Inevitable changes in the medical and health coverage are forerunners of the impending changes in dentistry. Dental health care still has time though to proactively chart a route to influential the future directions.

McAllen, TX -- (SBWire) -- 11/04/2014 --The dental industry in the United States is currently facing a phase of revolution. The aging population amidst the quick changes the health care delivery system is currently facing due to the execution of the Affordable Care Act, not to mention the reliance of a larger number of people to technology where greater value for their dollar spending are being sought are all factors to the critical trends affecting the direction of dentistry. It cannot be denied that the instability of dental health industry can be attributed to the nature of oral diseases and how financial support to address the growing pains in the dental industry. Xpress Dental Clinic, an expert dental practitioner in McAllen, Texas, expressed their own views on how the current transformation in the industry would bring in several changes to their efficiency and worth as a dental practitioner.

The American Dental Association identified the rising trends that are shaping the future of dentistry. Based on the study conducted by Diringer and Associates in 2013, the following are the factors affecting the dental health industry:

People. This comes with an aging population where diversity is becoming an issue too resulting to a variety of disease patterns, care-seeking preferences, and paying capacity. With the competition in the field of dental industry becoming stiff as well, consumers tend to become smart purchasers wherein value for their spending are highly-considered.

Dental Health Providers. There is but a growing number of well-trained dental health practitioners. However, the rising debt load and changing demographics are modifying new dentists’ preferences when it comes to identifying the practice or specialization. This creates quite a challenge for an expanded dental team to offer restorative and preventive services.

Dental Insurance. For a dentist in McAllen, Texas, he believes that the provision of more dental benefits to millions of additional children via the small group and individual niches and elective Medicaid expansions is the advocate of the Affordable Care Act. These public programs entail an increased number of participants / beneficiaries that therefore increases the demand more accountability from dental providers.

Payment Methods. The public programs are forcing a shift from commercial dental insurance to public coverage and personal “out-of-pocket” payments. There is also an increased demand for dental practitioners to be more accountable with the use of data and performance measures as commercial data plans gave rise to the use of more selective networks. Ironically, these factors are forcing dental health providers to reduce costs.

Practice Repercussions. Dental practices are required to be more efficient given the rising demand for value. There is a demand for multi-site practices thus the need for smaller provider networks where competition for patients is expected to be tough. Alternative models of dental care will be sought as a result of the need for cost-effectiveness brought about by the reform in the dental health care and Medicaid expansions.

The dental health industry is daunted with a number of challenges besetting its sustainability. The continuous change in demographic patterns and government policies all have considerable impact on the dental health industry in the US. Thus calls for a vital moment for the profession. Inevitable changes in the medical and health coverage are forerunners of the impending changes in dentistry. Dental health care still has time though to proactively chart a route to influential the future directions. It is not yet too late.

About Xpress Dental Clinic
Xpress Dental Clinic prides themselves on being a different dental office, where they utilize technology and focus on customer service to enhance the patient experience. Xpress Dental Clinic believes that going to the dentist should be a positive experience and they always strive for excellence by always looking into how they may improve our level of service.