Top 2015 Dental Industry Trends and 2016 Predictions, written by the Apex360 editorial board of Dentistry iQ in November of 2015, reveals the various changes occurring that year with insightful predictions for 2016. Those surveyed include dental professionals ranging from dentist practice owners and CEOs, to sales and marketing reps, to accountants and dental software experts. Deemed the most comprehensive online resource for dental pros, Dental iQ’s diverse report demonstrates many areas that practice owners can target for a successful 2016. 

The study asked critical questions and reports actionable data for dental professionals such as:

• What was the most significant trend or change you saw in the dental industry this year [2015]? 
• What opportunities did 2015 present, and how did you take advantage of them? 

Each interview boldly finished with the 2016 predictions of the selected expert based on their focus areas as well as the noted trends they witnessed in 2015.   

 Predictions for 2016 include:  

• An increase in technology with an emphasis on 3-D imaging and implants
• A rise in merger and acquisitions and a potential corporate takeover 
• The use of cloud software, especially when establishing new offices
• Increased recognition of dentistry's vital role in solving sleep breathing problems
• The positive effects of the newly established ICD-10 medical coding for dental practices

The report also explores the digitalization of patients as consumers with topics like: 

• The influence of Millennials as consumers and practicing dentists
• Consumer's use of technology and data to connect with dentists
• The growth and use of mobile devices and social media

Marketing and Communications Manager John Hughes of Whip Mix Corporation notes that

"There are over 936 million users on Facebook and 380 million users on Linkedin, numbers that have grown by 20% since last year."

With search engines like Google being the number one resource for finding products and services, a dentist without a Yelp and social media presence is one often undiscovered. 

Hughes predicts dental professionals will use inbound marketing techniques to increase business (what we do at CrossCheck) by generating interesting online content and sharing it with viewers weekly. Inbound marketing maintains the attention of your current following while improving the chance your business will be found online with higher-ranking search engine optimization (SEO). 

Payment solutions for a successful 2016: 

"Nobody knows the dental industry like the professionals who move it forward," state the Apex360 editors. 

The survey's experts also went on to identify a number of payment trends among dental consumers: 

• 67% of patients ask about and research the cost and financing of dental procedures, more than the 58% who only research the procedure itself
• 52% of patients are not aware of payment options, such as financing or CrossCheck’s Multiple Check service
• 47% of those surveyed said they would consider alternative financial options if it enabled them to receive care right away

Knowing that 47% of patients could be walking away due to financial difficulty means the solution lies in your hands. Multiple Check allows patients to receive the care that they need by writing 2-4 checks that are deposited over a period of 30 days. It is not financing, there is no credit check and CrossCheck guarantees the revenue to you. Download our free insider’s guide to see how CrossCheck can provide your practice with increased sales today: