Joe Blaes, DDS, Editor
e-mail: [email protected]
Every state board should require that a dentist be a patient in order to get an annual renewal of his or her license. Sitting as a patient would allow us to experience first hand what happens in a dental office. Experience the experience. Is this how you would like to be treated? And, while we are at it, let`s get the staff in the chair too. Is your office all it can be? What is the word out on the street about your office? This is an excellent way for you and your staff to see your office in a completely different way.
Taking our turn in the dental chair allows us to see dental treatment from our patients` perspectives. We see what they see, feel what they feel, taste what they taste (when was the last time you tasted the acid etch we use for bonding?) and hear what they hear.
When was the last time you had a local anesthetic and experienced the "numb feeling" that our patients have every day.
I took my turn in the chair during the New York Dental Meeting in December. Now what you don`t know about me is that, as a patient, I fear dentists and I hate needles. Maybe it is because I know too much - I really don`t know. I arrived at Dr. Larry Rosenthal`s office early in the morning with my sweaty palms and all my fears.
I had the entire new patient experience, and I must tell you that Dr. Rosenthal practices what he preaches. He does it all in a very small, extremely well-designed and decorated office. The ambience of the office was wonderful. It spoke volumes about what I could expect from the people that worked there. The next time you are tempted to build a big office give Larry a call.
Dr. Larry prepped and seated 10 porcelain veneers. I must tell you that his technique was great. I did not feel a thing. I developed such a trust in him that I was able to do the seating appointment without anesthetic. My teeth and mouth feel great and I love my new smile. Thanks, Larry! And thanks to Jackie and all the wonderful staff!
Schedule a time to take your turn in the chair. How can you recommend quality dentistry if your mouth or the mouths of your staff members are not in the best of health? Do a complete exam on everyone that works in your office, including the dentist. Then treatment plan everyone and schedule the dentistry. Now your team will be able to tell your patients how great you are and show them the dentistry you have done for them.
Get on the Internet and check out our newly designed website. Visit www.dentaleconomics.com to receive the complete Dental Economics experience. Here you will find many bonus articles that do not appear in the print magazine.
Time is running out to sign up for the Dental Economics Seminar Series. The first seminar is in Albuquerque, N.M. It will highlight many ways to increase your production per hour and make your practice more profitable. Call now! We will be in Peoria in April and Cincinnati in May.
