Dentistry, Honesty, Boca Raton and South Florida - Part 1

Why is it that a lot of people do not trust their professional team any more?
We as a society have become suspicious of all advertisement for a long time. Notorious not trustworthy were for a long time car salesmen, repairshops, contractors, handymen. Lately, we became more suspicious of our attorneys, doctors, investment advisors, accountants, realtors and... dentists. Why the change?
As a dentist, let me speak for my profession.
I live and practice dentistry in Boca Raton, Florida, a very affluent enclave of our affluent society. South Florida is a magnet for many dentists, not only because of the weather, but also because of the demographics of the potential dental patients. Most people in South Florida moved here from other places and don't really know each other. This is a first problem: one does not know whom to trust!
The second problem is even worse. It is an embedded conflict of interest in the patient-doctor relationship to begin with. If the dentist finds more "stuff", there is more treatment to perform, therefore the compensation is larger. Even if the dentist is conservative with the treatment proposed, the patient may be still suspicious, unless there is a trust between the two. This will be the subject of another blog.
So, the more findings, the more treatment, the more revenue for the dentist. What can be done about this build-in conflict of interest?
In summary, these two problems (and there are more) of most everybody being new to the area and the build-in conflict of interest both merge into the issue of trust.
Does anybody agree with me?
I presume some dentist will disagree with me, even feel offended.
In the next post I will get into the issue of trust and try to give some solutions to this question.

mr

Prostodontists vs. Cosmetic dentist

Prostodontists have completed a postgraduate training and are like cardiologists vs. general practitioners MD. Cosmetic dentists are like general practitioners MD who specialized in a new field, that was not available, for most part, to the prosthodontists at the time of their training. So, both General Practitioners Dentists and Prostodontists had to learn new procedures and concepts that are now called "Cosmetic Dentistry". Though, there is no such specialty yet.
This is my take on it, but some (prosthodontists) will vehemently disagree, because they believe their superior training in prosthetics will place them in a better position to perform cosmetic procedures.
Some GP that went through special training to acquire knowledge in cosmetic procedures will disagree as well.
To me, all dentistry should be cosmetic dentistry! Who would want an ugly (non-cosmetic) filling, crown, veneer, or implant restoration?

Michael

The best way to judge the quality of a dentist is by his/her thoroughness of the examination. A complete exam is not done to find more work to do, but is a duty of the dentist, on one hand, and something owed to the patient, on the other.
A good exam covers cancer screening, soft tissues, gums, muscles, joints, bite, teeth, old restorations, and aesthetic concerns. It includes photographs and radiographs, sometime even study models. A good exam is followed by a consultation, with time taken to go over with the patients over their concerns, questions, and bring up finding uncovered during the exam. An explanation of the problems found, the consequences of no treatment, the risk and benefits of treatment, and costs involved.
The critical point is found at the end of this consultation appointment; if the dentist gives the patient options, phases of the treatment, and allows for patient input in the decision and speed of the treatment process, chances are the dentist is not only good, but also honest! If the dentist is pushing for fast decisions, scares with dire consequences if not treated, wants to start right now... the best interest of the patient is not coming first!

Michael

Why a blog?

After watching the Internet scene for many years, I decided to join the trend of many users and start to connect with patients and peers using a blog.
My intention is to have a candid approach to all the questions that may arise.
My goal is to be a resource of information for the public and for my peers.
The first posting is an "empty" one; it is more a declaration of intentions.

Michael