Question:
When 1-800-DENTIST says they will referr you to the "right
dentist" what they actually mean, and what I hope all these people know, is
that the "right dentist" is any dentist willing to pay the monthly fee to be on
their list. My father always told us"price is soon forgotten, quality long
remembered".
Answer:
Plumbers do too. They either repair toilets or
they "contract" out plumbing jobs. Years ago
I needed a plumbing contractor for an
extensive job. It was a 6-story rehab. I
called several guys, including one guy with a
large yellow page ad and another guy who was
my local neighborhood plumber.
Now the neighborhood guy had done several
plumbing jobs for me in the past including the
replacement of some sinks and toilets. But the
other guy came right over when his sales
office "beeped" him. He pulled up within the
hour in his nice, shiny, red luxury
convertible.
He looked around. He added, he marked. First,
a few words about me. I am the kind of guy who
goes to City Hall to get a copy of the
Plumbing Code to study. This plumbing job was
in a new locality, so I wanted to acquaint
myself about the existing regulations
concerning the use of PVC, copper, vents,
stacks, this and that.
This plumber did not know "bubkis" about the
Plumbing Code although he himself was a Master
Plumber (the guy with the license). I could
tell this because what he was telling me was
not all that correct.
No matter. The municipal plumbing inspectors
would need come around to pass on his work
before we turned the water on. So, his crew
came, they "pounded ochre," they banged, they
clanked and pretty soon everything was okay.
The workers knew plumbing; that's what
counted. I paid a couple of thousand more than
I might have, but I needed the job done soon,
so that was okay. A delay would not be worth
it.
Several months later, I bumped into the local
guy who told me that he was too busy fixing
toilets and sinks to take a break and see what
I wanted. So I made the right choice.
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There is a parallel here, although the results
may differ for you, depending on what you
need. You, the patient call the big
contractor because you saw the ad for 1-800-
DENTIST on TV. You opened the phone book and
saw that half page "We Cater To Cowards" ad so
you went there.
You went to have your old bridge recemented,
but you got a bit more than you expected. Is
there any surprize here?
You, Kimberly St. Andrassy got a new upper
left bridge, 4 composite fillings, 1 crown,
laser whitening and root planing. Kimberly
writes in Dental Practice and Finance;
May/June 1998,
"I called 1-800-DENTIST thinking my bridge
needed re-cementing. They referred me to Dr.
Dalley, who gave me a new bridge and a great
smile. I've referred family, co-workers, even
my fiance. Dr. Dalley's a great dentist."
This is all true. R. Lindsay Dalley, D.D.S.
graduated from the University of the Pacific
Dental School in 1986 and became a member of
1-800-DENTIST in 1992. He claims,
"1-800-DENTIST pays for itself. Not only is
the return on investment great, but they've
shown us how to handle calls and convert
referrals into patients."
Several other full page ads offer patient
financing (17.15% interest). This is modern
dentistry. This may be what you need. Or maybe
you just need some routine care.
You may need extensive work or you may need
several restorations and your teeth cleaned.
If you want the contractor, go there. If you
want the dentist who will be around for your
"routine problems," or for your new bridge,
then better consider your neighborhood
dentist, too.
If you want to be part of "return on
investment" please call Dr. Dalley. If you
don't care how 1-800-DENTIST pays for itself,
then call Dr. Dalley again. If you need to
"be converted" into a patient, again please
call him. I, as a dentist do not need to
"convert" referrals into patients. The
referrals are my patients. My business is
"dental care" and I really don't care about
how you "finance" your needed services.
You, the patient can "file for bankruptcy" to
duck your obligation or kite credit cards as
long as you want to. But the bottom line is
that your care will eventually need to be paid
for. We hope that someone will be there for
you when you need them to be there for you.
If your neighborhood dentist lives in your
neighborhood, goes to your church, your
synagogue or social club, then he/she probably
will be there for you when you need him/her.
30 New England dental offices acquired by
First New England Dental Centers, a Boston,
Massachusetts based management service
organization received a fax. When First New
England filed for bankruptcy in mid-February,
the staff's paychecks were not honored. Many
doctors reached into their own pockets and
paid their employees and also paid some past-
due suppliers' bills.
The company reportedly told member doctors
they could continue to practice, but that it
wanted them to collect the company's remaining
accounts receivable.
You, Kimberly St. Andrassy could have lost
your $2,000. deposit on your new bridge even
before the Doctor's drill first touched down
on your tooth. That's what bankruptcy
proceedings are about. So dear patient, please
ask who owns the practice before you part with
some of your hard earned cash.
Dateline NBC recently interviewed a young
couple with 2 small children. He works days,
and she works nights. They see each other on
weekends. He's a cable lineman ($29,000) and
she fabricates aluminum garage doors
($15,000). They don't have time to "spend
money" carefully. So they're further and
further behind. They probably need the
"neighborhood" dentist, too.
The median family income in the United States
is $33,000. I guess that many of us need the
"neighborhood" dentist.
Dental Economics published Dr. Jay G.
Herrington's "Letter to the Editor" where he
blasts 1-800-DENTIST.
Michael Apstein, Futuredontics CEO responded
to Dr. Herrington. He claims that 1-800-
DENTIST helps the profession with its superb
TV ads. He says that 1-800- DENTIST is a
public service in that it has helped millions
of people to find "the right" dentist. 1-800-
DENTIST raises public awareness. Probably
true. But they also take the "meat and
potatoes" right off the table of the
neighborhood guy who you may need next month.
So take my advice and call 1-800-DENTIST. Tell
them that you have managed care and your
family income is $33,000. See their response.
I have to be up front here, I sell a discount dental plan.
My question is. From my reading, the numbers are approximates, about
60%-80% of Americans don't see the dentist. Mainly because dentists cost
too much and insurance cost too much. Then when they have to go to the
dentist it really costs, because of the patients neglecting it for so
long. It's seems to me that these discount dental plans that cost only
$10-$15/mo. at least get people thinking about going in for regular
cleaning and stuff. I have to be up front here, because I sell a
discount dental plan. But I see a lot of people who can't afford routine
care using my plan to start a dental hygeine program. The biggest kick I
get is seeing the children that would otherwise not get dental care,
getting it. So here is my question. If a dentist has times of empty
chairs, why not fill them with discount people? These people need the
care and the only thing it costs the dentist is the reduced fee. I know
not every dentist has the luxury of no empty chairs. My neighborhood
dentist is on the plan.
