Facial aesthetics is a fast growing industry with many medics side-lining, diversifying or even fully transitioning into this arena. As an owner of a dental practice, adding this to your service list may not seem like a logical step initially. But, facial aesthetics can be seamlessly incorporated into your list of cosmetic treatments. And it can be a great way to compliment your cosmetic dentistry, boost your client base and your practice income.
Here are 5 reasons why facial aesthetics are a logical addition to your practice:
1. Dental professionals are experts in head and neck anatomy
Years of training specifically on the internal and external anatomy of the head and neck allows clinicians such as dentists, hygienists and therapists to be well-placed practitioners within the aesthetics industry. With detailed experience and understanding of the oral and maxillofacial areas, dental professionals already have everything in place to use this knowledge to further develop their skills and understanding in facial aesthetics procedures.
2. Injecting experience and transferable skills
Dentists, hygienists and therapists have plenty of experience with injecting on a daily basis as part of their everyday job. Administering medications, reading medical histories and an awareness of drug interactions is commonplace for dental professionals. All these skills are transferable to medical aesthetics.
3. Improving dentistry outcomes
Facial aesthetics, when performed well, considers a lot more than simply plumping and enhancing superficially. Effective cosmetic dentistry can lead to an even better aesthetic outcome and vice versa. With a detailed knowledge of how effective cosmetic dentistry may affect facial features and a patients’ profile etc, dental professionals are well placed to incorporate facial aesthetics into their overall dentistry outcomes.
4. Prevent complications with detailed knowledge of internal anatomy
With an increasing demand for highly skilled and experienced medics to perform facial aesthetics procedures, dental professionals are being recognised by the public as a great place to turn for treatment. With an expert knowledge of internal head and neck anatomy, the ability to use this to deter and prevent complications is being realised. Dental practices are also CQC registered premises as a formality, meaning treatments that require this as essential, such as PDO thread lifts, are very easily incorporated into your service list.
5. Increase in private treatment options and additional income
Having a diverse portfolio of treatments on offer may be a lucrative way to boost practice income. Utilising team members, such as hygienists and therapists may also help to boost this further. From experience, patients attending for aesthetics often go on to have further cosmetic dental treatments such as tooth whitening. And similarly, patients who attend for cosmetic dental treatment often consider facial aesthetics to further boost their confidence if they know it is an option.
Having information on display while patients wait for their appointment, such as informational waiting room TV supplied by EDTV, can be a great way to advertise your expanding service list and ultimately allow you to increase your practice income.
This article was written by Claire Berry a multi -award winning hygienist and author. Claire trained as a dental hygienist whilst serving in the Army, qualifying in 2009. Currently works in 3 practices, as well as being a key opinion leader for brands such as Oral B, Boutique and an ambassador for the BSDHT. With articles published in BDJ In Practice, The Probe, Smile magazine, DH Contact, Young Dentist magazine, as well as numerous FMC publications including a monthly hygienist blog and is on the board for Clinical Dentistry Magazine and Dental Nurse magazine
