Digital transformation in dentistry: Patterns of use among clinicians in Germany and Switzerland

IF 5.5 2区医学 Q1 DENTISTRY, ORAL SURGERY & MEDICINE

Journal of dentistry Pub Date : 2025-09-10 DOI:10.1016/j.jdent.2025.106099

Florian Kernen , Jan-Philipp Meurer , Juliane Orth , Katja Nelson , Kirstin Vach , Nicola Ursula Zitzmann , Benedikt Christopher Spies , Aiste Kernen-Gintaute

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objectives

This study aimed to assess the adoption of digital workflows among dental practitioners in Germany and Switzerland, considering demographic factors such as practice type or location, specialist area, and age.

Methods

A cross-sectional online survey with 34 questions was conducted between May 2022 and March 2024 to investigate the extent of digital technology adoption among dental practitioners. A total of 1290 completed questionnaires were analyzed. Data were analyzed descriptively and with logistic regression (including Scheffé’s correction) using STATA 17.0 (α = 0.05).

Results

Results showed that 22 % of surgical, 44 % of general, and 45 % of orthodontic practitioners had implemented digital workflows. Adoption rates were higher in larger cities and group practices. Younger dentists (digital natives) exhibited a greater tendency to use digital technologies than older practitioners. Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) systems were widely utilized in-house (55 % among digitized general dentists and 38 % among orthodontists), while use of face scanners was less common (3–9 %).

Conclusions

The findings indicate that digitalization is more prevalent in larger, urban, and group practices, likely due to infrastructure, financial resources, and patient demand. The study highlights an increasing trend toward digital integration in Germany and Switzerland.

Clinical significance

Understanding trends in digital integration is important for optimizing digital education and supporting the adoption of digital workflows in dentistry.

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牙科数字化转型：德国和瑞士临床医生的使用模式。

目的：本研究旨在评估德国和瑞士牙科从业者对数字工作流程的采用情况，考虑到人口统计学因素，如执业类型或地点、专业领域和年龄。方法：在2022年5月至2024年3月期间进行了一项包含34个问题的横断面在线调查，以调查牙科从业者对数字技术的采用程度。共分析了1290份已完成的问卷。采用STATA 17.0 （α = 0.05）对数据进行描述性分析和逻辑回归（包括scheff校正）。结果：结果显示22%的外科医生、44%的普通医生和45%的正畸医生实施了数字化工作流程。在大城市和团体实践中，采用率更高。年轻的牙医（数字原住民）比年长的从业者更倾向于使用数字技术。计算机辅助制造（CAM）系统在内部广泛使用（在数字化普通牙医中占55%，在正畸牙医中占38%），而面部扫描仪的使用较不常见（3-9%）。结论：研究结果表明，数字化在大型、城市和团体实践中更为普遍，可能是由于基础设施、财政资源和患者需求。该研究强调，德国和瑞士的数字一体化趋势日益明显。临床意义：了解数字集成的趋势对于优化数字教育和支持牙科采用数字工作流程非常重要。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of dentistry 医学-牙科与口腔外科

CiteScore

7.30

自引率

11.40%

发文量

349

审稿时长

35 days

期刊介绍： The Journal of Dentistry has an open access mirror journal The Journal of Dentistry: X, sharing the same aims and scope, editorial team, submission system and rigorous peer review. The Journal of Dentistry is the leading international dental journal within the field of Restorative Dentistry. Placing an emphasis on publishing novel and high-quality research papers, the Journal aims to influence the practice of dentistry at clinician, research, industry and policy-maker level on an international basis. Topics covered include the management of dental disease, periodontology, endodontology, operative dentistry, fixed and removable prosthodontics, dental biomaterials science, long-term clinical trials including epidemiology and oral health, technology transfer of new scientific instrumentation or procedures, as well as clinically relevant oral biology and translational research. The Journal of Dentistry will publish original scientific research papers including short communications. It is also interested in publishing review articles and leaders in themed areas which will be linked to new scientific research. Conference proceedings are also welcome and expressions of interest should be communicated to the Editor.