Another first for dentistry! At this year`s Indianapolis 500, the first dentist qualified for the race. Dr. Jack Miller qualified in his Dallara-Infiniti car in row six at a speed of 209 miles per hour. The results of the race are history now, but at press time Dr. Jack was very upbeat about his chances. Congratulations to Dr. Miller. The car is sponsored by Crest, and we have a feature story about the fine work that Crest and Dr. Miller do in promoting dentistry.
I attended a Summit meeting on dental reimbursement and managed care in Chicago last month. The invited guests included leaders from dentistry, as well as leaders from the dental industry. The group was brought together to examine the changing reimbursement and managed-care issues. This is the only group that I know of that is working to find some solutions for the dentist. The issue here is the reduced fees that dentists are being asked to charge. Dental managed care seems to have stabilized right now at about 11 to 12 percent, but keep up your efforts, this is not a time to let down. I will keep you posted on further developments.
We have some great articles for you this month, starting off with a Viewpoint by Joanne I. Sheehan, a hygienist from Woodbridge, Virginia. She hit a chord with me that I would all too often forget about and that is empathy for our patients. I often have said in my seminars that dentists should be required to have a crown prep done to them annually to keep them humble and so they know what the patient is feeling. Thanks, Joanne, for reminding me.
The focus for this month is marketing and how it can affect your practice. There are four thought-provoking articles for you. You may not agree with all the writers, but they will make you think. Dr. Howard Farran tells you what he has done to grow his practice to its present level. Michael Apstein presents the pros and cons of another type of external marketing that I find fascinating. Dr. Roger Levin shows you what the dental office of the future will do to thrive into the 21st century. And finally, the world`s fastest dentist (in a race car) tells how he has used children`s interest in racing cars to get them interested in his story of dental care.
Dr. Robert Ibsen, one of the pioneers in the field of adhesive and esthetic dentistry, presents his views on bleaching in the dental office. Joan Eleazer returns with another great article on teamwork in the dental office. "Together Everyone Achieves More" always has worked for me and Joan gives you some great tips on how to get it started. Follow her action plan to a better office.
Dr. Richard A. Simms writes an interesting article on a different way to view the current managed-care controversy. As I promised you last month, Sally McKenzie joins the Dental Economics family as a regular columnist. Her "Management Rx" column will present actual case studies of offices that she has consulted with. I know that you will look forward to reading her column each month. Sally brings 17 years of dental-consulting experience with her. You can trust that she will tell it like it is. Welcome aboard, Sally!
I promised you changes in the magazine and one appears this month - a new typeface that we hope you will enjoy. We feel it makes the magazine more readable. Keep those calls, letters and e-mails coming! See you next month.
Joe Blaes, DDS, Editor
