The 1940s, 50s and 60s marked the arrival of the largest generation America had ever seen: the baby boomers. With that generation came a new level of dental needs.
And dentists delivered. Few niches were left unexplored: Cosmetic dentistry? You got it. Implants? No problem. Orthodontics. Periodontics. The works.
But while we were attending to the needs of the baby boomers, something happened:
The pediatric demographic began to grow. And grow more. With over four million births per year, the 0-18 age bracket will make up over 25% of our population by 2020. This segment already has an established health epidemic: dental caries. We know why. You know why. A casual approach towards oral health is not uncommon – especially for kids, who not only love refined sugar, but also have higher rates of self-perceived invincibility than adults. They’re simply not as concerned. (Let’s be honest, did you have immaculate brushing habits as a kid?) And while this prevalence of tooth decay isn’t exactly riveting information, one thing is different: the sheer numbers. According to the CDC, caries remain the single most common chronic disease in children and adolescents ages 6-19.
Now before you recoil from your screen, put your hands up and think: but I don’t treat kids, why does any of this matter to me?
Consider this:
Less than 5% of dentists are pediatric specialists. If they’re skilled, they may have more patients knocking on their door than they have room for.
This is where you come in: Pediatric Sedation Dentistry, a three-day 25 CE course may be just the thing your practice needs to serve the rising 0-19 population. Sedation dentistry allows you to perform the work of multiple appointments in one, thus reducing your stress and your patients’ stress. (If you were a kid, would you really want to trudge into the dentist three, four, five times in rapid succession?)
What’s more, by offering pediatric sedation dentistry, and developing strong relationships with patients from the start, they may just become loyal adult patients in the future.
Demographics are changing. Are you prepared to turn this situation from an epidemic into an opportunity?
Because now is your chance.
The information contained in this, or any case study post in Incisor should never be considered a proper replacement for necessary training and/or education regarding adult oral conscious sedation. Regulations regarding sedation vary by state. This is an educational and informational piece. DOCS Education accepts no liability whatsoever for any damages resulting from any direct or indirect recipient's use of or failure to use any of the information contained herein. DOCS Education would be happy to answer any questions or concerns mailed to us at 106 Lenora Street, Seattle, WA 98121. Please print a copy of this posting and include it with your question or request.
