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Despite the fact that I post my work on the ACE dental forum, I am not one of the 'darlings' of the forum because I expect that we are all striving for excellence when that is, in reality, not true.
I was sent the work of another dentist from a lab by mistake. I photographed the work and posted it on the ACE forum as an example of less than ideal dentistry that would most likely fail in the very near future.
Many of the dentists on the forum supported the shoddy dentistry which most certainly surprised me. Why would other dentists come to the defense of a colleague that produces mediocre dentistry? In fact, one of my colleagues sent me a private email in which he said:
"Yeah, it feels real good to be able to dump on another colleague and make yourself feel oh so superior."
Can it really be true that folks are rising up in defense of mediocrity rather than strongly suggesting that the dentist learn the fundamentals of dentistry?
I just can't believe it. Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln must be rolling over in their graves.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
"I am Offended"
Trish, our new hygienist, does her very best to make you comfortable and to that end, she offers parafin wax hand treatments during your cleanings.
Last week Trish asked a patient if she would like the hand treatment and the patient showed her displeasure with that offer.
"I come to Dr. Benjamin for his talent, his credentials and his ethics and I don't want hand treatments."
When I entered the hygiene room and greeted my patient she told me that she thought wax parafin hand treatments were over the top and unnecessary and she repeated the reasons why she is my patient.
I explained to my patient that what she valued in a physician or a dentist...the talent, the credentials and the ethics...were no longer valued by the majority of dental patients and while her standards of excellence were very high that they were of a by-gone era.
I want my patients to select ME as their dentist for my talent, my education and my ethics. Unfortuantely, the vast majority of patients select a dentist on the basis of whether they participate with their insurance. That said, my patients are so smart and so special that the old time values for selecting a dentist DO APPLY.
I thank you all for being my patient. You are smarter than most dental patients and you are special.
Last week Trish asked a patient if she would like the hand treatment and the patient showed her displeasure with that offer.
"I come to Dr. Benjamin for his talent, his credentials and his ethics and I don't want hand treatments."
When I entered the hygiene room and greeted my patient she told me that she thought wax parafin hand treatments were over the top and unnecessary and she repeated the reasons why she is my patient.
I explained to my patient that what she valued in a physician or a dentist...the talent, the credentials and the ethics...were no longer valued by the majority of dental patients and while her standards of excellence were very high that they were of a by-gone era.
I want my patients to select ME as their dentist for my talent, my education and my ethics. Unfortuantely, the vast majority of patients select a dentist on the basis of whether they participate with their insurance. That said, my patients are so smart and so special that the old time values for selecting a dentist DO APPLY.
I thank you all for being my patient. You are smarter than most dental patients and you are special.
Our Visitor From Toronto
As you know, I love posting my work on the ACE forum and of course, I love it when other dentists offer their compliments. Several years ago a Canadian dentist saw my work and asked if it was acceptable for him to show other dentists what excellence looked like and he would put my name on the work. He also said that someday he would love to come to my office to watch me work.
Dr. Roel Wyman a dentist from Toronto made good on his promise to visit. I must say that I am always flattered when dentists ask to visit and observe how I treat my patients.
Dr. Wyman sent me a nice email when he arrived home telling me how much he enjoyed the visit and how much he had learned. I am truly honored by my colleagues visit. More importantly, I will continue to do dentistry for you, my patient, so that it continues to be worthy of my colleagues praise.
I owe you this. We have a sacred relationship of the doctor and the patient. And my promise to every patient is that I will do my very best to make you happy with your treatment.
Dr. Roel Wyman a dentist from Toronto made good on his promise to visit. I must say that I am always flattered when dentists ask to visit and observe how I treat my patients.
Dr. Wyman sent me a nice email when he arrived home telling me how much he enjoyed the visit and how much he had learned. I am truly honored by my colleagues visit. More importantly, I will continue to do dentistry for you, my patient, so that it continues to be worthy of my colleagues praise.
I owe you this. We have a sacred relationship of the doctor and the patient. And my promise to every patient is that I will do my very best to make you happy with your treatment.
"Hospitals Make No Headway in Curbing Errors"
This is one of the stories on the front page of todays New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/25/health/research/25patient.html?_r=1&ref=health
How is this possible?
This problem is unlike untreatable cancer and it does have a solution. The problem is that no one wants to sit down and create fail safe standards, impliment the standards and enforce the rules.
Patients don't care...they just want it to cost less and therefore their is little effort to demand safer hospitals. Most of the mistakes are preventable according to the article.
One more thing that has fallen because we, as a country, are failing to pursue EXCELLENCE. Am I starting to sound like a broken record or a crotchety old man?
I apologize, but when I treat a patient I truly am trying to do my best to achieve the best possible outcome without harming you in any way.
Maybe hospitals need a lesson.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/25/health/research/25patient.html?_r=1&ref=health
How is this possible?
This problem is unlike untreatable cancer and it does have a solution. The problem is that no one wants to sit down and create fail safe standards, impliment the standards and enforce the rules.
Patients don't care...they just want it to cost less and therefore their is little effort to demand safer hospitals. Most of the mistakes are preventable according to the article.
One more thing that has fallen because we, as a country, are failing to pursue EXCELLENCE. Am I starting to sound like a broken record or a crotchety old man?
I apologize, but when I treat a patient I truly am trying to do my best to achieve the best possible outcome without harming you in any way.
Maybe hospitals need a lesson.
Standards of Excellence
I have studied with the best dentists in the world: Drs. Frank Spear,Newton Fahl, Fred McIntyre and Francisco Banchs.They have taught me that pursing EXCELLENCE is not an option but a requirement when treating a patient.
Can you understand what an incredible standard that is? You must do your BEST all day, everyday. The journey towards excellence is frustrating and stressful until it becomes as automatic and brushing your teeth.
One of my colleagues made a comment on the ACE forum today:
"I love the standards that Gerald and others set. They are right, and we should all strive to reach them if we are afforded the opportunity. But sometimes we are asked to make the best of an imperfect situation by the patient. We do have the right to choose not to help them, and at some point that becomes the ONLY right choice. I'm not sure we're here yet with this case."
I am honored that my standards and my work are now among the standards of excellence for my colleagues.
It is my goal to make my mentors and teachers proud of me. Why would you want to be a patient of a doctor that does not pursue EXCELLENCE. Please think about that and find people to treat you that have a philosophy of excellence. You do have a choice in dentistry.
Can you understand what an incredible standard that is? You must do your BEST all day, everyday. The journey towards excellence is frustrating and stressful until it becomes as automatic and brushing your teeth.
One of my colleagues made a comment on the ACE forum today:
"I love the standards that Gerald and others set. They are right, and we should all strive to reach them if we are afforded the opportunity. But sometimes we are asked to make the best of an imperfect situation by the patient. We do have the right to choose not to help them, and at some point that becomes the ONLY right choice. I'm not sure we're here yet with this case."
I am honored that my standards and my work are now among the standards of excellence for my colleagues.
It is my goal to make my mentors and teachers proud of me. Why would you want to be a patient of a doctor that does not pursue EXCELLENCE. Please think about that and find people to treat you that have a philosophy of excellence. You do have a choice in dentistry.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
EXCELLENCE
What is 'excellence?'
Excellence is a rare occurrence among humans. Apparently average was meant to be the norm for humans.
Well if 'excellence' is so rare then will we know it when we see it? ABSOLUTELY!!!
In fact, when you see excellence, it is forever etched in your memory.
For instance: When man first walked on the moon it was an example of engineering excellence that was beyond our imagination.
When I talked to people about excellence or finding THE BEST to take care of you, I frequently am met with blank stares because folks find it hard to believe that one physician or one dentist is really better than any other physican or dentist.
If you want to see an example of excellence and how fabulous humans can be when striving for excellence look at this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eE5nxzSljCg
The hands, the eyes, the brain and the human spirit combine to accomplish impossilbe feats. (Aside: I am not saying that Tiger Woods as a human being is an example of excellece but rather how he does his job is noteworth. If your children need someone to idolize or need a hero then I suggest Dr. Jonas Salk who saved billions of children from contracting Polio.
Exellence is a rarity. It demonstrates how wonderful things would be if we all strove to be the best.
Excellence is a rare occurrence among humans. Apparently average was meant to be the norm for humans.
Well if 'excellence' is so rare then will we know it when we see it? ABSOLUTELY!!!
In fact, when you see excellence, it is forever etched in your memory.
For instance: When man first walked on the moon it was an example of engineering excellence that was beyond our imagination.
When I talked to people about excellence or finding THE BEST to take care of you, I frequently am met with blank stares because folks find it hard to believe that one physician or one dentist is really better than any other physican or dentist.
If you want to see an example of excellence and how fabulous humans can be when striving for excellence look at this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eE5nxzSljCg
The hands, the eyes, the brain and the human spirit combine to accomplish impossilbe feats. (Aside: I am not saying that Tiger Woods as a human being is an example of excellece but rather how he does his job is noteworth. If your children need someone to idolize or need a hero then I suggest Dr. Jonas Salk who saved billions of children from contracting Polio.
Exellence is a rarity. It demonstrates how wonderful things would be if we all strove to be the best.
Dr David Altchek and Me
Dr. David Altchek is known to be among the top 10 shoulder surgeons in the country. He performs surgery on the NY METS players,tennis stars and other professional athletes. When I asked my physical therapy, Tony Dematteo who THE BEST shoulder surgeon was, he did not hesitate a second to reply 'Dr. David Altchek.'
My patients need to know that it is my GOAL to be like Dr. Altchek. I want to be known for being a dentist that pursues EXCELLENCE in his patient's behalf. I want the name Gerald Benjamin to be associated with the word 'EXCELLENCE.'
I find it interesting that most dentists would love to be known as the most successful dentist in town. That has never interested me and I would NEVER place my financial self interest above my professional obligation to take care of you, my patient.
I will continue to study and work hard so that I can continue to move toward my goal of becoming the best possible dentist that I can become.
I really want to be like Dr. Altchek.
My patients need to know that it is my GOAL to be like Dr. Altchek. I want to be known for being a dentist that pursues EXCELLENCE in his patient's behalf. I want the name Gerald Benjamin to be associated with the word 'EXCELLENCE.'
I find it interesting that most dentists would love to be known as the most successful dentist in town. That has never interested me and I would NEVER place my financial self interest above my professional obligation to take care of you, my patient.
I will continue to study and work hard so that I can continue to move toward my goal of becoming the best possible dentist that I can become.
I really want to be like Dr. Altchek.
I Always Try to Walk the Talk
I strongly believe in actually doing for myself the things that I recommend to my patients whether we are talking about teeth or non-dental issues. I have had both porcelain veneers and implants and so has my wife and most of my staff members.
I recently tore my rotator cuff and was told by a local orthopedic surgeon that I would require surgery in order to get back to normal. I went from the surgeon's office to my physical therapist (Saratoga Physical Therapy) and asked Tony Dematteo who THE BEST shoulder surgeon was and without hesitation he responded "Dr. David Altchek" in Manhattan.
On Dec 7, I will have shoulder surgery by one of THE BEST shoulder surgeons in the country and I will pay the majority of the cost from my savings as THE BEST does not participate with insurance companies.
I have always told you that you need to spend the time to FIND THE BEST to take care of you and your family. And as I say, "If we as a country do not buy EXCELLENCE it will cease to exist."
Why would I take a sizeable amount of money out of my savings account to hire the best surgeon when I can be treated by a local surgeon for a fraction of the cost?
Two reasons: 1.Because I always try to walk the talk and 2. Because I am worth it.
I recently tore my rotator cuff and was told by a local orthopedic surgeon that I would require surgery in order to get back to normal. I went from the surgeon's office to my physical therapist (Saratoga Physical Therapy) and asked Tony Dematteo who THE BEST shoulder surgeon was and without hesitation he responded "Dr. David Altchek" in Manhattan.
On Dec 7, I will have shoulder surgery by one of THE BEST shoulder surgeons in the country and I will pay the majority of the cost from my savings as THE BEST does not participate with insurance companies.
I have always told you that you need to spend the time to FIND THE BEST to take care of you and your family. And as I say, "If we as a country do not buy EXCELLENCE it will cease to exist."
Why would I take a sizeable amount of money out of my savings account to hire the best surgeon when I can be treated by a local surgeon for a fraction of the cost?
Two reasons: 1.Because I always try to walk the talk and 2. Because I am worth it.
I Met the Man in the AD
Susan and I frequently walk around our new hometown of Saratoga Springs so that we can get to know the people in town. We passed a small woman's store on Broadway and my wife commented that she liked a purse hanging in the window.
Susan recently went to visit her family and some friends in Buffalo and I walked into the Speck's Boutique to look at the purse that Susan admired. To my surprise the purse was not expensive and I made the purchase rather quickly. While I was paying for my purchase, I was chatting with the owner and told her that I had a new dental practice around the corner and gave her my card. She looked at my card and said, "BenjaminSmile" I have seen your ads on TV and now I have met you.
A few weeks later Susan was back at Speck's for some gloves and the owner told me that she had Tweeted about me saying that she had 'met the man in the ad.'
It really is a small world.
Susan recently went to visit her family and some friends in Buffalo and I walked into the Speck's Boutique to look at the purse that Susan admired. To my surprise the purse was not expensive and I made the purchase rather quickly. While I was paying for my purchase, I was chatting with the owner and told her that I had a new dental practice around the corner and gave her my card. She looked at my card and said, "BenjaminSmile" I have seen your ads on TV and now I have met you.
A few weeks later Susan was back at Speck's for some gloves and the owner told me that she had Tweeted about me saying that she had 'met the man in the ad.'
It really is a small world.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
My Most Honored Possession
When I was about 10 years old I was an incredible Yankee fan. I knew all the members of the team, their batting averages and how many errors they made...Not at all unusual for boys my age.
One day my Father came home with a baseball signed by my hero, Mickey Mantle. My Dad knew someone who knew someone and that is how I got the ball. For more than 50 years this baseball sat in my draw or in my safe never seeing the light of day.
After my Father passed away in 2002, my Mickey Mantle ball became less and less important to me and I made the decision to give the ball to one of our favorite patients. He and his children love the Yankees and I knew that my most honored possession would be well taken care of for eternity. Six months ago I gave him the ball and just asked him to take care of it.
Possessions and 'THINGS' are becoming less and less important to me as I get older.
I think this is just part of getting older...
One day my Father came home with a baseball signed by my hero, Mickey Mantle. My Dad knew someone who knew someone and that is how I got the ball. For more than 50 years this baseball sat in my draw or in my safe never seeing the light of day.
After my Father passed away in 2002, my Mickey Mantle ball became less and less important to me and I made the decision to give the ball to one of our favorite patients. He and his children love the Yankees and I knew that my most honored possession would be well taken care of for eternity. Six months ago I gave him the ball and just asked him to take care of it.
Possessions and 'THINGS' are becoming less and less important to me as I get older.
I think this is just part of getting older...
A Larger Audience
I am quite well known on the ACE dental forum which is primarily an American dental forum but there are many international members as well. The vast majority of dentists who are ACE members do not show their clinical cases to the group. Showing one's work can be a terrifying experience because a dentist is exposing their clincal weakness to a very large group of dentists.
I have never been shy about posting my work for both positive and negative comments.I have spent decades studying and learning my craft and invested a few million dollars in the process.
Did I pursue excellence to become wealthy? Never even entered my mind as I spent thousands of hours refining my techniques. My journey towards excellence was really the path to become a better dentist in order to take care of my patients.
I was recently asked to send examples of my work and some photos of my new office to a prosthodontist in Atlanta who was taking a trip to India to teach some courses. This evening, he sent me the following email:
Your work is marvelous and your office photos blew away all the young Dentists in Mumbai India...now they all know you by name.!!
I am so honored to be held in high esteem by my colleagues. This is far more important than money. It is about who I am as a person and now dentists around the world have heard of Dr. Benjamin.
I have never been shy about posting my work for both positive and negative comments.I have spent decades studying and learning my craft and invested a few million dollars in the process.
Did I pursue excellence to become wealthy? Never even entered my mind as I spent thousands of hours refining my techniques. My journey towards excellence was really the path to become a better dentist in order to take care of my patients.
I was recently asked to send examples of my work and some photos of my new office to a prosthodontist in Atlanta who was taking a trip to India to teach some courses. This evening, he sent me the following email:
Your work is marvelous and your office photos blew away all the young Dentists in Mumbai India...now they all know you by name.!!
I am so honored to be held in high esteem by my colleagues. This is far more important than money. It is about who I am as a person and now dentists around the world have heard of Dr. Benjamin.
A New Member of Our Team
As you know, it is a rare event to have a new staff member in my office. The last time this happened, Mr. Clinton was President and the world had never heard of an iPod.
Last month Trish joined our team as one of our hygienist when Leslie retired after 26years. Trish has been a hygienist in Saratoga for the last 17 years and is well known both in her capacity as a hygienist and as a member of many of the community organizations such as The Saratoga Chamber of Commerce and The Rotary.
We are indeed fortunate to have Trish join our team.
Last month Trish joined our team as one of our hygienist when Leslie retired after 26years. Trish has been a hygienist in Saratoga for the last 17 years and is well known both in her capacity as a hygienist and as a member of many of the community organizations such as The Saratoga Chamber of Commerce and The Rotary.
We are indeed fortunate to have Trish join our team.
It Is Wonderful
Closing our Troy office after 31 years was not an easy thing to do. Many of my long time patients assumed that I was a very busy dentist but were shocked when I informed them otherwise. There was a great deal of hesitancy to commit to travelling to our new office if and when the office closed in Troy.
I am thrilled and delighted to tell you that the overwhelming majority of my Troy patients have decided to join us in our new office. Life is about trying to have as many 'win-win' situations as we possibly can. My Troy patients strongly believe that I care about them and want to take care of them just as I have for the past 31 years.
The old style doctor-patient relationship was the ultimate in 'win-win' relationships.
To my Troy patients: Thank you for permitting me and my team the privilege of taking care of you.
I am thrilled and delighted to tell you that the overwhelming majority of my Troy patients have decided to join us in our new office. Life is about trying to have as many 'win-win' situations as we possibly can. My Troy patients strongly believe that I care about them and want to take care of them just as I have for the past 31 years.
The old style doctor-patient relationship was the ultimate in 'win-win' relationships.
To my Troy patients: Thank you for permitting me and my team the privilege of taking care of you.
Friday, November 5, 2010
The Beautiful Smile
We hear the word 'BONDING' all the time in dentistry and most of the time we think of ugly, brown stained teeth placed by old Doc Jones. Bonding means that we get 'something' (either porcelain, a glass, or resin) to adhere to teeth.
The art of direct bonding is similar to a master woodworker or a master mason. Yes anyone can bond to teeth or place some molding but only the true artisan creates beauty.
In the above photos, my patient hardly shows any teeth when she smiles and she was very self conscious about this as she became older. She may BE older but she doesn't want to LOOK older. I bonded 7 upper front teeth WITHOUT REMOVING ANY TOOTH STRUCTURE. You could never tell but the upper front tooth ON YOUR RIGHT is totally a natural tooth.
Isn't it wonderful that we are able to fix teeth without taking away ANY TOOTH STRUCTURE and in such a manner that it matches the natural tooth PERFECTLY. How is this possible??? Education, talent, skill and practice,practice, practice.
Dr. Newton Fahl, the undesputed BEST direct bonding dentist in the world has taught me how to perfectly match teeth. And for an old guy...I am a pretty good student.
Please select the people that take care of you and your family carefully. It is how you will save your teeth.
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