Encourage Your Children to Become a Dentist

I decided that I wanted to be a dentist when I was 9 years old. There has not been a day in more than 30 years that I have regretting my choice of a life career. One of the few 'failures' that I have had during my career is that I have not been successful in encouraging one child to become a dentist. Not One. Dentistry offers so much for those that enter the profession: Art, science, crafts, medicine, surgery or all of the above at the same time. Because dentists are among the most trusted professions, we learn a great deal about our patients: their joys, sorrows, difficulties and successes. Most importantly, it is an opportunity to care for another human being in an ethical and concerned manner.
I would like to suggest to those that read this post and have children that you encourage your children to consider Dentistry as a life career. They will thank you for it.
I love being a dentist.

Ten Years Younger

I performed a miracle this week!
I treated a middle aged, tall, attractive, successful male patient this week who came to my office because he thought that he looked old. What he was saying, in not so many words, was that his teeth were severely worn down so that when he smiled, he could not see any of his teeth. I am guessing that he saw a picture of himself in a family photo and was not pleased by what he saw. This week I started treatment to restore his entire mouth back to its original health so that all of his teeth would look they way they did when he was 25-35 . When my patient left in his temporary crowns, he looked like the the handsome man of his younger years. The gray hair still gave him away as a mature gentleman but his new smile made him look 10 years younger.
The appointment lasted all day as he was my ONLY patient of the day. It was thrilling to have him thank me and shake my hand when he left.
I just love being a dentist.

What about me?

We use the term cosmetic dentistry to describe fixing front teeth. Someone suggested recently that I describe dental problems that can be changed with cosmetic dentistry because everyone wants to know, "What about ME? What about MY teeth? Can he fix MY smile?"
When I meet a new patient for the first time at a consultation appointment, the first thing I ask the person is, "What brought you here and what are you looking for?" The concerns that people have about their smiles or appearance are:
1. The size of my teeth; my teeth are getting really short and it makes me look old
2. The gaps between my teeth; I have always hated the spaces
3. My teeth are all different colors; my old fillings don't match my teeth
4. My teeth are dark; I want white teeth again
5. My teeth are crooked; I always wanted straight teeth.
6. I show too much gum tissue; I hate my gummy smile and I want to look normal.
7. My teeth are chipping at the edges. I want full size teeth again
I can help you change anything that you don't like about your smile. If you don't see your particular problem with your smile on this list, please email me or call for an appointment so that we can discuss ways to improve how you look . People love to see other people smile and if you are ashamed to smile, don't wait....... Call today for an appointment.

Trusting those that care for us

It is now very obvious that trusting those that take care of us or who are supposed to act in our best interest has become more difficult. We know that trusting banks, financial institutions and politicians is no longer possible and they will have to change a great deal to regain our confidence. Trusting a dentist use to be very easy and, in fact, many years ago dentists were in the top three most trusted individuals. How do we know we can trust a new dentist?
1. Ask staff members in a new dental office how long the team has worked together or when the newest person began.
2. Ask how many hours of continuing education the dentist has. ('Educational' vacations don't count)
3. Ask if the dentist uses rubber dam for all of their routine dentistry.
4. Ask to see photographs of cases that the doctor has personally done.
5. Ask a dentist who their dentist is.
6. If the dentist participates in every insurance plan....Please be careful.
My staff and I have worked together for a total of 150 years and my newest staff member joined us 12 years ago. I have 2400 hours of continuing education including a Certificate of Proficiency in Esthetic Dentistsry (more than anyone else in the Capital District) and use rubber dam for every patient. Please look at my gallery section to see my beautiful dentistry. My personal dentist is Dr. Fred McIntyre in Buffalo, NY; he is one of the finest dentists in the world.
I will do everything possible to earn and keep your trust.

Demanding Excellence: The pilot who saved 155 lives

Everyone agrees that Captain Chesley Sullenberger III is a hero for safely landing his troubled plane in the Hudson River and saving 155 human beings. There is no doubt that Sully is superb at his craft.
America no longer holds teachers, physicians, dentists or pilots in high esteem; these talented people have been surpassed by swimmers, football and baseball players. One veteran pilot was recently quoted by New York Magazine (Feb. 9,2009) as saying, "Twenty five years ago, we were a step below astronauts. Now we're a step above bus drivers. And the bus drivers have a better pension."
We, as a country, need to value, appreciate, demand and buy excellence in teaching, medicine, dentistry and airline pilots because if we don't, the best and the brightest young people will not want to enter those professions and excellence will no longer be available when we need or want it.
Sully had spent decades learning and mastering his craft so that on January 15, 2009 when a flock of birds shut down the engines on his aircraft, he was able to calmly place flight1549 into the Hudson River without losing a single life.
Please think about this...If we don't want to buy excellence, it will disappear forever.

How do we attract new patients?

Many folks will tell us that America is the best informed country in the world. I cannot tell you whether or not that is true. I will tell you that the new people that have decided to come to our practice have all done their homework on the internet and have been to many different dentist's websites. And what our new patients will tell us is that our website is the best and that our work is excellent. My new patients are among the best informed because they have taken the time to research their choice of dentists before they make their selection.
Thanks for being so intelligent and thanks for being my patients.