Blockchain in Dentistry. Why it can work?

Dentistry is a highly fragmented market, which is relevant to everyone. The industry itself is in the hands of 1.6 million dentists globally, working independently, forced to work on short notice by the current system of tariffs, settlements and insurances and unable to achieve cost efficiency.

Blockchain can improve dentistry. How? First, we have to understand how dental practice operates and what is the impact of developing a blockchain platform that can be used by Dentists and Dental Patients.

From dental patients perspective, the most commonly reported individual health-related service not received because of the cost is dental care. Eighty-one percent of individuals with dental benefits reported seeing a dentist twice a year or more, while only 34 percent of uninsured individuals reported the same frequency of seeking preventive care. Furthermore, people without dental benefits are less likely to have tooth-saving and restorative procedures (fillings, crowns, root canals) than those with benefits but more likely to have extractions and dentures.

On the other hand, a study was conducted in 3 regions to conclude key success factors in dental practices. The study found that customer’s service experience and doctor’s skill are vital factors to all.

The application of Blockchain in Healthcare is raising starting from not limited to Patient medical records, drug development and supply chain, claims and billing, and medical research are just some of the areas it could impact by potentially cutting out middlemen — companies — and allowing secure access to the most recent data in real time. The blockchain is a distributed system that log transaction records on linked blocks and store them on an encrypted digital ledger. There is no one central administrator.

Blockchain will not help in improving dentists’ clinical skills but, using blockchain technology will enhance customer services experience.

By comparing a typical dental practice with a practice implementing or relaying on Blockchain & AI technology, the overall comparison results will be remarkable:

Another area that blockchain can enhance dental practice management efficiency is patient claim management 

Although, for every person without medical insurance, there are approximately 2.8 people without dental insurance. Data show that persons with private medical coverage, controlling for dental coverage and other socioeconomic and demographic factors, are more likely to have a dental visit than persons without private medical coverage. Having medical insurance with or without coverage for dental care is associated with an increased likelihood of having a dental visit. These data suggest a more complex role for dental insurance beyond that of traditional insurance motivation.

Blockchain technology is the only way to integrate a currency system at lowest costs and highest possible security standards. Using the blockchain technology made us independent from banks. Therefore, we do not only cut expenses, but also speed up all our transactions including claim payment process. Adding to that blockchain technology can help dental care providers to design better patients experience by providing valuable patient insights via method of loyalties using smart contracts.

Smart contracts — based on blockchain — are identified in dentistry. There is no need to create a human equivalent artificial intelligence to build a dental smart contract. In the Dental Eco-system smart contract will be impacting on positive, fast transaction and real data transfer as rules, exclusions, inclusions and limitation are pre-set between patients, providers and insurance companies.

About Dr.Hisham Safadi - The Author

A UAE Based Entrepreneur and Dentist. Founder of UDENZ Dental Application. Listed Promising Startup in UAE and Arab World to watch by Forbes Middle East 2017/18. Holding MSc from UK. Member of Young Arab Leaders and Heading several entrepreneurial initiatives in Insure-tech, Health tech and Fin-tech.

References 

· Coleman, J. (2018). Never lose a customer again. New York: Portfolio.

· Gerard, D. (2017). Attack of the 50 Foot Blockchain. createspace Independent Publishing Platform.

· Patients, 2. (2018). What it Costs a Dentist to File Insurance Claims for Patients 

· Kreiovich, V., Songsak Sriboonchitta, & Chakpitak, N. (2017). Predictive econometrics and big data.

· “Big Data in Your Face — How Data Science is Improving Dentistry”, 2018

· Community Dent Health. 2007 Dec;24(4):205–12.

· Bitton, A. (2011–05–01) Improving the Quality of Referrals Through Health IT: JCOM: Journal of Clinical Outcomes Management, 18(5), 203, and Merritt Hawkins & Associates, 2009 Survey of Physician Appointment Wait Times

· Cain Watters & Associates, 201

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