Face the demand
UncategorisedPosted by: Dental Design 18th February 2020
We as a society place a great deal of value on appearances. With greater disposable income, many patients are more motivated to invest in elective procedures to enhance the way they look, rather than simply accept their physical “imperfections”. This is the driving force behind the increasing popularity of cosmetic dentistry, with advances in this field giving patients greater freedom and choice over how to improve the health and appearance of their smile. Now it seems that treatment is beginning to extend beyond teeth, as the focus among patients and practitioners alike has shifted towards ensuring that the smile is in harmony with the overall aesthetic of the face.
Considering this, it is unsurprising that facial aesthetic treatment has become highly sought after. The UK’s cosmetic surgery industry is currently worth an estimated £3.6 billion. Non-surgical treatments such as botulinum toxin and dermal filler injections accounting for 9 out of 10 procedures, valuing the sector at approximately £2.75 billion.[i] As with cosmetic dentistry, facial aesthetic treatment is “want” rather than “need” driven, and some experts predict that the demand for such procedures will only continue to increase in the next few years. There are various reasons why facial aesthetics are appealing to many patients.
Firstly, non-surgical treatment is minimally invasive and more cost-effective compared to traditional, surgical cosmetic procedures. Patients are able to pay for treatment in smaller, more affordable instalments. Near-immediate, natural-looking results can be achieved in a single appointment, enabling patients to maximise on the investment of any cosmetic dental work they have undergone. Secondly, non-surgical facial aesthetic treatments often promise shorter recovery times with very little risk of complications, which is a convenient option for patients seeking a quick, hassle-free procedure that does not disrupt their busy lifestyle.
Besides helping patients to look and feel good about themselves, there are numerous other benefits that can be reaped by offering non-surgical facial aesthetic procedures. Doing so can boost business, for instance, as some treatments have to be administered regularly over a certain period of time to maintain results. This helps you retain a patient base who will return to you for top up treatment. Patients that invest in facial aesthetics are also more likely to explore cosmetic dental procedures and vice versa, which presents an opportunity for you to expand your services and upsell treatments, thus distinguishing you from competitors.
Further still, dentists are able to broaden their knowledge and develop new skills in an exciting and developing field. A significant number of practitioners are already undertaking additional training in facial aesthetics. Dentists are well placed to offer such treatments for a variety of different reasons, with one being that they bring excellent transferrable skills to the process. After all, dentists devote years of continued study and training to become experts in orofacial anatomy and develop fine motor abilities to perform intricate procedures, which include administering injections safely and accurately.
Being familiar with the private healthcare environment, dentists are also likely to be more confident in treatment planning for high-value cosmetic treatments. Moreover, dental practices are already CQC registered, meaning practitioners have a clinical space that is suitably equipped to deliver safe and superior care. Ultimately, offering non-surgical facial aesthetic procedures enables clinicians to attract new patients and grow their practice. To ensure you are competent and confident to deliver treatment, it is important to invest in relevant training. Many programmes can offer you ongoing support and guidance to help you integrate treatment seamlessly into your practice.
Facial aesthetics can complement excellent cosmetic dental work and vice versa, but achieving the best results involves taking into account the patient’s entire appearance beyond their smile. As a world-leading authority in cosmetic dentistry, the BACD prides itself on helping dental professionals deliver safe, ethical, high quality treatment that balances the overall aesthetic of the face. One of the ways in which the BACD does this is by offering unlimited learning opportunities that enable dentists to develop their expertise in a wide range of areas. BACD Accredited dentists, in particular, are acknowledged for their knowledge and skills in delivering a combination of treatments that can help patients improve their self-image and self-confidence.
The demand for cosmetic treatment continues to increase. With the expertise, premises, patient base and passion to help improve the overall quality of a patient’s life, dentists are well placed to offer facial aesthetics. For many clinicians, it is a natural progression to extend services in order to deliver non-surgical cosmetic procedures in addition to cosmetic dental work, which go hand-in-hand to truly optimise treatment results for patients. Investing in the relevant training and seeking reliable support – whether from peers, course providers or professional organisations – is vital to ensure the delivery of first-class care.
For further enquiries about the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, visit www.bacd.com
[i] BBC. (2017) Botox and fillers: Are these ‘tweakments’ all they’re cracked up to be? Link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/075551b0-d866-45db-ab6a-149ce182d741. [Last accessed: 19.09.19].
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