2023 Industry Trends: The Connected Practice—Greater Access to Imaging and Information

No matter the specialty, most doctors work across a wide network of referrals partners. As a general practitioner, my goal is to protect my patients’ health by catching potential issues early—the possibility for a root canal or the need for implants—and refer them to the right specialist. But that system of care wouldn’t be possible without a platform for my partners and me to communicate and share plans and information regarding the patient’s treatment. That’s why, in 2023, I’m predicting an uptick in the use of imaging and information platforms that will make it easier for multiple offices to collaborate.

We’ve seen systems like these used in Europe, but as dentistry trends ever more digital, the time is right to adopt their use around the world. What will these connected platforms look like? A secure site where doctors can upload large image files, even DICOM files for CBCT scans. But more than an image repository, what the industry really needs is the ability to communicate with care partners, pinpoint areas of interest on images and mark up files so that the entire team is on the same page. Security will be key, as sensitive patient information is shared across the Internet, so not only should files be protected but doctors should be able to grant and restrict access, even amongst team members.

This year is primed for more collaboration and connection. We learned from the pandemic that we can’t always physically work with our peers, or even our patients. So, I’m excited to see how the industry has learned from the past few years and has risen to the challenge of working virtually. These days, having access to everything all the time is almost expected. If I get call a from a patient with a question about their case, I want to be able to immediately go on my computer (or an app on my phone if I’m remote) and be able to view every service we’ve been offering them. The same accessibility is true if I’m working with a doctor or lab several hours, even several states, away. Secure cloud-based applications will make that easier in 2023 and connect doctors, partners and patients better than ever.

To learn more about how Carestream Dental is making imaging and case collaboration more streamlined with its Swissmeda portfolio, click here.

About Dr. Sameni
Dr. Sameni's graduated from the USC School of Dentistry in 1991 and has been a member of the USC clinical faculty since 1998. He is also former senior faculty for the "esthetic selective," which emphasizes a biomimetic approach to restorative and esthetic care. Dr. Sameni was the original director of the USC Advanced Esthetic Dentistry Continuum for the portion relating to indirect porcelain veneers. He is a past-president of the USC Dental Alumni Association; past-president of the USC Century Club; and a member of the Board of Counselors for the USC School of Dentistry. Dr. Sameni was recently appointed as the representative for the School of Dentistry to serve on the Board of Governors for the USC Alumni Association. He currently is the course director for an intensive lecture and hands-on course relating to indirect bonded porcelain restoration and is the chairman and developer of the "USC International Restorative Dental Symposium" for USC School of Dentistry.

Dr. Sameni lectures nationally and internationally on topics related to interdisciplinary dentistry, digital photography and its applications for dentistry, and various aspects of biomimetic and esthetic dentistry and maintains a private practice in West Los Angeles, where he emphasizes comprehensive restorative dentistry, including implant reconstruction and esthetic dentistry.