Dentists` investments in computers, video-imaging systems and related peripherals reached a record high of $274 million in 1995, according to a joint study by Dewar Sloan, a dental-industry research and consulting firm, and PennWell Publishing Company, publisher of Dental Economics, RDH, Dental Equipment and Supplies and Proofs.
One-third of solo practitioners and 44 percent of group practices own at least one intraoral camera. While 78 percent of dentists report they use a computer in their practices (Dental Economics 1996 Practice Survey), the Dewar Sloan study shows that only 13 percent of solo dentists and 19 percent of group practices have computers in their operatories.
A trend toward the virtual-group practice was noted in the survey. Nearly 15 percent of survey respondents who defined themselves as solo general practitioners said that they share facilities and/or equipment with at least one other practice.
