The Bottom Line is TRUST

Many of my Troy patients have been with me between 20 and 30 years. This group of patients have been among my most loyal and for the most part, they will be my patients for as long as I continue to practice dentistry.
I saw one of my 30yr patients today and the issue of Trust came up and I told my patient that having the 'trust' of my patients was very important to me. The patient responded, " Dr. Benjamin, ALL of your patients trust you."
Kinder words could not have been spoken.
Many patients do not want a relationship with their dentist and they are merely looking to have a licensed 'technician' fix a tooth for a relatively low level fee. My patients like me,like my staff and know that I have a sincere interest in maintaining their dental health. Not only do they trust me to take care of them but I return that level of trust by giving the vast majority of my patients my personal cell phone number with instructions to call me any time they need me. I TRUST my patients enough so that I never worry that I will receive a frivolous phone call.
The bottom line IS trust.

The Concept of Being a Master

It has always amazed me when patients believe that the young physician or dentist must be more knowledgeable than their older colleagues because they just graduated from professional school and therefore must have been taught the most up to date information.
What did Chesley 'Sully' Sullenberger, the pilot who saved 155 lives by landing his plane perfectly in the Hudson River, say about being a master pilot?

He wrote: "These new pilots may have exceptional training, and they may have a higher degree of ability. But it takes time, hour after hour, to master the science and art of flying a commercial jet."

I have been a dentist for 33 years, studied with the very best dentists in the world, spent millions of dollars on my professional education, won one of the most prestigious dental contests in the world sponsored by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and strive to be the very best that I can be as a restorative dentist.

If Capt. Sullenberger were describing what it would take to be a master dentist, where do you think I would fall on the mastership path?

Please consider becoming our patients so that you can learn first hand about excellence in the profession of dentistry.

The Mistake

I read or hear about medical or dental 'mistakes' in which a patient is injured during a treatment procedure.
I ask myself how this can happen and I have come up with a few possibilities:
1. The doctor is in a rush to get to the next patient
2. The doctor is distracted by personal issues (divorce, a sick family member etc)
3. The doctor has not learned enough about the procedure to be competent or better yet, proficient.
4. The doctor schedules too many patients during the day
5. The doctor has a new business consultant who tells them to see as many patients as possible so that they can make as much money as possible.
6. The doctor has a drug or alcohol problem.
7. The doctor just doesn't care about his or her patients.

As a patient, WHY would you select someone to take care of you or your family who is described on the list above?
Excellent physicians and dentists are NOT average and are so good at what they do as not to put making money or personal issues above the care of their patients. The BEST will not rush through your treatment, will not participate with an insurance company and will not make mistakes.

Do you really want an average physician or dentist taking care of you. I DON'T.

70% of Dental Patients Are Going to the Wrong Dentist

How is this possible and why would I make that statement?
Many years ago the American Dental Association (ADA) did a survey among dentists asking the question "Would you become a dentist again if given the opportunity?"
To the surprise and dismay of the ADA, the official organization of the profession of dentistry, discovered that a whopping 70% of dentists would not be a dentist again. This means that the majority of patients are not being treated by a dentist who LOVES what they do? This is another way of saying that the person doing your dentistry doesn't want or care to treat you AND would rather be doing something else.
I LOVE being a dentist...It is my PASSION and my hobby. There is nothing more that I enjoy doing than being your dentist. I care about getting it right and I care about the sacred oath that I took when I became a dentist in 1977. That oath says that I will always do the right thing for the right reasons when I take care of another human being.
I wish the ADA asked me whether I would become a dentist again. In fact, the organization was so shocked and dismayed by the response of the dentist's survey that they have NEVER asked the question again.
So would you rather be treated by a dentist who wants to be golfing or on his boat or would you select a dentist that loves dentistry and is passionate about his life's work?
I am here to take care of those patients that seek good dentistry and know that there is a difference between dentists.

My patient's trust, appreciation and hugs

As all of my patients know, I care about you a great deal. During the last year or two, I have noted that many of my patients are thanking me and my staff for the work that we do and how well we take care of them. And recently I have received an incredible number of hugs at the end of my appointments. I think that some of my long time patients became a little nervous when I opened my new office in Saratoga Springs as they realized that perhaps I wouldn't always be around.
This also makes me think about my wife's gynecologist, the great Jonathan Schwartz, who passed away last week. Dr. Schwartz took care of my wife and thousands of other patients over the last 30 years and when the story about his death was announced on Sunday, I am sure that there were many tears from his patients. Dr. Schwartz was among the last of the BELOVED doctors who took care of his patients the exact same way despite the fact that medicine changed to a managed care environment.
As the old saying goes...you don't know what you have till you lose it. But that was not entirely true with Dr. Schwartz...He will be missed by his patients who loved him.

A Dentist's Disappointment in the Final Results

There was an article in the Magazine section of the Sunday NY Times today about an artist who said that she is frequently disappointed with her results because she knows that she could have done better. One of the dentists on the ACE forum after reading the the artist's story said that he frequently feels the same level of dissatisfaction with his patient's case outcomes.
I wrote the dentist privately and said that I was NEVER disappointed with my cases because of the 10-20 hours of study and preparation that I do BEFORE I start a big case.
Excellence is not an accident. I study and prepare endlessly before I ever touch my patient..."Proper preparation prevents poor performance." in the words of my great mentor and my personal dentist, Fred McIntyre.
You need to know that before I start one of the functional and beautiful cases that you see on this website that I have fully prepared myself to treat you...I have no choice...YOU are my PATIENT and you deserve the best.

Praise From a Colleague

I have told you that I frequently place my completed cases on the ACE Dental Forum in order to educate my colleagues and have my work critiqued by them. To my great surprise, I noted the following title in the subject line of the email:
LARGE RESIN ALA BENJAMIN--ALMOST
These are the kind words of one of my colleagues,friend and patient:
"Group, Here is yesterday mornings' project. I have admired Gerald Benjamin's work like many of you do and couple of months back I broke #18 and had him repair it. A gracious host, and outstanding educator. I laid there in the chair; mirror in hand watching. He also equilibrated me, a much needed and appreciated service."
I cannot thank my patients and colleague enough for the wonderful things that they say about me and my work.
The greatest gift from God is to have the ability,knowledge,skill,talent and compassion to help another human being.
I am truly blessed.

What Is My Job?

I saw a long time patient yesterday (25 yrs) who had a toothache and called my office. We immediately gave him an appointment on the same day that he called. I know my patients VERY WELL and I know the very significant illnesses of my patient with a toothache. I chatted with him for a while and then asked him about his toothache. I took some X-Rays and did some other tests and informed Ken that I would help set up an appointment with an endodontist (root canal specialist) near his home in Troy.
I went out to the waiting room and explained to Ken's wife the nature of his toothache and what I was going to do about it. I told her that I would have Donna call the specialist and obtain the next available appointment. "But why can't you do the root canal? Ken's wife asked. And I responded, "And what is my Job?" And all of my patients know to answer,"To take care of me!"
I have told you before that I will ALWAYS do what is my patients best interest because that it my job. Sometimes I will solve your problem and won't earn any money because I have sent you to a specialist..Ken has had serious medical problems and I know that he NEEDS an expert dentist to do his root canal so that we can avoid any medical complications.
My job is to take care of you....And that is my Life's Work.

You Have A Benjamin Smile

Several years ago I had a large billboard on Route 9 just before Siena College heading south towards Albany. The billboard only had two things: a fabulous smile of one of my patients and the my website address: www.benjaminsmile.com
One of my patients told me a story yesterday during her regular check up about her new smile which is several years old. She was riding in a car with a friend when she passed my billboard. Her friend said to my patient," You have a Benjamin Smile," indicating that her friend admired her smile. The friend then asked my patient,"Who did your BenjaminSmile?" And my patient told her, "Dr. Benjamin"
The Benjaminsmile is a one of a kind work of art requiring hours of planning and two full days of personal treatment as our office's only patient of the day.
There may be other attractive smiles created by other dentists but there is only one BENJAMIN SMILE.

What My Patient Wrote

I would be embarrassed to repeat some of the wonderful things that our patients send us in notes, cards or letters. On the other hand, folks that are considering having our office take care of them need to know what kind of office we are.
A note that we received today:
Dear Dr. Benjamin,
Thank you for being so caring to me and my family.
We are wishing you the very best for the Holiday Season and praying that your New Year is everything and more than you could ever expect.
If everyone could care like you do---what a wonderful world this would be.
See you in the Spring.
With our love and prayers.
MH

Please keep sending your kind thoughts...We read everything and we truly do care about our patients.

My Best Work is the Work that You Can't See

I restored the left front central incisor for this 27 year old female. The very large bonded filling that I replaced was very poorly done, using the wrong resin, the wrong shade and a sloppy technique.
Many dentists would just have loved to cut down the rest of this patient's front tooth and place a crown because they haven't learned the correct technique to place invisible bonded fillings that look like a real tooth.
Why would anyone be a patient of a dentist who doesn't care enough to learn how to do work correctly? What does it say about a patient? If you honestly believe that all dentists know the same techniques and are equally talented then I guess that you would keep your present dentist.
If You can't find the filling in the photograph, perhaps you need to find the dentist who did that work...I will be happy to become YOUR dentist.

I Had My Tooth Extracted

I have lost 5 permanent teeth including the one Dr. Robert Carpenter removed today. Perhaps some of you are thinking that I must not take good care of my teeth. Nothing could be further from the truth. I brush and floss at least TWICE a day, use Listerine Mouthwash between every patient and haven't eaten sweets in 30 years. And I have spent more money on my teeth than anyone that I have ever met. Then why am I losing some teeth? Some of you may be guessing the answer especially if you are a regular reader of my BLOGS. I had root canals and crowns on my back teeth while in my teens and early 20's due to a large intake of sweets and the resulting tooth decay. Cutting down beautiful, natural tooth structure for crowns is the beginning of the end for that tooth EVEN if the tooth lasts another 30 years.
None of us should go to dentists that are in a hurry to cut down our teeth and we should ask them : "How are you strengthening my tooth by cutting down the strongest part of the tooth, the enamel?"
Beautifully done, strong bonded white resin fillings placed under a rubber dam are the best restoration that you can buy to keep much of your own tooth structure.
Many dentists who accept insurance just can't wait to put crowns on your teeth because crowns are a covered benefit under your insurance coverage. If you want to have your teeth cut down then you too will have your teeth extracted in late middle age.
I wish that I had a dentist like me, with the technology that I have and the concern and ethics to always put their patient's best interest first...I would still have all of my own teeth.

Professional Criticism: ACE Forum2

Most of the dentists in the Capital District and many of my patients think of me as a 'Cosmetic Dentist.' Nothing could be further from the truth. The vast majority of my time is spent helping patients keep their back teeth with beautifully done direct composite restorations. As I have told you before...I will not destroy beautiful, healthy, natural tooth structure and place a crown when a well done bonded filling can be placed.
These photos show bonded fillings that I placed 5 years ago on all four of these back teeth. The bonded composite fillings look exactly the same as the day that I placed them.
So what do my peers have to say about my FIVE YEAR OLD WORK?

Dr. B is a periodontist in Atlanta,GA who prefers to practice as a general dentist.

"Each time I look at your work I am blown away. I realize that one can take class after class and still not achieve the same result, and this is because of the innate talent behind the individual. That doesn't come from a class at all. I like seeing Danny Melker's perio surgery and root reshaping protocol, as well as Bill Strupps cores and preparations, as well as final restorations. Theirs, like yours, is pure art. Thanks for sharing. It gives me something to shoot for."

Dr. S is a general dentist from Dallas,TX
'Mine don't look that good after 5 minutes, much less 5 years. Gerald, you are truly a master. Do you teach any courses on direct restorations?'

Dr. T practices in Las Vegas, NV. I was his instructor at a SUNY/Buffalo graduate course in 1999 or so.
'Dear Gerald they r beautiful. You r a true artist.'


Dr. L is a dentist working at a large hospital.
'Still the master!!'

Why am I posting my work and the comments of my peers? These are folks that fully recognize and appreciate clinical dentistry performed at a very high level. I truly value the comments of my patients when they thank me for being their dentist. But I have to tell you, there is nothing like having other dentists appreciate MY Work.
As I have told you before...I am NOT a cosmetic dentist. I am just a good dentist who passionately cares about taking care of his patients.

What Do Doctors Do?

I recently treated a physician who has a daughter that needs some surgery. He and I discussed the nature of the injury that required surgery in such a young person. I asked him if he was looking for the best possible orthopedic surgeon...He responded, "ABSOLUTELY." We are travelling to Denver,Colorado to see the same surgeon who treated a famous NY Yankee. When I need to have a broken tooth fixed, I get in my car and drive 5 hours to Buffalo to have one of the best dentists in the world treat me.
What is the point? Those of us in the healing professions fully recognize that many of our colleagues are not up to par and that we need to seek out the best just like you need to do when you become ill or have a significant dental problem.
Physicians and Dentists accept the fact that there is a huge difference in knowledge, skill, talent and passion among our peers and that we won't let just any physician or dentist treat us or our families.
You need to learn this and do what my colleagues and I do: seek out the best.

I Dont Take Photographs

Tis the time of the year!
I am not a party person and don't do well in party settings. This is the time of the year when dental specialists have holiday parties to meet and thank referring dentists for their trust and confidence. In a room filled with dentists, the chance of chatting with someone other than a dentist is slim.
I met a dentist who told me that they did fabulous clinical dentistry that rose to the level of art. That always perks up my interest so I asked the person if they would mind sending me photos of their work. The dentist responded that they were too busy to take photos. In the movie the famous line was, "Show Me The Money." In dentistry it is "Show Me The Photo" and if you don't have photos...it is assumed that you haven't done it.
The only thing that I could take away from the conversation is that if you are too busy to take photos, maybe they are too busy to do things the right way.
The best dentists in the world and the dentists that I study with have shown thousands of photos so that everyone knows who they are and what they have done.
As I have told you before, if your dentist doesn't take lots of photos, it is time to find a dentist that does.

Mystery Diagnosis

One of my favorite programs is 'Mystery Diagnosis.' The program shows a patient that has been having troublesome or terrific medical problems for a long time (usually two years)and despite the fact that they have gone from doctor to doctor, no one can find what is causing the problem. By the end of the half hour, the patient finally has found one of the best doctors in the world who is able to read the patients history,talk to the patient and finally examines him or her. Usually within minutes, the doctor confidently and correctly diagnoses the problem. After a commercial, the patient always asks the identical question,"Why didn't the other doctors find my problem 2 years ago?
Those of you who have kept up with my blogs easily know the answer to the poor patients question.
And for those of you who haven't read my blogs before: Some doctors should be auto mechanics while others love the status of the profession. Still others love being a physician, love to learn and are passionate and ethical about caring for their patients.
I really wish that patients would stop selecting mediocre physicians and dentists to take care of them just because they participate with an insurance company. Here is a little secret: The best physicians and dentists do not participate in any insurance program.
Please select the people that take care of you carefully because your life or the life of someone that you love may depend on it.

We Are Very Fortunate

I was speaking with a friend's parents yesterday that live in South America. They were relating problems that the middle class have with the lower classes who try to steal their money and possessions at gunpoint while in their car or just walking around the neighborhood. Very poor folks will do anything to survive.
Most of us are so very lucky to have been born in the United States and to have the things that we have...especially our safety.
I went to do my weekly banking for my office and the teller was telling me that she wasn't having a good day because it was so dreary outside. I reminded her that she hadn't been given a diagnosis of cancer today and didn't that make her feel a whole lot better.
I hope everyone that reads this takes a step back and realizes how lucky we are.

The Government Says that YOU cannot decided

I believe that companies or their insurance should pay when a worker is injured on the job. I also believe that auto insurance should pay when someone injures their mouth, jaw or teeth in a car accident.
The GOVERNMENT says the a dentist MUST accept whatever the government wants to pay to correct the injuries.
Now let's say that you fell at work and broke your three front teeth but you know that your new young dentist is not very good at fixing front teeth so that they would look as good as before they were broken.
And let's further assume that your co-worker, a patient of Dr. Benjamin, tells you to go to see him because he CAN make you look as if you hadn't taken that bad fall and he has gone to lots of extra training to know how to do what he does.
You call Dr. Benjamin and explain that you were injured on the job and Donna, the secretary extraordinaire, tells you that Dr. Benjamin does not accept Workman's Compensation fees.
You are so disappointed that you might have to go back to your new young dentist to fix your front teeth so you tell your boss that you can't go to the dentist with lots of training in repairing front teeth because he doesn't accept Workman's Compensation fees. Now your boss is a very smart man and knows that you are the best employee that he has so he personally calls Dr. Benjamin's office and tells Donna that he will pay Dr. Benjamin's usual fee or whatever Workman's Compensation does not pay.
The New York State Government says that neither you nor your employer can use YOUR OWN MONEY to get the best care that you want and deserve. This is one of the few times in all of American life that you cannot, BY LAW, buy what you want.
This is not right.

Professional Criticism: The ACE forum

Very few professionals are willing or encouraged to place their work before their peers unless they are forced to do so for State Licensing or to earn credentials in a professional organization.
I frequently post my completed cases (no faces unless my patient consents to this) on the ACE Forum. This is an open and free forum for the exchange of ideas, education,and to gain recognition by ones peers.
Why would I show close up photographs of my work for criticism by my peers?
Because it makes me a better dentist which means that you know that you are getting the best possible care that I could give to you.
Last night I posted a close up view of a case that I completed two years ago in which I told my colleagues that my goal in completing a cosmetic case is to have the work mimic beautiful natural teeth.
So what do my colleagues think of my work? More importantly, how do you, my patient feel about knowing that YOUR dentist is highly respected in his or her professional community?

Dr. H is a well known lecturer from Connecticut:
That is some beautiful work.....who did the lab work?
Just beautiful
I am proud to know you.

Dr. D is a dentist in New Mexico:
Beautiful.
One issue I really like is that you have no problem keeping the porcelain a 1/2 mm off the marginal gingival tissue. You don't bury the margins sub-gingivally. The soft tissue can't help but love this.

Dr. L is a dentist in Wisconsin:
Absolutely magnificent.
I need to come out and watch you for a few days to see exactly how you do things.
Keep up the great work.

Dr. M is a dentist in Connecticut:
Thank you for sharing this case. The dentistry is exceptional and it's nice to see that natural-looking results can be a great option for patients. This will be a great case for people to save and show their patients when having the discussion about what they want to look like.

(Truth in posting: there were NO negative comments.)
I am honored to have my work critiqued by my peers. It confirms my belief that I do wonderful dentistry for you, my patient.