Practice Management

Boost your DentistryIQ: How automation can help you conquer the staff shortage

June 28, 2021

Demand for dentistry is back—but due to staff shortages, practices can't keep up. Orthodontist and automation expert Ryan Hungate, DDS, MS, explains how the smart application of this inexpensive tech can make your staff go further and avoid burnout.

Pamela Maragliano-Muniz, DMD

Ryan Hungate, DDS, MS

Earlier this month, the ADA said that the demand for dentistry was back to 86% of what it was in 2019. But based on traffic through Simplifeye, practices are seeing more like a 112% increase in demand. So what's holding them back? A staff shortage that is due to several factors in the postpandemic economy.

While practices may not be able to fix the staff shortage—at least not in the short term—the application of automation tools such as Simplifeye can help them cope with the increase in demand and keep staff from becoming frustrated and burned out. Here's how!

For many more informative and up-to-the-minute video chats with key industry experts, visit DentistryIQ Videos.

About the Author

Pamela Maragliano-Muniz, DMD

Pamela Maragliano-Muniz, DMD, is the chief editor of DentistryIQ and editorial co-director of Through the Loupes. Based in Salem, Massachusetts, Dr. Maragliano-Muniz began her clinical career as a dental hygienist. She went on to attend Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, where she earned her doctorate in dental medicine. She then attended the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Dental Medicine, where she became board-certified in prosthodontics. Dr. Maragliano-Muniz owns a private practice, Salem Dental Arts, and lectures on a variety of clinical topics. You may contact her at [email protected].

About the Author

Ryan Hungate, DDS, MS

Ryan Hungate, DDS, MS, is a practicing orthodontist and the founder and CEO of Simplifeye, a company that focuses on creating digital solutions for healthcare practices to increase new patients, reduce overhead, and reduce bad debt. More than 8,000 dentists and healthcare providers use Simplifeye’s 24/7 live chat on their websites, plus the company offers solutions for self-scheduling, patient recare and reactivation, modern payment infrastructure, and telehealth. Visit simplifeye.com for details.