Question:
In the past 24 hours I've had the most frustrating time in the world
trying to find a "good" dentist that its unbelievable.
My situation: 1 cracked molar waiting for a crown [or onlay?], 3 other teeth
that need some work (filling replacement, etc...)
My problem: Dentists I have been bumping into all seem to be drill happy
or work in archaic offices with no contact with modern techniques or
equipment (call me crazy, but I get paranoid when a dentist has an x-ray
machine older than me... and Im 28).
I've tried everything in trying to locate a good competant dentist [both
technologically and skill-wise] to no avail.
Answer:
Yellow pages-> after calling up 3 or 4 dozen numbers I gave up.
Denitst-> please advise your receptionists to not "lock-up" when someone
calls and asks for information about you. I consider myself polite with
a very clear understandable phone-voice, so I doubt communication is part
of the issue- and this is an issue of poor preparation on the behalf of
the person answering the phone. Also, terms like "micro dentistry" or
"minimally invasive therapy" should not be alien to the person answering
the phone.
1-800-DENTIST-> useless. It would appear that the average dentist
signing up for this is someone who is desperate for patients.
Web sites -> Frankly, I cant believe why any dentist would think this is
optional nowadays- (BTW, if you're thinking of setting one up email me-
I'm willing to put up some of the money to get a nice site going for each
interested dentist- also, don't bother emailing me if you just want a
"listing", Im thinking resume, pictures, etc...). A few dentists have web
sites but they are far and few.
Dentist professional organizations-> Also useless. A good percentage of
the dentists listed could be retired or be in research.
Recommendations from orthodontist/mf surgoen- these have been mixed.
Generally dentists know the best ortho's and surgeons, but this isnt
necessarily true in the other direction.
Tomorrow, I'm going to talk to my office manager about minimally invasive
dentistry and microdentistry!
I'm sure no one has asked her about it yet, because she would have told me,
but I'm certainly familiar with the concept! Please remember that most of
the people answering the phone are trained to make appointments, manage the
flow of patients and outside intrusions, submit insurance, and pay the
bills. They are usually familiar with the basic language of dentistry, but
these two terms are not yet in the general lexicon of most dentists, let
alone their staffs!
Let the receptionist do what she does best--give you an appointment for a
consultation so you can get technical with the dentist herself. In my
office, we let patients 'kick the tires' for free. Many offices do this.
If they won't, call another. If the dentist looks befuddled by your
questions, move on. It may take a few tries, but you'll find one you
'click' with.
Re: dentists with web sites: we're so busy keeping up with our
profession-specific technology that there's little time to learn the web.
(from one who felt like a beta-tester for IE4.0)
By the way, orthodontists get lots of feedback from their patients as to
their gps' caring manner (or lack of) . Most patients can't tell a good
quality restoration from a bad one.
They only know whether or not their emotional needs have been met, that
they've been made to feel important, and that the dentist truly cares about
their welfare. So I hear all the time about how great ( or not) my referral
sources are treating people.
It's up to me to judge their clinical skills, just as they judge mine.Over
time most of us gravitate towards collegues whose philosophies, clinical
skills, and office staffs mesh together well.
One question to ask when getting a referral: " Would you send your
wife(husband, son, dayghter... you get the picture) to this dentist? If so
why? If not, why not?
Then call the dentist and schedule a time to go by and visit. Ask for a
look around. Chances are (s)he ore the staff will be glad to give you a
tour.
