title: Technology innovation.
abstract: Technology is the way dentistry is practiced--the materials and methods, characteristics of the dentist and staff, and nature and values of patients. Innovation is a conscious process of improving that technology. Dentists, not researchers or manufacturers, are the source of most innovation in dentistry. Characteristics such a innate curiosity, sophistication, discretionary income, and practice isolation contribute to innovativeness. Innovation diffusion has a characteristic S-shape, with few early and late adopters and a rapid spread in the middle phase. Much is known regarding the personality and behavior of early and late adopters and those types of innovations that are likely to diffusion rapidly.
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Chambers
mesh_terms: D003815:Dentists / Q000523:psychology; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D006801:Humans; D008389:Marketing of Health Services; D018581:Technology Transfer; D013674:Technology, Dental / Q000191:economics