Oral health is essential for everyone, which is the reason most households prefer a general dentist. Notably, general dentistry refers to primary dental care, including diagnosis, treatment, and management of oral health issues. Besides, general dentistry is relevant across all age groups. However, general dentistry faces stiff competition from specialised forms of dentistry. Fortunately, general practitioners can achieve a competitive edge by keeping up-to-date with emerging trends in the field. This post highlights three trends that are taking general dentistry by storm.

Segmented Procedure Rooms -- In the past, general dentists used the same procedure room to attend to patients of all ages. It means that adults, teenagers, and toddlers were all treated in the same room. Unfortunately, the generic environment of procedure rooms creates a negative perception regarding service provision. Today, general dentists appreciate the benefits of segmenting procedure rooms, which helps accommodate patients of different ages. For instance, a general dentist can partition their clinic into three sections: one each for treating adults, teens, and children. They can even go further and customise each unit to match a particular age group. The best part is that a general dentist can still use the same equipment in the different sections since most tools are portable. 

Dental Group Practices -- Most general dentists operate private dental practices. However, private clinics are on the decline today thanks to the proliferation of group dentistry. Group dentistry refers to the collaboration between different dental practitioners under the same clinic. For instance, a general dentist can partner with an orthodontist, an oral surgeon, and an endodontist. The partnerships help general dentists treat patients efficiently because they do not waste time diagnosing cases requiring specialised care. Moreover, a general dentist can share the costs of running the practice with the other professionals.

Natural Dental Products -- From toothpaste infused with activated charcoal to bamboo-based toothbrushes, the modern patient has never been more fascinated with natural dental care products. Luckily, there is a steady rise in research on and popularity of natural dental products. Not only do patients consider the dental products safer, but it also buys into their desire to protect the environment for future generations. It is difficult for general dentists to ignore the trend because patients are unrelenting. Therefore, any general dentist who wants to cut a niche for themselves should stock natural dental products for patients who might want an alternative to chemical-based products. 

To learn more, contact a dentist.