Corporations have taken over almost every business field, including healthcare. Corporate franchises even exist in dentistry. As economies globalize, locally-owned businesses of all kinds must compete with vast corporations. As a patient, it can be hard to determine whether the locally owned dental clinics are best for your needs, or a corporate practice provides better care.
Corporate dental facilities are taking over many big city and suburban markets. What are the differences between these dental clinics and private practices? Knowing these answers can help you make the right choice for your family. Each type of dental care facility has its benefits and drawbacks. Ultimately, the decision is one you have to make for yourself.
Pros and Cons of Corporate Owned Dental Facilities
Corporate-owned dental facilities are more common today than ever before. They differ in how they deliver dental care. For some people, there are more benefits to seeing a corporate dentist, whereas others see these facilities as less adequate. The choice is yours, based on the following common pros and cons.
Benefits of Corporate Dentistry
One of the best aspects of a corporate dental office is economics. A corporate dentist typically charges less than a local dental practice. This price range difference exists because corporations naturally have better buying power for their supplies and equipment. They also have higher staffing levels, enabling them to see more patients. Each of these factors drives prices down.
Drawbacks of Corporate Dental Clinics
Corporate dental centers are created with the intention of providing good patient care. But their operations can feel like an assembly line, one where patients are less individualized. As a patient, you typically receive only the care you need before the dentist moves onto someone else.
As a result of this assembly line of care, you can feel your personal concerns or preventative needs are neglected. You find yourself with little time to talk to your dentist and get to know them, too. Trust is a big factor in how patients feel comfortable in the dentist’s chair. This lack of rapport may make you feel more anxious when visiting a corporate dentist, versus receiving care from the local dentist you know and trust.
Pros and Cons of Private Dental Practices
Privately-owned dental practices also have their benefits and drawbacks. As a patient, you can typically feel the difference upon appointment check-in and through every step of your visit.
Benefits of Private Dental Practices
Instead of operating like well-oiled machines as a standard, these clinics focus more on building trust with patients. They typically consider the personal relationship the most important factor in oral health care, not the number of patients seen.
Because personal relationships are so important in private dental practices, you also receive much more personalized care. You are typically treated by a dentist you know from your community and one who recognizes you from one visit to the next. This dentist and the care team get to know your specific needs as an individual. As a result, the atmosphere of these dental practices feels warmer and more inviting. You feel less stress and anxiety, too.
Drawbacks of Private Dental Practices
The only real drawback of a private dental practice is the cost factor. You will likely pay a slightly higher price for your dental care. This price difference can be seen through higher-cost services or because they do not accept your insurance plan. Of course, this varies from one practice to the next, and many have multiple financing options.
Which Type of Practice Is Right for You?
Ultimately, you have to ask yourself which type of dental practice is right for you. Some people feel fine seeing a corporate dentist. Others want the deeper experience of personalized dental care by a practitioner with whom they develop trust. There is no wrong answer in these scenarios. It all comes down to your individual preferences and needs, as well as where you believe you receive the highest quality of dental care. However, you are welcome to consider Airdrie Family Dentist by ConfiDENTAL the next time you need high-quality dental care.