I’m sure you have heard that dentists are always at the top of the list for suicide, divorce, and substance abuse. I did a little research just to verify that is actually accurate…..and yup, it is. I could go into why I think that is the case, but I’ll let you ponder that one on your own.
Despite the many challenges of this profession, if I could do it all over again, I would still choose to be a dentist. I didn’t decide to go to dental school until late in my senior year of college. People ask me all the time, “What in the world made you decide to look inside of mouths… (Read More)
Wanna Be a Dentist?
February 15, 2012
Dental Insurance Benefits Expiring
December 1, 2011
I don’t know how you feel but I think this year is just flying by. I guess I feel like that every year. Only one more month left in 2011. For those of you with dental insurance, only one more month to use your dental benefits before they disappear and go toward the bonuses for the insurance executives. That is kind of a joke and it is kind of not.
As you know, if you have dental insurance, you have a yearly maximum amount of money that can be used for dental care. Although that yearly maximum (typically $1000-1500 per year) has not changed for 40 years in most situations, if you don’t use… (Read More)
The Transitioning Practice – Part 2
October 3, 2011
Last week I began talking about what to do if your long-time dentist is replaced by someone new. Having taken over the practices of two retiring dentists, I consider myself pretty experienced at this type of situation. Let me see if I can break this issue apart.
For those long-time patients, change is not easy. My theme of last week’s column was that you owe it to your retiring dentist and the staff to give the new dentist a try. From there you can make the decision on whether you are comfortable or not.
In my last practice transition I was taking over an office that was stuck in the 1970’s in both style and… (Read More)
The Transitioning Practice – Part 1
September 27, 2011
It has happened. The worst possible thing in the world you could ever imagine has happened to you. The dentist you have been seeing for the last 20 years has retired. What are you going to do?
Many people, including myself, get attached to their healthcare providers. When you build a relationship with your healthcare provider and the office staff, there is a level of comfort in knowing that when needed, there is a person/office you trust to take care of you. When that provider retires there is a sense of abandonment, obviously not intentional, and that feeling of – What do I do now?
In many cases, the staff members remain, which… (Read More)
Politicians and Light Bulbs
August 11, 2011
I know what you’re thinking; politicians and light bulbs? That’s an oxymoron. I thought the same thing when I heard this one. It’s back in the news because the date the incandescent light bulb goes out is rapidly approaching.
Congress passed an energy bill which controls the type of light bulbs all Americans must use by the year 2014. It bans the use of the incandescent light bulb and requires the use of those squiggly fluorescent bulbs. I know what you’re thinking again; that’s not so bad….they’re energy saving and that’s good, right?
In addressing the House of Representatives, Rep. Ted Poe of Texas noted that there was nothing in the Constitution that… (Read More)
There Are No Two Dental Practices Alike
February 24, 2011
No two dental practices are alike! Each takes on the characteristics of the practitioner who owns it. The personality of the owner is probably the key to how that office “feels” when you walk in the door. Some practices may feel “clinical and efficient”, while others feel somewhat more home spun and laid back. The dentist’s personality is reflected in his or her treatment preferences as well. The fact that different dentists will suggest different plans to treat your condition does not necessarily mean that one plan is better than another.
In my experience, all dentists will suggest what they feel to be the very best plan for any given patient. The differences between… (Read More)