No industry was immune to the impact of COVID-19 with some industries flourishing while most floundered. Even some of the most stable jobs throughout the world saw job losses during the height of the pandemic. The dental industry was ravaged by a large number of jobs lost due to only emergency procedures being allowed. The resilient industry had no issues with rebounding though with a majority of jobs lost being regained. The revenue during this period was not exactly lost as people still need cleanings and to have other procedures done. The following are things that you should know about COVID-19 and the dental industry.
Money Spent on Dental Care is Supposed to Decrease
There was an obvious drop in spending on dental care during the pandemic. This drop was around 40 percent when compared to 2019. The predicted drop in spending will be 20 percent when compared to 2019. People have less expendable income and might only see a dentist in the case of an emergency. This is going to cause dental practices to become far more competitive in terms of marketing. Less money to be spent in a local area makes each patient retained that much more important.
Some Employees Worked During Lockdowns
There were some employees in dental practices that continued to work during lockdowns. The closure of offices led a number of dentists to renovate their space. Figuring out social distancing procedures and seating arrangements was also imperative. The last thing any dental practice wanted is their office to be a hotbed of the Coronavirus. Renovations like painting were done by employees in order to generate income for their families.
Telemedicine Simply Can’t Cut It
There are so many uses for telemedicine that have been utilized during the pandemic. There were national restrictions lifted to bill these virtual appointments the same as physical appointments. Doctors were also allowed to work across state lines especially if working in an area with limited medical personnel. Dentists will not be able to do anything other than diagnose a problem.
Changes in the Office
The dental office of today is so much different than what it was during 2019. The reduction in contact is essential and patients waiting in cars is not convenient, but it is necessary. The number of patients that can be seen in a day could be reduced. Practices that have had full schedules for years might have to see a patient or two less. The cleaning that has to be done after each patient leaves the chair or goes through the waiting room is proactive. Temperature checks for both staff and patients is another defense against the spread of the virus. Whether you are seeing a dentist in Raleigh or a Fuquay Varina dentist, you need to take a look at the practice’s guidelines.
The dental industry fared far better than a number of other industries. The predicted drops in dental care spending could result in issues down the line. Employment in the dental industry is still relatively stable when compared to other industries.