Fee-for-service dentistry

Stephen G. Blank, DDS

Port St. Lucie, Fla.

Very nice article on fee-for-service ("The Survival of Fee-for-Service Dentistry," January 1999). It always is nice to hear a personal story, rather than a lecture from someone who has never been there. I strongly agree with your statement: "It is our obligation to do a complete examination...". If we don`t lead, then we will be following ... the insurance companies.

I, too, gave up insurance ... five years ago, with no withdrawal symptoms!

Perhaps in a future story you might just describe the complete examination. So many dentists think 10 minutes will do, and they can`t figure out why patients leave for HMOs. I think they need good role models to say: "This is what I do, and it works." I completed Mike Schuster`s level-one program, and Mike did that for me. You have good access to many dentists. Keep lighting the fire ... they will get up eventually!

Keep up the great editorial work. Thanks for taking a stand.