Interview in Dentista Moderno with Clara Esteban and Esther Charro, medical directors of DONTE GROUP and MAEX

  • The report on challenges in oral health in Spain, criteria for selecting collaborating doctors, and the constant innovation in the sector were some of the topics discussed.

  • Dr. Esther Charro provided some insights into the MAEX project, our brand of mastery and excellence.

Madrid, 16th May 2023.-

“In an effort to contribute to the improvement of dentistry and make oral health accessible to everyone, based on technical excellence and cutting-edge innovation to ensure maximum quality in patient care, MAEX works to be the ultimate reference in the sector,” stated Dr. Esther Charro, medical director of MAEX, in an interview with Dentista Moderno. She was joined by Dr. Clara Esteban, medical director of DONTE GROUP, as they discussed our clinics and the concept behind the project, which aims to elevate good practices, knowledge, and the quality of care we provide through collaboration with our doctors.

Dr. Clara Esteban shed light on the report “Challenges in Oral Health in Spain,” which DONTE GROUP developed months ago in conjunction with the University of Murcia. “The report highlights four main challenges in the oral health sector in Spain: demonstrating the impact of oral health on quality of life and raising awareness among the public about the consequences of poor oral health due to the significant impact that oral disorders have on our overall health; expanding the coverage of oral health services to mitigate inequalities in access and coverage for the population, especially disadvantaged groups and patients with special needs, something that can be achieved by working with existing capacity through efficient public-private collaboration, which would provide greater coverage to the population; embracing innovation to advance the technological transformation of the sector, highlighting advancements in diagnosis and therapy and enabling greater effectiveness and safety in new dental treatments compared to existing therapeutic alternatives; and finally, strengthening patient trust in professionals by promoting patient satisfaction with previous care received, the overall experience, and the technical expertise of the professional.”

Following the same line, Dr. Clara Esteban responded regarding the objectives we have set for all the clinics that make up DONTE GROUP: “DONTE GROUP was born with the firm and genuine purpose of contributing to improving dentistry, making oral health accessible to everyone, and becoming the dental reference firm in Spain and Europe. With an extensive network of centers and dental clinics that make up the company, we adapt to the needs of each person at every stage of their life.”

In order to achieve these objectives, ¿What criteria do we take into account when selecting our doctors? Our medical director explained it: “All our collaborating doctors have specific academic training in the area of dentistry in which they are experts, along with more than 5 years of experience in the field. Additionally, they have access to an extensive annual continuing education program and guidelines for good clinical practices and quality protocols that adapt to their dental criteria to guarantee the highest quality of our services to the patients. We also encourage our doctors to belong to a scientific society in their area of expertise. DONTE GROUP also has a medical directorate composed of more than 10 healthcare professionals, including dentists and doctors, who provide daily support to our network.”

After discussing these topics related to DONTE GROUP, it was time to address our brand of mastery and excellence, MAEX: “It is the brand that represents the highest quality and innovation in the sector, presenting itself as a new concept of dental medical quality that cares about every detail of the process, generating an experience where innovation is a fundamental part, alongside the expertise of the doctor. MAEX arises from the association of a select group of doctors from all areas of specialization and geographical scope.

As in any medical discipline, there are not hundreds of experts in a single specialty, and MAEX provides service to complex cases that require the skill and experience of the best doctor in each specialized field, in addition to specific technological innovation. They all have excellent recognition in their careers and extensive experience in their respective areas of specialization, backed by DONTE GROUP.”

Dr. Esther Charro, medical director for MAEX, explained the dental medical concept that her brand represents: “MAEX is formed by a group of dentists and maxillofacial surgeons with a long and reputable trajectory in the oral health sector, unique knowledge, and a great passion for the practice of dentistry, working to become the maximum reference in the industry. With them, we create the state of the art in the discipline; based on technical excellence, they put themselves at the forefront of innovation, ensuring maximum quality in care.” Dr. Charro also outlined her objectives as the head of the medical department: “As the medical director of MAEX, I actively participate in the selection of both clinics and doctors that join the brand. Additionally, I ensure loyalty and alignment with the project’s philosophy, so that each clinic and doctor maintain their own identity according to their interests and expectations, but under a common strategic umbrella and in line with the brand’s values. We have the responsibility to ensure that the practices of all our MAEX centres adhere to the quality standards of DONTE GROUP. To achieve this, the Medical Directorate guarantees that the most demanding care protocols and work procedures are applied in all our clinics. This way, we ensure that our healthcare provision is always efficient and excellent, and focused on our patients.”

The doctors of our company also addressed one of the themes that characterize us: innovation. “Thanks to digitalization, we can make much more precise diagnoses. We can provide better information to the patients, fostering a closer doctor-patient relationship. We shorten the process times and patient visits to the clinic. We work in preventive dentistry, and above all, we carry out much more effective and predictable treatments. In short, it helps us simplify patients’ lives, promoting greater accessibility to oral health and ensuring the success of the treatment.” In addition to advanced technology focused on quality care at DONTE GROUP, we also advocate for the implementation of digitalization. Dr. Esther Charro highlighted this, representing our brand MAEX: “At MAEX, we are continuously implementing the most innovative techniques in the dental field. We analyse and evaluate new systems to increase efficiency in the clinic, explore new materials, test the latest medical devices, and improve interdisciplinary workflows. Pilot programs in different clinics serve as our testing tool for all these advancements. With finite time, clear and measurable qualitative and quantitative objectives, we launch pioneering initiatives with the aim of analyzing, developing, and implementing them in all our clinics. In recent months, MAEX Dr. Juan Carlos Pérez Varela clinic has embraced artificial intelligence for orthodontic treatments through the ScanBox Pro system, created by DentalMonitoring. This system allows for virtual monitoring of treatments and the detection of up to 130 incidents. Its clinical accuracy, patient comfort, and the possibility of generating faster and more precise digital workflows make it a differentiating tool in the industry. A study involving 500 patients is currently underway, and we expect to have conclusive results after the summer.”

For the proper application of these services, which are subject to continuous evolution and innovation, Dr. Charro emphasized the importance of ongoing education: “A key component is our Medical Advisory Committee, a consultative space where the state of the sector is regularly discussed, new developments are evaluated, and strategic recommendations are aligned to ensure that the MAEX brand is always at the forefront of knowledge. Our innovation applies to many areas: materials, techniques… where digitalization and emerging technologies are particularly important.

We are active in publications and training, and we also participate in the main sector meetings, with the aim of making MAEX a melting pot of knowledge that brings together sector leaders, colleagues from the DONTE group, and other dental professionals and maxillofacial surgeons. We commit to sharing our scientific production and clinical trials and to developing and designing training plans in innovative techniques for all our doctors.”

In conclusion, reference was made to what the incorporation of renowned doctors’ clinics, such as Drs Pérez Varela, Cuevas Queipo, and Pepe Ferreras, means for MAEX: “Our purpose is to create a space where collaboration among our doctors is the key. In this way, we want to elevate the best practices, knowledge, and quality of care we provide. When considering the incorporation of new doctors, the Medical Management team considers several aspects: their quality of care, academic background, degree of innovation, and above all, their passion. We are prospecting professionals who have extensive experience, a minimum of 15 years – and up to 40 in some cases – and who are recognized for their excellent performance within our industry. Through doctors who are leaders in dentistry, we want MAEX to become the forefront of dental and maxillofacial innovation in our country.”

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