Saturday, March 14, 2015

GROWING EDENTULOUS POPULATION NEEDS YOUR CARE

In 2001, a survey of Americans estimated that 31.8 million people were edentulous in at least one arch.  By 2010, a similar survey under the auspices of Oral Health-Healthy People 2010: Objective for Improving Health, raised that number to 38.6 million and reported 26% of the U.S. population between 65 and 74 years of age are completely edentulous.

Many of these people remain without teeth due to lack of information, simply unaware of advancements in denture and implant technology that could vastly improve their physical and emotional well-being.  Others are fearful of dental treatment while some believe they cannot afford prosthodontic care.
 
Millions of denture wearers suffer with old, bacteria-ridden, ill-fitting dentures that are unattractive and dysfunctional.  Researchers report that at least half of all denture wearers have problems with their dentures, yet they simply do nothing to remedy their situation.  New denture technology plus implants can vastly improve the aesthetics and function of dentures for millions of Americans.  Talk about an opportunity for dentists to affect the health of all these people and grow a practice in the process!

Organized dentistry can certainly help educate the public-at-large through national campaigns via various media outlets.  Additionally, you can reach these patients and potential patients through your own website and social networking sites and through professional marketing done in-office and community-wide.  Such marketing efforts should focus on education of the lay person about the amazing aesthetics and improved function of their dentures available through prosthodontic treatment.

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