Care Convergence: The Future of Dental Practice
January 6, 2025
Could a dental chair become the front line of preventive medicine?
The integration of medical and dental care is revolutionizing patient outcomes, with dentists now using routine chairside tests to assess everything from cardiovascular risks to diabetes markers during standard dental examinations. In an article in Dental Economics, Mariya Filipova explains how this shift isn’t just about doing more—it’s about doing things differently.
The emerging model of care convergence is transforming how dental practices operate, creating new revenue streams while improving patient outcomes. Leading practices are already leveraging existing diagnostic tools for broader health assessments, enhancing cross-specialty collaboration, and streamlining information sharing through digital solutions. By integrating preventive care into routine appointments and focusing on value-based care models, dental practices are positioning themselves at the forefront of a healthcare revolution that treats the whole patient, not just their teeth.
Mariya Filipova is a Managing Director of 4100DX and co-host of the Think Oral Health podcast. A seasoned Fortune 20 executive and systemic health investor, she specializes in scaling category-defining solutions in integrated care delivery and new payment models.