As scientific research continues to reinforce the importance of preventative health, it’s unsurprising that elective diagnostic scanning has gained in popularity. A growing number of people are seeking diagnostic scans the same way one would submit to a yearly physical, oral exam, or vehicle inspection; periodically kicking the tires to see what shakes loose.
The trend is neatly illustrated by the proliferation of wearable biometric health-tracking devices, the rise of DTC (direct-to-consumer) testing, and in popular culture with celebrities like Maria Menounos and Kim Kardashian publicly sharing their experiences.
As science underscores the connection between oral and overall health, it’s fair to say that along with neurological, arterial, and fitness scans, any comprehensive diagnostic snapshot of patient well-being should necessarily include an oral examination like the Diagnostic Scans (also known as wellness scans) offered by Dandy.
Below, you’ll find a brief overview of some different arenas in which such scans are being performed, who they serve, and why they all seem to fit a growing trend of quantified health and wellness.
What are Diagnostic Scans?
“Diagnostic Scan” refers to voluntary medical imaging performed with the intent of surveying patients’ well-being. As opposed to ordered scans in which practitioners seek an underlying cause of discomfort/presenting symptoms, Diagnostic Scans are a facet of preventative medicine i.e. a prophylactic measure taken absent of symptom or pathology.
All Diagnostic Scans utilize medical imaging, but the inverse is not true. X-ray, for example, uses electromagnetic radiation to pass light through soft tissue, taking what is, essentially, a black-and-white photograph of the skeletal structure within a specific area. While this kind of imaging can provide valuable insight, X-rays’ limitations make them less suited to Diagnostic Scanning than other imaging methods.
Diagnostic full-body MRI scans
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is a scan that uses strong magnetic fields, radio waves, and magnetic field gradients to image a patient’s entire body, including skeletal structure, joints and connective tissue, internal organs; the vascular, cardiac, neurological, and spinal systems.
Primarily located in hospitals, MRIs have traditionally been prescribed to interrogate abnormalities such as injuries, tumors, aneurysms, hemorrhages, and degenerative diseases.
The detailed nature of MRIs makes them a more popular choice for Diagnostic Scans in the DTC (direct-to-consumer screening i.e. retail health screening performed without prescription from a doctor or healthcare professional) market.
Some experts assert that as a screening tool for healthy individuals, MRI imaging’s potential to produce false-positives and inconclusive results may ultimately do more harm to than good. However at least one study of DTC MRIs found the frequency of psychological harm to be low.
Diagnostic brain scans
Within the mammalian brain, certain psychological and/or emotional states have been correlated with particular structures, chemicals, and connections. This means that, using medical scans, certain mental disorders can actually be observed.
“Functional imagining” refers to medical scans that show change over time, e.g. video rather than a single image. PET (positron emission tomography), fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging), and CT (computed tomography) are all examples of functional imaging. Using these, it is possible to observe the behavior of certain neurotransmitters, electrical activity, and/or blood flow in response to various stimuli, giving doctors valuable insight.
Considering the proven link between genetics and mental health disorders (i.e. dementia, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia) it should come as no surprise that DTC brain scans are seen by some as a proactive step toward mental healthcare, theoretically identifying potential problems before symptoms ever arise.
Diagnostic carotid artery scan
Whether caused by a buildup of plaque or a blood clot, the result of a blockage in the carotid artery is likely a massive stroke.
Noninvasive ultrasound scans (a.k.a sonograms) can quickly and effectively reveal blockage and/or potentially troublesome buildup. Ultrasound scanning interpolates sound waves to form a picture of soft tissue inside the body.
For certain at-risk patients, a simple DTC ultrasound of the carotid artery can lead to fast, life-saving interventions.
Fitness scan
As previously mentioned, the rise of brands, styles, and varied functionality in the wearable biometric device space (i.e. Fitbit, Apple Watch, and Oura) demonstrates a growing demand for fitness tracking.
More granular than any single health metric, DEXA scans (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) can show where on the body one carries mass; the composition and density of soft tissue, fat distribution, and bone mineral density.
DEXA scans take just about 15 minutes and cost about $100 per, so that makes them attractive to anyone for whom fitness is a top priority. If one has the means and the motivation to target specific fitness goals, a fitness scan can be highly informative.
Diagnostic Scans in dentistry
Most people are familiar with the standard dental exam; the poking and mirrors and sore jaws. But Diagnostic Scans like those made possible with Dandy are revolutionizing the way dental professionals and their patients assess oral health.
A dental Diagnostic Scan begins with a digital impression using an IOS (intraoral scanner). Using harmless light pulses, the IOS takes comprehensive measurements of a patient’s entire oral cavity including teeth, occlusal surfaces, and gums. This data is automatically fed directly to a nearby monitor where Dandy’s incredible Chairside software stitches it into a precise, fully manipulable 3D model of the patient’s entire mouth. Using this digital model dentists and patients can plan treatment, track progress, visualize treatment outcomes, and more.
The process is so quick and comprehensive, that many dentists find that a partnership with Dandy streamlines everyday workflows.
Diagnostic Scans can be offered at every visit because they:
A. Are a no-cost practice
B. Facilitate co-discovery between dentist and patient, increasing patient satisfaction and case acceptance
and C. Generate ‘wow!’ factor and set a practice apart from the competition
Conclusion
Patients care more about health and wellness than ever before. Wide adoption of premium health and fitness consumer products like Peleton, Apple Fitness+, and wearables proves that patients’ appetites for health metrics are insatiable. However the rising popularity of DTC health scans like genetic testing and diagnostic MRIs suggests a willingness to plunk down top dollar out of pocket.
Dandy is the industry leader when it comes to dental technology, and Diagnostic Scans are no exception. Using an intraoral scanner and Dandy’s Chairside software, Diagnostic Scans are not only free but comprehensive, can lead to greater case acceptance, and improve patient satisfaction across the board.
But the benefits of partnership with Dandy don’t end with advanced scanning; not only does Dandy offer a free intraoral scanner and software training, switching to a digital workflow means revolutionizing your business with a 5-day turnaround for zirconia crowns, 2-Appointment Dentures, and real-time clinical support when you need it. That’s the Dandy difference.
Curious about what else Dandy can do for your practice? Start here.
