Navigating a diverse patient population
Featured Products Promotional FeaturesPosted by: Dental Design 5th November 2021
In the last century, an interesting change has come over the UK population. As healthcare continues to improve and more and more people are able to live longer, healthier lives, it has meant that the UK population has become older.
In fact, the UK is now classed as having an ageing population – meaning that there are more elderly individuals alive today than ever before, and this number is only projected to keep on rising.[i]
However, despite this growing demographic, the UK population remains incredibly diverse. According to statistics, in 2020 the UK had almost one million people aged 55, with similar figures for people aged 29 and eight years old.[ii]
So, how do you ensure that you’re able to provide treatment for a diverse population?
Consider the needs of different age groups
As a first step, it’s a smart idea to look at the individual needs that different age groups may have in terms of their oral health and smile aesthetics. Once you have done this, you can look at which treatments you think will benefit the majority of your patient list, and if there is any potential to offer services that will appeal to multiple age groups.
Some of these are relatively obvious – for example, among younger, teenage patients there is likely to be a demand for orthodontics. But have you considered that a growing proportion of adults are also looking into orthodontic treatment?[iii] Similarly, facial fillers and other aesthetic tweaks may seem like treatments primarily aimed at the middle-aged market. However, with more individuals in their 20s and 30s wanting these solutions,[iv] this is another great example of how certain procedures can appeal across age ranges.
These considerations will change depending on the core age demographic of your patient lists and any potential patients you want to attract. If you are looking to usher in new business, it’s worthwhile looking at the age demographics of your local area and seeing if there are any treatments that are especially appealing for those age groups. For instance, if your practice is in an area with a primarily elderly population, it’s a smart move to explore treatments such as dental implants and dentures, as these are likely to be more useful to individuals in this age bracket and align with their needs. On the other hand, if you’re near multiple schools, you could think about offering services such as custom-fit mouth guards, as these are likely to be popular due to sports teams and games lessons.
Choosing technology that is versatile to your needs
Having a comprehensive list of treatments available also means that you should consider the systems you’re using in practice and whether these are suitable for patients of diverse ages. Think of the physical limitations of the patients you treat – are your imaging systems able to accommodate elderly people who may need to sit during image acquisition – are they adjustable and flexible to your needs? These aspects can make a big difference, and while there are of course a range of body types and heights among every age group, it’s beneficial to have systems that cover all bases.
Another example may be your intraoral scanner – does your system have a selection of tips for use in different mouth sizes? It’s a small detail, but it can make a big difference.
Products that apply to all ages
One difficulty that can emerge from treating patients of different ages is that this can mean that you have many products in your armamentarium to suit all indications.
Indeed, a restorative that may be suitable for paediatric patients won’t necessarily be the best choice for elderly individuals, and this can mean that your product selection can quickly expand. As well as being more complicated and expensive, this also inevitably leads to more waste, especially if you are having to throw away half-used, expired products on a regular basis.
One way to combat this is to look into investing in products that can be reliably used across patients of any age group and that are versatile to meet a number of indications. One such example is Ketac Universal Aplicap Glass Ionomer Restorative from 3M Oral Care, which has been specifically developed to provide outstanding results in a wide array of indications, including restricted stress-bearing Class I and Class II restorations.* Furthermore, it releases fluoride for up to two years after placement, providing effective, lasting protection for all.*
Planning for the future
As the UK has such a diverse age population, it’s always a good idea to cover all bases when it comes to the portfolio of treatments you offer. This way, you can not only appeal to the core demographics of your existing patient list and local area, but also be prepared to treat every patient who comes through the door.
*3M internal data
Andrew White PhD MCIM | Senior Marketing Executive Northern Europe
For more information, call 08705 360 036 or visit https://www.3m.co.uk/3M/en_GB/dental-uk/products/glass-ionomers/ketac-universal/
3M, and Ketac are trademarks of the 3M Company.
[i] Age UK. Later Life in the United Kingdom 2019. Link: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/globalassets/age-uk/documents/reports-and-publications/later_life_uk_factsheet.pdf [Last accessed August 21].
[ii] Statista. Population of the United kingdom in 2020 By Age. Link: https://www.statista.com/statistics/281174/uk-population-by-age/[Last accessed August 21].
[iii] BBC News. Adult Braces. Why Are More Grown-Ups Getting Their Teeth Straightened? Link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-49183879 [Last accessed 21].
[iv] The Philadelphia Inquirer. Facing Pressure To Look Even Younger, More Women in Their 20s and 30s Are Getting Botox And Other Anti-Aging Procedures. Link: https://www.inquirer.com/health/wellness/anti-aging-skin-treatments-botox-younger-patients-20210520.html [Last accessed August 21].
