There are many advances in dental science, and a host of areas where dentists can not only have a positive effect on their patients’ overall health, but also increase their own business.
Some of these areas might not seem so evident, but they can become important revenue streams for your practice. Consider sleep disorders. You wouldn’t think this would be an area for dentists to concern themselves with. But dentists can expand their practice and improve the lives of their patients by embracing the latest research and technology in diagnosing and treating sleep disorders.
Foremost among these are oral appliances to treat sleep apnea. Now, sleep disorders are a huge market in the United States, with nearly 20 million Americans suffering from obstructive sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea increases risk of heart attack and stroke, diabetes and the risk of accident. The average practice has as many as 400 patients who are affected by sleep apnea. Each case has the potential to increase revenue upward of $2,000. And that’s an increase in income without any additional marketing, networking or other external resources.
Since more medical practitioners as well as patients have become aware of the seriousness of sleep apnea, you don’t need to give your patients a hard sales pitch. They will be eager for a simple dental solution to their bedtime woes. It worked for me: I was thrilled with the results from my own oral appliance. Sleepiness is no longer sabotaging my success thanks to this little piece of plastic.
It’s simple to get started. Integrate dental sleep medicine into your practice. Take a weekend course on treating sleep apnea. Purchase a home sleep study system. You’ll quickly see a profit on your investment as you become the go-to resource for diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea in your community.
You’re a dentist. That doesn’t mean you have to spend your career confined to drilling and filling. Expand your horizons and increase your profitability. Offer treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. I want to hear from you. What options have you investigated to expand your practice?
