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A long-time patient was seen today on an emergency basis for a toothache. I referred him to Dr. Banchs for a root canal. My patient recently retired because of health reasons. On the way out he we were talking and he said, "I envy you because you love your job and most people don't."
I am, indeed most fortunate to have a job that I love. Growing up, my family existed pay check to pay check and complaining was useless because there were no options.Consequently, I learned to like things that most people hated because we didn't have the luxury to do something else.
I love fixing teeth
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
Monday, February 6, 2017
115 Years
I had THREE patients in the office today at the same time and each of them became our patient in 1978-1979.
Each of them was in their late 70s or 80s.
Each of them had every tooth that they started with me 37 or 38 years ago.
And each of them has only a few crowns on their teeth.
I am very proud of my accomplishments in helping my patients keep their teeth for an entire lifetime.
I don't believe that the majority of dentists can make the same statements.
Each of them was in their late 70s or 80s.
Each of them had every tooth that they started with me 37 or 38 years ago.
And each of them has only a few crowns on their teeth.
I am very proud of my accomplishments in helping my patients keep their teeth for an entire lifetime.
I don't believe that the majority of dentists can make the same statements.
How is This Possible? (Not Political)
It is hard to believe that people who are down on their luck really believe that the President...Any President of either party...will bring back jobs...
Fracking killed coal...not government regulations. Fly over Texas where oil was king and you see wind mills and solar panels...Really????
Robots took manufacturing jobs not government regulation. Look at the new auto plants and you won't see many human beings doing the work.
We live in a different America today. I bet if you go to Kentucky, you won't see many people on Smart Phones.
High Honor
The Dental XP Forum is an international dental group comprised of some of the finest and most cutting edge clinicians in the world. I am honored to be part of this group and have posted many, many of my cases to this forum. My work has recognized around the world.
Today, I went to the Dental XP site and saw this:
Posted on 02.06.2017 06:05 PM By R. Terry Councill (Follow) In Occlusion
Today, I went to the Dental XP site and saw this:
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| Welcome Gerald Benjamin |
| Following 62 Posts · My Posts · My Account · Logout ·Contact Us |
Treating Severe Attrition - Help Gerald!!!!
Posted on 02.06.2017 06:05 PM By R. Terry Councill (Follow) In Occlusion
80 year old healthy male desires cosmetic dentistry.
It has been suggested that the interpupillary distance does not change. With that in mind, the measurement was taken. A ruler was then calibrated and transferred to the elder picture. DSD was done with this calibration. Will treat by redefining the incisor length, CR, and VD ala "Gerald Benjamin". Restore with anterior crown lengthening, posterio Zirconia and Empress layered Zirconia anteriorly. Post-op Tanner Applaince. Thoughts?
It has been suggested that the interpupillary distance does not change. With that in mind, the measurement was taken. A ruler was then calibrated and transferred to the elder picture. DSD was done with this calibration. Will treat by redefining the incisor length, CR, and VD ala "Gerald Benjamin". Restore with anterior crown lengthening, posterio Zirconia and Empress layered Zirconia anteriorly. Post-op Tanner Applaince. Thoughts?
Pre-op, DSD Workup
I am truly honored when other dentists either follow my clinical techniques, many of which I invented, or ask my opinion on how to treat their cases.
For most of my career, I was a little ole country dentist and marching to my own beat. Now your dentist has the recognition of dentists throughout the world.
It has never been about the money..always about the respect and trust of my patients, the recognition of my colleagues and my profession.
It has never been about the money..always about the respect and trust of my patients, the recognition of my colleagues and my profession.
(Aside: I won't tell them that the Dean as SUNY/Buffalo told me that I didn't have the skill set to be a dentist. Or that a dental school in NJ rejected me but also told me that I REALLY needed to consider another career.)
Monday, January 23, 2017
Alternative Facts (Not political)
We should never lie about something that can be counted, measured or photographed because that is a record. Also we should not tell big lies about meaningless things. And then we should not invent new words that mean "a lie."
Our government tried to get us...all of us and not just his supporters...that the Inauguration on Friday was THE BEST ATTENDED Inauguration of all time.
Houston we have a problem:
1. The photographs don't agree with that statement
2. The total days ridership of the Metro train system doesn't agree with the government's statement
3. The statement that the white sheets to protect the grass in the Mall had never been used before in an Inauguration was a 'factual' lie...We have the photos of the 2013 Inauguration.
My concern and it should be yours as well: Why lie to Citizens about something that is small, petty and meaningless.
Will OUR government lie to us about other, important events?
This is NOT a political argument. This is NOT a Democrat or Conservative argument.
Why would government lie about stupid stuff that no one cares about and that would have been forgotten by Saturday morning had the President not Tweeted?
So now when your boss or your children don't tell you the truth is it ok for them to say that they are just presenting ALTERNATIVE FACTS to you... Back in the day you would have lost your allowance and been grounded for a month.
So much to think about.
Our government tried to get us...all of us and not just his supporters...that the Inauguration on Friday was THE BEST ATTENDED Inauguration of all time.
Houston we have a problem:
1. The photographs don't agree with that statement
2. The total days ridership of the Metro train system doesn't agree with the government's statement
3. The statement that the white sheets to protect the grass in the Mall had never been used before in an Inauguration was a 'factual' lie...We have the photos of the 2013 Inauguration.
My concern and it should be yours as well: Why lie to Citizens about something that is small, petty and meaningless.
Will OUR government lie to us about other, important events?
This is NOT a political argument. This is NOT a Democrat or Conservative argument.
Why would government lie about stupid stuff that no one cares about and that would have been forgotten by Saturday morning had the President not Tweeted?
So now when your boss or your children don't tell you the truth is it ok for them to say that they are just presenting ALTERNATIVE FACTS to you... Back in the day you would have lost your allowance and been grounded for a month.
So much to think about.
Saturday, January 21, 2017
Mrs. Estabrooks
The Medical Confidentiality regulations expire on death so I can tell you about one of my patients that I have cared for for almost 4 decades.
Mrs. Estabrooks became our patient in 1978 or so. She lived close to Cropseyville, NY where my first office was located as did the vast majority of our earliest patients. She was a moderately well known local artist and showed her work around the area.
She was always a delight to treat and she trusted us implicitly to take care of her which is why she hadn't lost a tooth during the first almost 30 years that we took care of her.
My favorite Saturday night restaurant in Troy was the Italia as was Mrs. Estabrooks. Susan and I would see her and and another artist friend dining at the Italia almost every time we ate there. Sometimes I would buy their dinner and sometimes I would just send over the dessert for both of them. I don't think that they budgeted in the desserts. lol
Mrs. Estabrooks actually became a friend and not 'just' a patient. Yes she could could be feisty at times when at the office but we all loved her over the long period of time that we cared for her.
When I moved to Saratoga Springs, Mrs. Estabrooks came with us even if she had to take a
'medical cab' or have her son, Frank bring her. In fact, I just saw her a few short weeks ago to fix a tooth.
I am honored to have cared for Mrs. Estabrooks for all these decades. She passed away last week at age 93...
Enjoy the rest of the trip, Mrs. Estabrooks. ( I could never call her 'Carolyn.')
Mrs. Estabrooks became our patient in 1978 or so. She lived close to Cropseyville, NY where my first office was located as did the vast majority of our earliest patients. She was a moderately well known local artist and showed her work around the area.
She was always a delight to treat and she trusted us implicitly to take care of her which is why she hadn't lost a tooth during the first almost 30 years that we took care of her.
My favorite Saturday night restaurant in Troy was the Italia as was Mrs. Estabrooks. Susan and I would see her and and another artist friend dining at the Italia almost every time we ate there. Sometimes I would buy their dinner and sometimes I would just send over the dessert for both of them. I don't think that they budgeted in the desserts. lol
Mrs. Estabrooks actually became a friend and not 'just' a patient. Yes she could could be feisty at times when at the office but we all loved her over the long period of time that we cared for her.
When I moved to Saratoga Springs, Mrs. Estabrooks came with us even if she had to take a
'medical cab' or have her son, Frank bring her. In fact, I just saw her a few short weeks ago to fix a tooth.
I am honored to have cared for Mrs. Estabrooks for all these decades. She passed away last week at age 93...
Enjoy the rest of the trip, Mrs. Estabrooks. ( I could never call her 'Carolyn.')
A record
We have had more new patients in the month of January than at any time in our practise's history... Most of the new patients have selected our office to take care of their usual dental needs: cleanings, fillings, and x-rays...
People don't usually associate our office as a 'regular dental office' and only think about us when they hear about 'cosmetic dentistry' or advanced, complex or large cases. The reality is, that the great overwhelming number of our patients see us as their 'regular dentist' especially the large number of people who have been my patient for 25,30 or 35 years.
My forte is providing excellence in conservative, strong and long lasting direct resins which is what the overwhelming majority of dental patients want and their teeth NEED.
When I informed one of the other business owners at 18 Division Street of our monthly record, she asked me, "WHY do you think that is?" And then she answered her own question:
"Reputation and word of mouth."
There are other reasons as well: Constant monthly marketing is one BUT I think that the real reason, I think, is that many folks are getting tired of "average dentistry" which relies on crowning many teeth that ultimately destroys those same teeth especially if the patient is 20, 30 or 40 years old.
I believe and I hope that most new patients sincerely want excellence in restorative dentistry i.e. fixing teeth. I would also hope that my reputation is one of: honesty, integrity and high ethical standards.
For what ever reason, thank you for selecting our office for your dental care. I will do my best never to disappoint you.
PS: Yes we did get a few of the cosmetic and complex cases as well.
People don't usually associate our office as a 'regular dental office' and only think about us when they hear about 'cosmetic dentistry' or advanced, complex or large cases. The reality is, that the great overwhelming number of our patients see us as their 'regular dentist' especially the large number of people who have been my patient for 25,30 or 35 years.
My forte is providing excellence in conservative, strong and long lasting direct resins which is what the overwhelming majority of dental patients want and their teeth NEED.
When I informed one of the other business owners at 18 Division Street of our monthly record, she asked me, "WHY do you think that is?" And then she answered her own question:
"Reputation and word of mouth."
There are other reasons as well: Constant monthly marketing is one BUT I think that the real reason, I think, is that many folks are getting tired of "average dentistry" which relies on crowning many teeth that ultimately destroys those same teeth especially if the patient is 20, 30 or 40 years old.
I believe and I hope that most new patients sincerely want excellence in restorative dentistry i.e. fixing teeth. I would also hope that my reputation is one of: honesty, integrity and high ethical standards.
For what ever reason, thank you for selecting our office for your dental care. I will do my best never to disappoint you.
PS: Yes we did get a few of the cosmetic and complex cases as well.
Am I the Only One? (Not Political)
The election is over and the inauguration has come and gone.
Am I the only one who was offended by the President saying that the CARNAGE is over?
So I looked up the word "carnage" and found:
Am I the only one who was offended by the President saying that the CARNAGE is over?
So I looked up the word "carnage" and found:
Noun[edit]
carnage (usually uncountable, plural carnages)
- Death and destruction.
- What remains after a massacre, e.g. the corpses or gore.
- (figuratively, slang) Any chaotic situation. [quotations ▼]
Synonyms[edit]
Has anyone seen a massacre anywhere? Do we have blood and bodies laying in the streets?
Despite our crime, gangs and drugs, we remain one of the safest countries on earth.
I am offended when our President uses such a terrible word to describe Your Country and Mine. I had hoped for a speech that would unite our divided nation so that we can move forward together to achieve greater economic and social growth.
Most of the commentators called the speech, "Dark." I thought that it was disappointing because I expect more from our leaders.
Most of the commentators called the speech, "Dark." I thought that it was disappointing because I expect more from our leaders.
Maybe it's me.
Tuesday, January 17, 2017
Does Anyone Understand What It Means to Be Ethical? (NOT Political)
"Do the Right Thing" is my office motto (see that saying on our card holders in our office.) and the over riding philosophy in my office.
In 2013 Congress forced itself to observe the same rules that you and I have to follow. You can't buy stock on inside information that your brother in law gave you about the company that he works for...Similarly, members of Congress cannot buy stock based on information that they learn about a company during hearings or investigations....Seems fair to me.
So the man who wants to be the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tom Price, a Congressman, has some pretty shady dealings in his recent past according to CNN:
On January 16, 2017, CNN reported that Price had purchased shares in Zimmer Biomet, a medical devices company. Less than a week after the stock purchase, Price introduced legislation, the HIP Act, that would delay a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regulation until 2018. Industry analysts had warned that those regulations would significantly hurt the company's finances. Following the introduction of the HIP Act, Zimmer Biomet's political action committee made a donation to Price's reelection campaign.[63]
And did you know that the Congressman sits on the Congressional ETHICS COMMITTEE?
I am sorry but if you don't know right from wrong, what the hell are you doing writing laws for the rest of us to follow?
Maybe it's just me.
In 2013 Congress forced itself to observe the same rules that you and I have to follow. You can't buy stock on inside information that your brother in law gave you about the company that he works for...Similarly, members of Congress cannot buy stock based on information that they learn about a company during hearings or investigations....Seems fair to me.
So the man who wants to be the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tom Price, a Congressman, has some pretty shady dealings in his recent past according to CNN:
On January 16, 2017, CNN reported that Price had purchased shares in Zimmer Biomet, a medical devices company. Less than a week after the stock purchase, Price introduced legislation, the HIP Act, that would delay a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regulation until 2018. Industry analysts had warned that those regulations would significantly hurt the company's finances. Following the introduction of the HIP Act, Zimmer Biomet's political action committee made a donation to Price's reelection campaign.[63]
And did you know that the Congressman sits on the Congressional ETHICS COMMITTEE?
I am sorry but if you don't know right from wrong, what the hell are you doing writing laws for the rest of us to follow?
Maybe it's just me.
Saturday, January 14, 2017
Top 100 Jobs in America
CNN and US News and World Reports recently published lists of the top 100 jobs in America.
All of us knows that the best job in America is probably an NFL quarterback preferably from Boston ($40 million) or the CEO of Aetna Insurance (again ~$40 million) or perhaps the CEO of Facebook or Apple.
Instead, the media gives us a list of jobs that you and I can have like computer software writer or actuary...Let's not fool each other, most of us do not have one of the top jobs in America.
That said, I believe that I DO have one of the best jobs in the country. I know, I know, 70-80% of dentists don't love being a dentist..
I LOVE fixing teeth.
I really feel sorry for other dentists that hate what they do. I can understand why that is if I would put myself in their position:
1. The don't enjoy the trust and affection of their patients
2. They hate insurance companies telling them what to do and how much to charge
3. They don't like their staff because there is no loyalty on either side
4. The labs that make their crowns don't do a good job possibly because they dentist wants to pay as little to the lab as possible.
5. Their patients constantly cancel their appointments.
Fortunately, I don't have any of these problems.
I love being a dentist and would be a dentist again. If I could, I would place dentist at the top of either of the lists of best jobs...Please, don't you think that I believe my job is more fun and more rewarding than being an actuary?
Next time you want to find a new dentist, ask him or her if they LOVE being a dentist.
All of us knows that the best job in America is probably an NFL quarterback preferably from Boston ($40 million) or the CEO of Aetna Insurance (again ~$40 million) or perhaps the CEO of Facebook or Apple.
Instead, the media gives us a list of jobs that you and I can have like computer software writer or actuary...Let's not fool each other, most of us do not have one of the top jobs in America.
That said, I believe that I DO have one of the best jobs in the country. I know, I know, 70-80% of dentists don't love being a dentist..
I LOVE fixing teeth.
I really feel sorry for other dentists that hate what they do. I can understand why that is if I would put myself in their position:
1. The don't enjoy the trust and affection of their patients
2. They hate insurance companies telling them what to do and how much to charge
3. They don't like their staff because there is no loyalty on either side
4. The labs that make their crowns don't do a good job possibly because they dentist wants to pay as little to the lab as possible.
5. Their patients constantly cancel their appointments.
Fortunately, I don't have any of these problems.
I love being a dentist and would be a dentist again. If I could, I would place dentist at the top of either of the lists of best jobs...Please, don't you think that I believe my job is more fun and more rewarding than being an actuary?
Next time you want to find a new dentist, ask him or her if they LOVE being a dentist.
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