What Other Dentists Say About My Work

I am so very lucky in my professional career. It seems like everyday one of my colleagues has something good to say about my work. I am in AWE of other dentists' most kind and genuine comments about the work that I place on the internet. Dentists are like folks that cut hair at a quality salon. They indignantly ask who cut your hair or who fixed your teeth because they want to offer a negative comment about the person that recently took care of you. I recently posted some photos of beautifully bonded strong resin fillings in back teeth and this is what another dentist has to say when HE posted some of his own similar work:

"With some recent posts by Gerald displaying his fantastic skills and creativity I thought it might be interesting to open the dialogue to explore the use of these materials in places that previously I only considered Indirect restorations.
I feel very strongly that when placed well these materials will last a very long time and when they begin to show signs of need, they can be repaired, replaced, or we can advance to more aggressive treatment modes if necessary."

Dr. Dennie Jenkins only knows me by the work that I have placed on the ACE dental forum. His comment on the forum is seen world wide and I am honored to have him mention MY work in his post. From a professional standpoint, it just does not get any better than this.

I thank Dr. Jenkins for his comments and I thank you for selecting me as the person that you trust to take care of you. I promise you that I will never,ever abuse your trust.

The Next Generation

It is an obligation of all of us to help prepare the next generation care for and lead the nation after we 'retire from life.' I do not believe that anyone would argue with that statement.
For the last 5 years I have made an attempt to reach out to younger dentists to help them take the path of excellence to provide great dentistry for their patients. Sometimes young dentists call me because an older dentist or specialist told them that that is what they needed to do. Other times, I call young dentists and ask them if they would like to join me for dinner so that we can get to know each other. I do this so that we help our young colleagues decide whether to go down the path of mediocrity or become a master at their craft.
I must be honest with you when I tell you that the old dentists of Troy hated when a young dentist moved into town. They wouldn't socialize with us, they would not offer help or advice in running a dental practice or how to improve our techniques.
I vowed many years ago that when I became an 'older dentist' that I would be generous with my time and knowledge so that young dentists can have the wonderful career in dentistry that I have had.
Last night I hosted four young dentists in a nice restaurant in Saratoga Springs and it was really a great experience for all of us. We are ethically and professionally obligated to support our young professionals as they move from new dentists to established clinicians.
PS. I am going to be restoring teeth for a long time to come.

"I Want You to be My Dentist"

It is always a great honor when another dentist selects me to be their dentist. It is more impressive when the dentist is from out of town, will travel 4 hours and knows me only by my work that he has seen on the internet.
I have been communicating by email with this young dentist from Pennsylvania for several years and he recently broke a back tooth and doesn't want his tooth cut down for a crown. I have become nationally recognized for my ability to place beautiful and strong bonded white fillings in back teeth with minimal removal of natural tooth structure.
I am always thrilled when a patient selects ME as their dentist because of my reputation for giving my patients fine restorative dentistry rather than because I am located down the street from their home or office.
I have many dentists as patients and I am honored to be 'the dentists dentist.' Perhaps this will give YOU food for thought and select the dentist that other dentists select as their dentist....I hope so.

Honored again

I have been mentoring a young dentist from India via the internet and emails. He asks me questions about materials or techniques that I use so that he can achieve excellence when treating his patients. I received some premier bonding resins worth about $500 but that I knew that I would never use. I mailed my young friend from India the resin along with the technique that I use to place the resin. Several weeks later, my friend sent me photos of children being fed at a local ophanage in India. He fed the children as a way of showing his appreciation for what I was doing for him. He also told the children about me and why he was doing what he was doing.
I was deeply touched by his most generous gift to me. I have NEVER received a better gift in my entire life.
I have lived a most blessed life.

I Have Been Honored

It is always an honor to be asked to give a presentation to your colleagues. Local dentists are rarely asked to give lectures locally because professionals feel a little threatened that one of their own is recognized in a particular area of study. What you also may not know is that learning is a very exhilarating yet scary process. Why is it scary? Because learning confirms our worst fears as a professional that indeed, we do not know much about what we are doing for patients on a daily basis. You can trust me when I tell you that my sole purpose in presenting a lecture is to help my young colleagues learn how to predictably achieve excellence when treating their own patients.
It is pretty amazing the Drs. Banchs and Byrnes, the endodontists at 18 Division Street, had the dream and for sight to establish a high quality and FREE learning center for Saratoga dentists so that the entire dental community can move towards excellence as a group. I would like to thank Drs. Banchs and Byrnes for the opportunity to learn.
All of us are much better off when the people that take care of us are very knowledgeable.