There are many advantages afforded by digital dentistry for clinicians, team members and patients. The most important of these for the profession team is the ability of modern technology to streamline and simplify treatment workflows, increasing operational efficiency and enabling individuals to perform at their very best. The result is greater job satisfaction, improved collaboration between team members (and patients), and enhanced practice environments in which to work.
Digital solutions also increase the predictability and quality of clinical treatment delivered, which means improved outcomes and happier patients too!
Optimising digital workflows
In order to really harness the advantages of digital dentistry, at Clyde Munro we understand that our dentists need the right education and support. That’s why we provide various training opportunities to introduce our clinicians to new technology and help them become familiar with all equipment functionalities.
For early careers dentists, our Best Foot Forward and Flying Start programmes both cover digital dentistry. The dedicated training days introduce dentists in their initial years post-qualification to the world of digital dentistry in a practical and supported way. Our purpose-built Advanced Dentistry & Clinical Skills Centre also presents digital-focused training to dentists at all stages of their careers who are interested in updating and diversifying their treatment workflows with digital solutions.
Broad digital capabilities
To help our dentists meet the needs of all our patients, we provide and facilitate access to a wide range of technologies across the group. We continuously invest in our dentists, our practices and our patients, industry-leading, evidence-based technologies installed across our business. These include:
IOS
Intraoral scanning is becoming a staple in dental practices around the globe. We have introduced leading brands of solutions into our practices, optimising the treatment they can deliver while improving the professional workflow. We work with leading provider in the field, Dentsply Sirona, providing cutting-edge intraoral scanners for many of our dentists to utilise in every day dentistry. The Primescan is designed to be lightweight and ergonomic for easy handling, it facilitates versatile workflows, promotes optimal hygiene and ensures patient comfort.
CBCT
For dentists involved with more complex and multidisciplinary patient care, access to a CBCT scanner can be essential. We have the state-of-the-art machines located across our network, enabling our dentists to obtain the diagnostic information they need for enhanced anatomical visualisation and exceptional treatment planning and execution in a range of clinical indications.
AI-powered digital technology
Bringing our digital workflows to the cutting-edge of the profession, Clyde Munro dentists have access to AI-supported technologies for even greater benefits.
We implement Pearl Second Opinion® within our practices, which provides AI-assisted support for clinicians reporting on radiographs. It highlights potential areas of concern or disease, allowing the clinician to correlate the data with their own findings for a confident diagnosis with nothing missed. It saves the dentist time and the report can be used to communicate with the patient and improve their understanding of their condition or treatment need as well. Patients are blown away by the technology and are typically more engaged with their oral health as a result for increased treatment acceptance.
We also use Dental Monitoring software throughout Clyde Munro practices. This supports orthodontic treatment by enabling or dentists to oversee patient’s treatment and confirm tooth movements remotely. Patients simply upload photos of their teeth throughout their treatment, which the dentist can check against the treatment plan to ensure all is progressing as expected. Any issues or concerns are identified immediately and can be rectified faster than may be possible with the traditional practice appointments. All of this means fewer practice visits for patients and enhanced efficiency for dentists and their teams – who have more time to spend with other patients.
CHROME GuidedSmile
For dentists with experience within dental implantology, guided surgery can provide an easier and more reproducible approach to treatment. That’s why we introduced CHROME GuidedSmile.
This is patented software from the US that makes digital implant treatment design simpler, quicker and more predictable. It helps clinicians accurately determine the ideal position for a dental implant, improving both the surgical and restorative outcomes. The technology affords unparalleled visualisation of the treatment area, for enhanced treatment planning and minimal risk of complications. This, in turn, also bolsters clinical notes so that the dentist can clearly demonstrate the steps taken to ensure safe and effective treatment, should any questions or concerns arise later down the line.
3D printing laboratory
To enable clinicians to provide their patients with high-quality restorations as quickly as possible, we have our own 3D printing laboratory.
This is a collaboration between Clyde Munro and OurCrown Dental, based in Glasgow. We provide fully digital solutions for partial and full dentures, mouthguards, whitening splints, occlusal splints, permanent crowns, and provisional bridge work. OurCrown provides the excellent design services, and we then 3D print, finish, and send the finished lab work to our practices. This efficient system enables cliinicians at Clyde Munro to provide the patients with the care they need, when they need it.