I Can't Care More About YOUR Teeth Than You Do

On Wednesday,  one of my new patients referred his significant other to our office because she had a swollen face. The man that referred his girl friend has only been in my office a few times but he already knows that we are serious about providing excellent dental care for our patients...Smart man!!

I examined my swollen patient and took an x-ray to see the extent of the infection and then informed my patient that the tooth required extraction. We then asked my patient if she would like us to get an appointment with one of our oral surgeons so that she would not have to go into the Labor Day Weekend in a crises. We were successful (of course) in scheduling an extraction appointment on Friday which would be sufficient time for the powerful antibiotic to reduce the infection and when I texted my patient at the end of the day, the swelling was beginning to recede.

I had the opportunity to talk to my patient while Donna was scheduling the extraction appointment and the only thing that my patient was concerned about was the cost and does her insurance cover any of the treatment. I was trying to discuss possible treatment ie TEETH and my patient wanted to discuss MONEY.

I have told you many times over the years that money does not motivate me and that I will never propose treatment that enhances my income at your and your teeth's expense. My interest is TEETH and what I can do to maintain or improve your oral health and/or appearance (if that is your concern.)

When a  patient's main or only concern is money or cost, then I will probably not be their dentist. I cannot care more about a patient's teeth than they do. I know you might be thinking that it is fine for a professional to not care about money when money is a concern for many...I understand that. I have spent more money on MY TEETH than anyone that I have ever met or treated so I personally understand how costly treatment can be.

If a patient is ONLY interested in cost and I am ONLY interested in teeth, we cannot have a meeting of the minds and I don't have a problem with this. There IS a dentist for every patient that wants one in New York State...It just might not be me.