Cosmetic dentistry is facing significant shifts, with managed care models presenting both challenges and opportunities. The rise of managed care has been a persistent topic, forcing dental practices to adapt their strategies to navigate the complexities of fee-for-service dentistry. Managed care is evolving and is becoming more entrenched in the dental industry.
Traditionally, dentists integrated managed care programs when they had available operating time, using fee-for-service cosmetic dentistry to cover fixed costs. Some practices participate in programs that offer fee schedules exceeding the variable costs of treatment.
Dentists encounter difficulties primarily in three key areas:
1. Poor management of care programs. This includes accepting compensation schedules that do not adequately cover the methods and treatments provided. For example, a dentist diagnosing a patient requiring extensive root planing across multiple quadrants may face financial strain if the compensation doesn’t cover the cost. This can lead to a hygienist not being effectively utilized.
2. Inability to gain patient acceptance for optional, advanced treatments. Even when clinically superior, patients may decline better long-term solutions due to plan limitations or perceived costs.
3. Difficulties managing the administrative burden associated with managed care programs. The paperwork and procedures can be overwhelming.
It has taken dentists time to develop the resources and expertise to navigate the expanding managed care landscape. The future of dentistry hinges on minimizing reliance on managed care by ensuring a steady flow of patients utilizing a full spectrum of services. While some patient demographics may find these services unaffordable, the future may change this. Consequently, there has been a decline in cosmetic dentistry graduates, partly due to school closures and financial challenges affecting student enrollment. The future success of cosmetic dentistry depends on addressing these factors and attracting more students. Factors impacting students include the high cost of education. Offering programs that keep payments manageable could help maintain a strong pool of qualified cosmetic dentists in the years ahead.