Being involved with the corner of the dental lab industry that is responsible for transitioning into the technological age and more specifically the internet, we have our work cut out for us.
The feature that we have to explain the most is the web based platform we operate from. These same discussions were had in the late 90′s when banks were incorporating web based platforms to increase accessibility and efficiency for the banking industry. When the major banks produced their platform, some customers refused to adopt the new system because of the security risks. 12 years later and the systems are still in place with the majority of people preferring to do their banking via the internet. There are still those that do their banking manually and that system will always exist.
But the banking industry saw an opportunity in the next generation of customers that wanted instant access where ever they were. This younger demographic didn’t want to go into the bank to do their banking, partly because the bank is always closed outside of work hours. So they captured whole market shares of customers wanting the ease of access at any time of day.
Lets apply this to the dental lab industry of today, today being the most important word. We know the ways of the past have worked for the dentist accounts you already have. And like the banks, that system will always exist. BUT, for the thousands of 25 year old dentists who graduate every year, the ones that have grown up with the internet, learnt through the internet, been entertained through the internet and do their banking through the internet, you can imagine the need for a system that will capture such a large market share.
Through the digital prescription, dental labs will reduce the time of a case, reduce the amount of remakes, increase productivity, competition and profitability.
The first question I hear my customers saying when I write the last sentence is “How?”, well I’m glad you asked.
Reducing the turnaround of a case: A digital prescription isn’t going to magically make your technicians work faster, you need the time on the case to ensure the quality and we don’t want to undermine the quality. The area in the schedule the digital prescription saves you time is in the receiving and action of scheduling the case. A dentist doesn’t have to call for the case because you already know it’s coming. The driver doesn’t have to calculate his route because he already knows where he’s going and the dentist doesn’t call to ask when it will be ready because you’ve already told him/her.
Reducing the amount of remakes: No one wants to admit it but sometimes, cases get dropped and have to be remade. This is a downer but it does happen. Evidence of a larger problem is when you deliver the case and it turns out that isn’t what the dentist requested regardless of the quality of hand writing on the prescription. Digital prescriptions have a great feature called ‘required fields’ these are fields that the dentist or dental receptionist has to enter in order to submit the case. The digital prescription doesn’t use hand writing so no more trying to decipher the hieroglyphics. Less remakes equals a direct saving in materials and man hours.
Increased productivity: So with the receptionist/lab not receiving as many phone calls because dentists can now confirm the case delivery time and print invoices and refer to old statements and the case entry staff accepting the case with a click of a button and scheduling the case through the lab with another click of a button what are the staff to do? Work on all the other areas of your lab that need attention. Market to existing dentists, market to new dentists, become DAMAS/ISO compliant, present at the local dentist college etc. You have the opportunity to squeeze more out of your business because you are working more effectively.
Increased competition: Every dental lab has a set of dentists that will use your lab and your lab only, there are those that go between different labs depending on the case and then there are those dentists trying your lab for the first time. Let’s rewind to the point I made about the 25 year old dentists graduating every year and their preference for using technology. If a new dentist has the ability to enter a case into your lab using the web, something they are familiar and comfortable with how do you think you compare to other labs who can’t offer the accessibility. That’s a competitive advantage that means you are increasing your customer base.
And finally the point that gets every business owner interested, increased profitability: Your digital prescription system is in place and with Evident that means that all your scheduling and production systems are all working and tested. Your employees have more time to work on cases and marketing and compliance and organization etc. Your dental lab is attracting more new dentists because you appeal to their way of communication and accessibility. Statements don’t involve printing out hundreds of pieces of paper and posting it in the mail, all costing the lab time and money. All of these factors combined simply mean your dental lab is more profitable.
So there you have it. These are the obvious advantages of the digital prescription, it is up to you and your strategy for your dental lab to decide if these things are what you want to see in your lab. There are lots of resources and solutions out there. Evident dental lab software has focused on accuracy and transition so your digital prescription can be integrated right into your website or even act as a website for your lab. Below is a video showing you how digital prescriptions can compliment your lab.
