Thinking differently is at the crux of remaining competitive. Disruption is the enemy of comfort but the genesis of innovation. Change requires an inherent appetite for risk but it doesn't have to be irrational. It is often an outgrowth of observation – identifying an unmet need and then fulfilling it – "Going where they ain't and doing what they don't."
So while we at Delta Dental cherish our success in advancing the oral health of all Rhode Islanders, there is so much more that needs to be done. Offering affordable dental insurance and philanthropy will always be the core means to achieve our mission, but bold, new approaches are needed as well.
That's why, as part of our non-Delta Dental branded line of business, we will soon be introducing a whole new approach to connecting people who need dental services to the right dentist, at the right price. This new product, called ChewsiTM, isn't dental insurance. It is a smartphone-based app that connects users with dentists who agree to provide significant savings from their typical prices – savings users cannot obtain on their own. And there is no monthly premium or other costs for the user.
Disruption in business is inevitable. You can either wait for it to happen or choose to be the disruptor. We've decided to explore the disruptive path. Will every idea be successful? Certainly not. Still, while the disruptive road is less comfortable, it's also less traveled – and that's where real innovation happens.