Carestream Dental launched Digital Dentistry campaign during Chicago Midwinter

Carestream Dental introduced its Digital Dentistry Difference public education campaign during the Chicago Midwinter Meeting. Through this campaign, the company will directly educate consumers about the benefits of digital dentistry. The aim of this is to arm doctors with resources to prompt conversation with their patients solving a significant awareness gap that research suggests is harming patient perception of doctors and the oral healthcare industry overall, according to a press release from Carestream.

Carestream commissioned a Global Digital Dentistry survey in November 2019 to measure public attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors related to dental technology. This survey found that patients across the globe believe that the oral healthcare industry lags behind both optical and orthopedic technologies used. Moreso, less than half of the patients surveyed believe their dentist uses very advanced technology, according to the press release. 

“It is a missed opportunity when you consider that doctors are investing in digital dentistry to improve patient care, yet many patients do not understand the level of advanced digital technology the industry offers, or how it can change their lives,” said Dr. Ed Shellard, chief dental officer, Carestream Dental. “The Digital Dentistry Difference campaign will change that by speaking directly to consumers about why they should be asking about the technology used by their doctor, and at the same time, arming doctors with the tools they need to easily educate. We’re proud to be leading the charge with this campaign and look forward to the industry working together to create more smiles all around.”

As part of the Digital Dentistry Difference campaign, Carestream Dental will be working to reach out to patients directly through a large-scale public relations initiative. The goal is to connect digital dentistry experts with national and regional news media to share information on how technology makes a difference. Carestream also plans to create a conversation around digital dentistry leading up to Oral Health Month in June. 

Not only will public education about digital dentistry increase patient awareness, but it is also said to benefit doctors, according to Carestream’s survey results. The survey found that education is likely to help increase patient retention, bring in new patients, and enhance patient perception of care. 

“We’re already walking the walk with our product offerings, and now it’s time to talk the talk in the way we communicate about them,” said Greg Marko, chief marketing officer, Carestream Dental. “This brand refresh fully embraces the spirit of Carestream Dental-who we are today and where we, and the industry as a whole, are headed. Digital is at the heart of everything we do, and our refreshed brand now reinforces that even more clearly.” 

The Digital Dentistry Difference: Global Consumer Survey results can be found at digitaldentistrydifference.org, along with a complementary suite of resources doctors can download for their own patient education efforts. For more information on Carestream and its products, visit carestreamdental.com.