Is your dentist like the car dealer? Interesting enail I received...

[napi21]

Had a really interesting conversation with a friend of mine.
She had gone to a new dentist the day before and related her
experiences to me. Turns out that there are a number of things
that she could (should?) have done. She expected that. When
she got there, she found that like most dentist's offices,
this one works with more than one hygienist. My friend was
surprised with how many hygienists that were working for one
dentist. The patient first sees the hygienist. They'll clean
your teeth and perform an examination of your choppers. Then a
trip back out to the waiting room.

Next a call back into another private room and a quick visit
from the dentist. The dentist will proceed to tell you if
anything needs urgent attention. Nothing unusual there. Maybe
an extra trip to the waiting room, but nothing too
significant. Your dentist probably works mostly the same way.
But, here's where it started getting interesting.

The dentist suggested a couple of things that my friend might
want to do. Then he left the room. Next the hygienist reviewed
the options for each procedure with my friend. From the most
expensive solution, down through the other choices until they
got to the basic no-frills solution. Complete with visual aids
in some cases! What was once a doctor-patient relationship has
evolved (or devolved) into just another sales transaction.

As my friend was describing it to me, we realized that the
process was very much like going into a car dealership. First,
the salesperson examines your needs. Then they present the
different options (hoping that you'll want all the gee whiz
features of the more expensive model). Next is a visit to the
sales cubicles. Finally, they bring in a closer to seal the
deal.

We couldn't help but laugh over the situation. Think about it.
Most people dislike shopping for cars. All the high pressure
tactics. And, many people that I know have a fear of the
dentist. Something about drilling out parts of your body while
you're still alive! Now my friend's dentist has managed to
combine the two! What a daily double!

Does this dentist even know that's how his practice appears to
the patient? Was it a step-by-step evolution? Where every step
included just a little more sales effort and pressure? Or did
he attend a conference and some expert told him how he could
turn his practice from sleepy to super successful? In either
case, I bet he doesn't know how his patients experience a
visit to his office.

Now don't get me wrong. I'm under no illusions that he's
probably making more money than...well...a less aggressive
dentist. There's a reason that most car dealers are known for
being relentless in attempting to close a sale. The reason is
that it helps them make more money.

But, you have to wonder if it's worth the price. One poll
<http://www.strangecosmos.com/content/item/3760.html> that I
found showed that 56% of respondents thought that dentists
displayed honest and ethical standards. Car salesmen ranked in
last place at 8%! That poll was from 2001 (before some of the
newer dental practice techniques became common). I can't help
but wonder what a similar poll will look like in a few years.

how mny businesses are acting like this lately?

[Rabrrrrrr]

1. In defense of dentists, people are asking for an awful lot of things nowadays.

Not like the old days where it just checkups, cleanings, fillings, root canals, and tooth pullings.

Now it's also whitening - and MANY different kinds; cosmetic dentistry, from replacing old silver fillings with white ones that match the color of the tooth to implants; and a great many other things.

I imagine this dentist probably finds it a lot easier to actually let people know the incredible variety of offerings nowadays instead of fielding a bunch of questions at random times in random ways, OR taking the risk that a patient won't know that something is available that they very well might benefit from.

Comparing to a car salesman is, IMO, entirely inappropriate.

[jody]

2. You might wish to browse material at the American Dental Association, link below, or your own state

association.

http://www.ada.org/

[DesertFlower]

3. nothing like that with my dentist.

he has 2 hygienists. one works monday and tuesday, the other wednesday and thursday. he has 2 assistants, a receptionist and a bookkeeper. they've all worked for him a long time.

the bookkeeper goes over prices with you and can even give you a discount. she can also do the receptionist or dental assistant job if needed.

actually his staff runs the office. all he has to do is come to work and take care of the patients.

it's a very pleasant atmosphere. BTW. the staff and patients all call him by his first name.

i've been his patient since 1994.

on edit: he does have another woman who does "whitening".

[postulater]

4. I prefer being given the choice and the fees in advance

so I can know what to expect rather than be surprised with a bill in the mail some time later.

Sounds like this dentist empowers the person rather than dictates care like the old fashioned "I'm the doctor, you're not" relationship.

[AlCzervik]

5. that's nothing like the dentist i see, nothing at all.

[Diane R]

6. My kid just finished dental school $250K in debt. He's a little different than a car salesman.

[KoKo]

11. He's going to have to make that money up somehow....and with flouride in toothpaste

the money is either made in dentures or in "tooth whitening" and other "enhancements" that will make him some money. Not saying your son will go that route ...but I've had enough time with dentists in many states through the years to watch how the practice has changed...and the differences.

Good luck to your son. We need lots more really good, sincere ones who aren't pushing whitening and implants on everyone...when it could be "questionable the patient needs it."

[napi21]

7. I'm glad to see that nobody has had the experience described in that email.

I have no idea how many professionals hae subscribed to these tactics, but unfortunately I think there are some. I hope they stay in the minority!

[mitchum]

8. My dentist has Penthouse in his waiting room

[KoKo]

10. Babes and a Tropical Fish Tank too? I went to one like that....I took one look and left.

:D

[KoKo]

9. HA! As Dentally Challenged I found this really hit's the mark....

I think it's the "wave of the future" for them. Fortunately there are still a few good ones left in their 40's or 50's who aren't "into the new practice model" ...but I see it coming it advertisements in my paper (Doctors with a staff of 5 or more Cutie BABES in their ads promising all kinds of goodies for your "appearance"...and experience of friends of mine lead me to believe you gotta be firm with these dentists about why you are there and be sure to ask for your x-rays when you leave, in case you didn't like the Dentist and want to move on. Asking for the x-rays as you pay your bill will give better results than trying to retrieve them later. And, it might save you some extra radiation as you shop around..although they all tell folks that they use "digital" and it's so much less exposure than in the past...don't believe them! Especially if you are older, are dentally compromised and have had many, may x-rays from years past. The stuff does build up.