Add Significant Value to Your Practice with Orthodontics

Have you considered the benefits of adding orthodontic treatments to your practice? As a dentist, you may be searching “orthodontics courses for general dentists” online in order to expand the treatment options you can offer to your patients. And you are not alone.

You can add significant value to your practice this way, and there are several tips you can keep in mind so that adding orthodontics into your practice is a success.

Find the Right Course for Your Needs.

If you’re looking for help starting an orthodontic practice, you need to find the appropriate courses to start providing orthodontic treatment options. There are many options available today, with some offering a wider range of benefits and others that are better suited to specific needs.

The first consideration is between in-person and online courses. Today, many courses feature elements of both. 

A large number of lectures and tutorials can be delivered through online learning while still relying on in-person workshops for practical skills. Online learning is very convenient, but you also want to make sure that you’re getting the experience you need.

There is also a distinction between comprehensive and niche courses. A comprehensive course will cover a range of treatments and the complete orthodontic treatment process, including diagnosis, treatment planning, follow-up care, and other topics. A niche course is targeted at one specific treatment or orthodontic issue.

To start offering orthodontic treatment options through your practice, a comprehensive course is often the best choice. They can fully prepare you to start treating patients, while a niche course may be too narrow in its scope. 

However, niche courses are often an option for continued education after a comprehensive course is completed to develop even more skills.

Always check to see that you’re dealing with a reputable course provider. There are many fast-track course options online today that don’t provide certification, credit hours, or any real benefits to dentists. Not only that, but they leave you unprepared for successfully providing orthodontic treatment.

Take a Deliberate Approach When Getting Started.

The knowledge, skills, and experience you receive from an ortho course for general dentists are a fundamental part of offering orthodontic treatments. However, they’re not the only elements that matter. If you need help starting an orthodontics practice, plan how you get started very deliberately.

To start offering treatments, you will need to make an investment in orthodontic equipment and treatment materials. The main question to ask is whether you would like to start small and build up over time, or make a larger investment and offer more treatment options from the start.

If you’re starting small, you can evaluate patients who have orthodontic issues and choose cases for which you have the necessary equipment and treatment materials. 

You can continue to refer other cases to an orthodontist as you have done in the past. While this restricts the number of cases you can take, it isn’t necessarily a bad thing when you’re just starting out.

Orthodontic treatments can also have a different workflow than other dental treatments. You should take this into account when scheduling and determining your workload. Orthodontic patients will have specific appointments for tightening or check-ins, so keep this in mind when determining how many cases to take on.

Make sure that you and your staff are familiar with reporting and billing requirements as well. It’s important to get this paperwork right to ensure both your practice’s compliance and a smooth experience for your patients.

Don’t Forget About Marketing.

Once you start offering orthodontic treatment options, you need to take action to inform both current and potential patients. Your existing social media and email lists can be an effective asset for doing so. Of course, you can always discuss treatment options with existing patients directly as they come in for routine appointments and other needs.

Orthodontic cases require multiple visits and are relatively high-margin compared to other dental treatments. This means that it makes economic sense to offer free initial consultations for orthodontic treatments, as every patient represents a more significant revenue stream for your practice.

You can also include brochures and signage at your practice highlighting the new treatment options. You want to make it clear that your practice also offers orthodontic treatment because being able to receive comprehensive care from a single provider can be a deciding factor for patients when choosing a dentist.

Start Off on the Right Foot.

The foundation for successfully offering orthodontic treatments through your practice comes from an effective ortho course for general dentists. Synergy Orthodontic Seminars has a wide range of professional ortho courses available. Browse our upcoming courses and events to find the right fit for your needs.