As I just recently started my career in private practice with Dr. Craig Christiansen in Orem, Utah I am starting to understand first hand the great amount of responsibility that I have as a dentist.
I know the feeling that you get when you are told something is wrong which you cannot personally verify, and that needs to be fixed by the person telling you there is a problem for a large amount of money. It feels like you are being taken advantage of.
I recently purchased an older car and took it to an auto mechanic for a safety and emissions inspection and was told I had to have $800 worth of repairs or it would not pass safety or emissions. I felt more than a little annoyed. When I bought the car the people I purchased it from said it passed safety and emissions just a few months ago. Why does this happen? Differences in interpretation of the safety and emissions guidelines? Conflicts of interest encouraging more work than really needs to be done in order to make more money?
I'm sure these are questions that arise in the minds of patients who come to see me or other dentists after switching from another dentist and more cavities or work is found than by a previous dentist. Sometimes there are differences in what one dentist would recommend versus another. Sometimes there are differences in diagnostic technologies allowing one dentist to see what another has not seen. There are gray areas in dentistry just like everything else. Cavities that appear to be borderline may be watched by one dentist or treated with a filling by another.
I try to think to myself every time I diagnose a patient with dental work to be done: "What would I do if it was my wife, son, or daughter in the chair? What would I want to have done with my mouth/teeth?" This helps me to keep in mind the best treatment possible independent of what the cost would be. Treatment plans do need to be adjusted depending on the decay rate, finances, etc but I will always try to treatment plan with the following motto: "Do unto others as I would have them do unto me."
I feel like I am a fairly conservative dentist. Whenever possible I like to not treat anything that does not need to be treated. I would love it if more of my patients showed up for their exams with no cavities. I don't get a thrill out of finding cavities or doing fillings. I am thrilled when I find someone with healthy teeth and gums that do not need treatment. I do enjoy my job and I take great pride in the work I do but I would never wish cavities on anyone, and I don't need to practice doing fillings. I actually really hope they put Fluoride in the water here in Utah County because it would help decrease cavities in kids and among people with less income who cannot afford dental care not to mention save everyone else a lot of money.
At least right now I am not paid by production but by the hour so I don't have a financial incentive to diagnose things that do not need to be done. That will not always be the case however, so I will have to maintain a high level of professional integrity and always remember to treat everyone like it was my family. So how can you know if you have an honest dentist? Go to dental school. :) Just like finding an honest mechanic you have to rely on the experience of others and hope that the dentist is honest with you too.
There are other things too which help keep even dentist who are not prone to honesty more honest such as insurance company's which review cases and make sure the work was needed, professional societies and boards of dentistry help regulate dentists in the community.
Other things could be a sign that a dentist has your best interest in mind. Do they help give you strategies on prevention; brushing, flossing, Xylitol, prescription toothpaste, etc? Do they ever mark down small cavities to be watched rather than immediately treated?
Something else that sets dentists apart from mechanics. We take an oath to do no harm and treat others with fairness and honesty. I will do my part to live up to that oath. In the meantime I will find a good honest mechanic.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
9 comments:
Dentists that meet your particular needs can be tough enough to do but finding a dentist that is a specialist can be even more difficult if you don't know where to look for a referral you can trust. Most consumers report that they found their current dentist from a recommendation usually from a friend or family member. However in today's mobile world most people don't stay in one area more than five years or so before they move on for a job or school opportunity and that means a lot of transition. Part of that transition means finding a new dentist all over again which can be difficult when you're new in town.
Boca Raton Dentist
For most consumers a general dentist is all we may ever need. A general practice dentist can take care of dental decay, extractions, simple root canals and cosmetic dental procedures like teeth whitening, caps, veneers and the like. But for patients who have special needs like having a difficult tooth extracted or who need a dentist who specializes in caring for children or gum diseases there is still a way to find a specialist using these consumer based web sites.
Plantation Dentist
Regardless of how great the doctor is, if you are not treated kindly and with respect then you need to find another dentist. You make appointments for a reason and if a doctor cannot respect your time then you should not pay them your money. A nice, welcoming staff is what you want during your search. Also, it is important to keep in mind that if you have a child that will also be visiting this same dentist, then you especially want to make sure they act in a respectful manner. Children need special care and attention in order to make them feel comfortable. If the office is run correctly and in a professional manner, then everyone, including children will feel at ease.
dental hygienist
Dentists that meet your particular needs can be tough enough to do but finding a dentist that is a specialist can be even more difficult if you don't know where to look for a referral you can trust. Most consumers report that they found their current dentist from a recommendation usually from a friend or family member. However in today's mobile world most people don't stay in one area more than five years or so before they move on for a job or school opportunity and that means a lot of transition. Part of that transition means finding a new dentist all over again which can be difficult when you're new in town.
Pembroke Pines Clear Braces
Great info! Thanks!
Dentist
Very nice post, thanks for sharing the information. Keep up the good work.
topsfield dentist
Controlling your diet is really important for dental health. It is crucial to keep your teeth cleaned. This is one means to make sure that they are not taking in too much sugar and accruing cavities.I share one of good Pembroke Pines Orthodontist which work very efficiently you would check out this website and wast the videos of his customers.
Controlling your diet is really important for dental health. It is crucial to keep your teeth cleaned. This is one means to make sure that they are not taking in too much sugar and accruing cavities.I share one of good Pembroke Pines Orthodontist which work very efficiently you would check out this website and wast the videos of his customers.
I think that there are some similarities because you don't know what they know but that is in any medical profession. I think that it's super important to find a dentist that you know in some way. If you don't know any I think the best thing is to get a good recommendation from someone you trust.
I've never had a bad experience at any dentist but they've all been people I know like Dr. Freddy Vallejo in Plantation Florida
Post a Comment