later I saw the first ones being discarded, the came CEREC 11 AND THEN CEREC 111, etc. However, when the first scanners started showing up, the joy on people’s faces was infectious. I felt for the supply companies; they had boxes of impression material to get rid of. 3. Superannuation funds But I digress, what had all this change to do with the man in the dental clinic in the suburbs? A hell of a lot, because we were all recovering from the kick in the guts from COVID 2.3 and 2.4, So now we find that people are looking at ways of getting funding for more extreme forms of work – implants – through super funds! What do you say? Isn’t that meant to be for retirement? Well that’s what I thought, how naïve was I? Very! Now we have to weave our way through a complex set of rules that pertain to the use of or miss use of these super funds? 4. The multi-player concepts In the early 1970’s I was lucky to be introduced to the concept of the single premium superannuation bond, a seriously good way of saving. My mind is still dealing with concept of the funds for dental work, but I’m learning. (PLEASE HELP) Now we have a new normal, multi players in the mix, super clinics, corporate, country practice, government, and health funds add versions. How the young dentist will adapt to a whole new industry requiring people with years of experience to help sort out the players. Conclusion – where to from here? I think we will see a consolidation of the smaller practice into larger four or five chair type of surgery. Costs are now in the supersonic phase, making it almost impossible to set up and run independent clinics as a stand-alone. The advantage is in managing costs, but mainly to have access to experienced dentists who can guide the younger players. These models have already surfaced. I’ve seen ads for these surgeries that are looking for first year grads to join these programmers. It’s a sound start! The increase in red tape, since I completed my studies in 1973 is just mind boggling, meaning you spend as much time writing notes as you do dentistry. Personally, I think the consolidated dental office with layers of experience is a good idea. Hoping that those of you who took the time to read this will consider trying to build relationships with younger dentist in a spirit of good camaraderie. My hope is that it is possible to form a group of experienced like-minded dentist who could freely offer advice at little or no cost to others. u If this is of interest to you, call me 0412 322 253 or write to me hmarget@ebdg.com.au
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