When I got back from the AAO Winter Conference, I was blown away from a impossible-to-ignore trend in orthodontics happening right now. This year centered on the theme "From Small to Tall: Nurturing the Growth of Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics."
The AAO highlighted the evolving landscape of orthodontic practice, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration and technological advancements. As this year's theme was brought to life, I spoke with so many pediatric dentists looking to bring on an orthodontist and vice versa.
It makes perfect sense, this is hugely economical and the synergies between pedo and ortho are fantastic!
Many are finding this synergy offers comprehensive care, enhancing patient convenience and promoting early intervention strategies. Discussions emphasized the benefits of such models, including improved patient outcomes and practice growth. By integrating orthodontic services, practices can improve patient retention, enhance patient care, and increase revenue.
Today, I'm outlining the benefits of adding orthodontics to a pediatric practice and writing out the actionable steps for a smooth and successful integration, based on feedback from my customers who've gone down the same path.
Pediatric dentists already have an established patient population that may require orthodontic treatment. Instead of referring patients to an outside orthodontist, offering in-house orthodontics allows you to provide comprehensive care under one roof.
Orthodontics is a high-demand, high-revenue service that can significantly boost your practice’s profitability. Adding orthodontic treatments, such as traditional braces and Invisalign, creates new income streams while maximizing chair time efficiency.
Parents appreciate the convenience of receiving both dental and orthodontic care in one location. This reduces the hassle of coordinating multiple appointments at different offices and improves patient satisfaction.
By offering both pediatric dentistry and orthodontics, your practice differentiates itself from competitors, attracting more families looking for a one-stop dental home.
Before adding orthodontic services, assess the potential demand in your area:
You can integrate orthodontic services into your pediatric practice in several ways:
Bringing a board-certified orthodontist on staff ensures expert treatment and allows for seamless collaboration between dental and orthodontic care.
Pediatric dentists can complete additional training in orthodontics, particularly for early-phase treatment, interceptive orthodontics, and Invisalign.
Some pediatric dental offices bring in a visiting orthodontist on select days to treat patients within the practice. This model works well if there’s limited demand for a full-time orthodontist.
Now, on the equipment side, many doctors who are pursuing this opportunity are in need of some additional pieces to help their in-office orthodontist(s) be successful. In this case, it may require adding a ceph or CBCT to their digital X-ray, adding I/O scanners as well as 3D printers. Or, on the flip side, it may require additional child-friendly X-rays, such as handhelds and I/O sensors.
But of course, while these are significant capital purchases, they still beat out additional real estate and brick & mortar you already have. AND, if you shop with Renew Digital, you can save 30-50% off new list prices on these types of equipment, and our digital dental division Voxel can support on the handheld, sensor and 3D printing side for a full comprehensive equipment solution!
Adding orthodontic services requires specific imaging and treatment equipment. Consider investing in:
To ensure efficiency and a seamless patient experience, establish a structured workflow for orthodontic cases:
Initial Evaluation (Pediatric Exam)
Orthodontic Consultation
Treatment Planning
Active Treatment Phase
Retention and Follow-Up
Educating your team is essential for successful integration. Consider:
Effectively promoting your orthodontic services ensures that existing and new patients are aware of the expanded offerings.
Orthodontic treatments can be expensive, so offering flexible payment plans and insurance guidance can help increase case acceptance.
Orthodontic integration requires purchasing new equipment, hiring additional staff, and training. Solution: Start with pre-owned equipment and phased hiring to minimize costs.
Balancing orthodontic appointments with regular pediatric dental visits can be challenging. Solution: Implement block scheduling where specific days are dedicated to orthodontic procedures.
Parents may be hesitant about orthodontic treatment, especially early-phase intervention. Solution: Use visual tools (CBCT scans, digital models) and before-and-after images to illustrate the benefits clearly.
Integrating orthodontics into a pediatric dental practice is a strategic move that enhances patient care, increases revenue, and improves patient retention. By hiring the right professionals, investing in essential equipment, developing an efficient workflow, and marketing the new service effectively, pediatric practices can smoothly transition into offering orthodontic care.
For practices looking to integrate orthodontics cost-effectively, certified pre-owned CBCT and digital scanning systems from trusted suppliers like Renew Digital can help lower initial investment costs while maintaining high-quality imaging capabilities.
With the right planning, training, and execution, pediatric dentists can successfully expand their services, becoming a one-stop solution for children's dental and orthodontic needs.
If you have needs on the equipment side, reach out to us! We're happy to fill any gaps you may have reaching your vision.