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The discussion on the IDF dental forum on the 'rights' of mediocre dentists to be mediocre continues and those dentists rising up to support mediocre dental treatment is deafening.
It is astounding to me that a dentist would go on an international forum DEFENDING mediocrity. The dentist from Pennsylvania stated that we must be accepting of average dentists posting their work so that the below average might see this and 'aspire' to mediocrity.
Oh really???????????????
This is like saying average level athletes have a RIGHT to appear in the Olympics.
Forget the fact that I am a dentist and this is a dental blog. What is happening to our great nation when mediocre is not only tolerated by celebrated?
Mind you...when I posted my comments, it was NOT to criticize the actual treatment of the dentist. It was a gentle reminder that if you are going to show your work to the world, there are acceptable ways to do that ie take one's gloved finger out of the photo by using cheek retractors.
I guess that a patient has a right to select a mediocre physician or dentist but then I wouldn't be their dentist.
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Saturday, August 4, 2012
"In Defense of Mediocrity"
In 1970, Senator Roman L. Hrushka spoke in support of Judge G. Harrold Carswell's nomination to the Supreme Court of the United States. The problem was that the American Bar Association and other legal groups considered the Judge to be mediocre at best but the Senator gave a speech on the floor of the United States Senate supporting Judge Carswell in which he said,
"Even if he were mediocre, there are a lot of mediocre judges and people and lawyers. They are entitled to a little representation, aren't they, and a little chance? We can't have all Brandeises, Frankfurters and Cardozos."
Yesterday, a dentist from Arkansas posted a case that personified mediocrity. The rules of case presentation strongly recommend that you not present a photograph with the dentist's fingers holding up the lips and using cheek retractors is required. The dentist stated that he 'didn't have time to use cheek retractors' (which take approximately 5 seconds to use)and his fingers were fine. Also, his patient had told him that she hated her smile and asked for suggestions so he very marginally improved her smile with a "little reshaping" of her teeth.
Those of you that are my patients or are readers of my blog know how I feel about professionals who are mediocre. When I placed a response to the dentist's case presentation on the dental forum, I gently suggested that he used cheek retractors and he had an obligation to do a direct resin mockup to ACTUALLY show the patient treatment options.
Other dentist were highly insulted that I would be critical of another dentist and posted that I was out of place in my very gentle suggestions. Yes, I am intolerant of mediocre dentist who take patients hard earned money and refuse to do their best.
Senator Hrushka was very wrong, in my opinion, when he stated that mediocrity on the Supreme Court should be acceptable and encouraged.
I will defend your right to Excellence in dental treatment whenever another dentist speaks in support of mediocre dentistry.
"Even if he were mediocre, there are a lot of mediocre judges and people and lawyers. They are entitled to a little representation, aren't they, and a little chance? We can't have all Brandeises, Frankfurters and Cardozos."
Yesterday, a dentist from Arkansas posted a case that personified mediocrity. The rules of case presentation strongly recommend that you not present a photograph with the dentist's fingers holding up the lips and using cheek retractors is required. The dentist stated that he 'didn't have time to use cheek retractors' (which take approximately 5 seconds to use)and his fingers were fine. Also, his patient had told him that she hated her smile and asked for suggestions so he very marginally improved her smile with a "little reshaping" of her teeth.
Those of you that are my patients or are readers of my blog know how I feel about professionals who are mediocre. When I placed a response to the dentist's case presentation on the dental forum, I gently suggested that he used cheek retractors and he had an obligation to do a direct resin mockup to ACTUALLY show the patient treatment options.
Other dentist were highly insulted that I would be critical of another dentist and posted that I was out of place in my very gentle suggestions. Yes, I am intolerant of mediocre dentist who take patients hard earned money and refuse to do their best.
Senator Hrushka was very wrong, in my opinion, when he stated that mediocrity on the Supreme Court should be acceptable and encouraged.
I will defend your right to Excellence in dental treatment whenever another dentist speaks in support of mediocre dentistry.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
The Olympics Select the Best
There is no doubt that virtually every athlete in competition at the London Olympics is in the realm of world class. Competition leaves no doubts about who the best of the best are in each event. Athletes love to compete with each other as a means of rating themselves in the events in which they compete.
Dentist on the other hand, HATE to compete against each other because losing would mean that patients might leave one dentist for another, more competent clinician. And by not competing, it allows each dentist to claim that they are as good as the next dentist in the neighborhood.
In 1999, I entered one of my cases in the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Smile Contest in San Antonio, Texas. My staff an I believed that the results that we achieved for our patient was spectacular and worth showing other dentists what we had accomplished. The cases were shown to independent judges without any indications of which dentists had completed the work and my case was selected as THE BEST IN CLASS for the type of work that we had done. All of the nationally recognized dentists who I had studied with came over to congratulate me on my spectacular achievement and it was at that moment that I became nationally recognized for my work.
Winning the contest was secondary to becoming the first American dentist to attain a Certificate of Proficiency in Esthetic Dentistry from the State University of NY at Buffalo and to date, there are probably fewer than 75 dentists in the country with a University based Certificate and none in the Capital District.
Many patients and dentists believe that all dentists possess the same level of knowledge, skill, talent and passion and that it is way too difficult to find 'the best' dentist even if one exists. The fact is that today it is very easy for one dentist to distinguish him or her self from other dentists.
I won a nationally held contest, I post my work on international dental websites for other dentists to critique, I teach and mentor other dentists and my passion for my work has never been greater.If a patient wants to find a highly proficient dentist, it would be very easy to do.
I love my work and I hope that it shows!
Dentist on the other hand, HATE to compete against each other because losing would mean that patients might leave one dentist for another, more competent clinician. And by not competing, it allows each dentist to claim that they are as good as the next dentist in the neighborhood.
In 1999, I entered one of my cases in the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Smile Contest in San Antonio, Texas. My staff an I believed that the results that we achieved for our patient was spectacular and worth showing other dentists what we had accomplished. The cases were shown to independent judges without any indications of which dentists had completed the work and my case was selected as THE BEST IN CLASS for the type of work that we had done. All of the nationally recognized dentists who I had studied with came over to congratulate me on my spectacular achievement and it was at that moment that I became nationally recognized for my work.
Winning the contest was secondary to becoming the first American dentist to attain a Certificate of Proficiency in Esthetic Dentistry from the State University of NY at Buffalo and to date, there are probably fewer than 75 dentists in the country with a University based Certificate and none in the Capital District.
Many patients and dentists believe that all dentists possess the same level of knowledge, skill, talent and passion and that it is way too difficult to find 'the best' dentist even if one exists. The fact is that today it is very easy for one dentist to distinguish him or her self from other dentists.
I won a nationally held contest, I post my work on international dental websites for other dentists to critique, I teach and mentor other dentists and my passion for my work has never been greater.If a patient wants to find a highly proficient dentist, it would be very easy to do.
I love my work and I hope that it shows!
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
The Ace in the Hole
"Ace in the hole" is an old expression meaning that you have something in reserve just in case you need to get out of a challenging situation.
I saw a patient today who I treated 11 years ago when I virtually rebuilt her entire front tooth with resin bonding. Today she presented with the resin veneer in a plastic bag as it had come off of her tooth. These restorations are not meant for long term use and are generally used when a patient can't afford a crown.
I meticulously cleaned the resin veneer and the remaining natural tooth and carefully rebonded the restoration back onto the tooth and who knows, the patient may keep the restoration for a quarter of a century.
At the end of the appointment, my patient tells me that she has her routine dentistry done by her "REGULAR DENTIST." I always chuckle to myself when patients tell me that they only come to me when there they have a challenging dental problem. Some people keep me as their "Ace in the hole" instead of their regular dentist.
I AM a 'regular' dentist. lol
I saw a patient today who I treated 11 years ago when I virtually rebuilt her entire front tooth with resin bonding. Today she presented with the resin veneer in a plastic bag as it had come off of her tooth. These restorations are not meant for long term use and are generally used when a patient can't afford a crown.
I meticulously cleaned the resin veneer and the remaining natural tooth and carefully rebonded the restoration back onto the tooth and who knows, the patient may keep the restoration for a quarter of a century.
At the end of the appointment, my patient tells me that she has her routine dentistry done by her "REGULAR DENTIST." I always chuckle to myself when patients tell me that they only come to me when there they have a challenging dental problem. Some people keep me as their "Ace in the hole" instead of their regular dentist.
I AM a 'regular' dentist. lol
Sunday, July 29, 2012
It's about the Little Things
Susan and I were sitting in a Starbucks in the Charlotte Airport enjoying coffee and this young man in his 20s comes into the Starbucks to take a napkin (He didn't buy anything.) While walking to the back of the store, he knocks into a glass vase used to make a pitcher of iced coffee and it fell to the floor and shattered. He takes a napkin and tells the cashier that he was sorry and leaves.
I guess this young man never heard the old phrase, "You break it and you buy it." In the old days a person would have gone up to the cashier with his wallet in hand ready to pay for the item that he broke. Many times the shopkeeper would accept the apology but refuse the money.
Something is not right here...Do folks no longer believe in "Do the Right Thing?"
I am sorry but I DO BELIEVE in doing the right thing. I will never hurt you to earn more money nor will I destroy your teeth to increase my income.
Medicine and Dentistry are in decline and it has NOTHING to do with "Obamacare."
It has to do with Doctors, Patients and Insurance Companies only thinking about the money and in the long run...we all lose.
Please think about this! You can lose your life and save money and you can destroy your teeth by trying to go to 'participating dentists.'
As always...It it YOUR choice.
I guess this young man never heard the old phrase, "You break it and you buy it." In the old days a person would have gone up to the cashier with his wallet in hand ready to pay for the item that he broke. Many times the shopkeeper would accept the apology but refuse the money.
Something is not right here...Do folks no longer believe in "Do the Right Thing?"
I am sorry but I DO BELIEVE in doing the right thing. I will never hurt you to earn more money nor will I destroy your teeth to increase my income.
Medicine and Dentistry are in decline and it has NOTHING to do with "Obamacare."
It has to do with Doctors, Patients and Insurance Companies only thinking about the money and in the long run...we all lose.
Please think about this! You can lose your life and save money and you can destroy your teeth by trying to go to 'participating dentists.'
As always...It it YOUR choice.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
It is What I Believe
President Harry S. Truman said:
“A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities and an optimist is one who makes opportunities of his difficulties.”
I have always been an optimist who strongly believes that things can ALWAYS be better. THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH MAKING MONEY. It has everything to do with having a passion for striving for excellence (a phrase that Colin Powell uses in his new book.)
36 years ago last week I was pinned between two parked cars and my leg was amputated and thankfully reattached. (My lifelong gratitude to the late Dr. Roger D. Seibel). I never asked "Why Me?" because I knew that it was not a question that had an answer. Instead, I asked myself, "How can we recover from this and get back to dental school so that I could graduate with my class?" My injury was one of the most positive experiences in my life because it gave me the knowledge that I was 'made of the right stuff' and could conquer any challenge that was presented to me.
When my practice suffered in July of 2007 as a result of the start of the RECESSION (and after a record breaking first 6 months of the year) I again did not ask, "Why Me?" Tricia, my office manager of 30 years, and I pondered how we would move forward with our mission to provide superb clinical dentistry for those patients that wanted it. We found a way to turn the devistating effect of the Recession into an incrediblely positive experience by moving our office (and my home) to Saratoga Springs.
There is little that cannot be accomplished with creative thinking, hard work, passion, hope and prayer.
I will never give up hope of trying to become one of the best clinical dentists in the world because I am an optimist and I owe it to YOU.
“A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities and an optimist is one who makes opportunities of his difficulties.”
I have always been an optimist who strongly believes that things can ALWAYS be better. THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH MAKING MONEY. It has everything to do with having a passion for striving for excellence (a phrase that Colin Powell uses in his new book.)
36 years ago last week I was pinned between two parked cars and my leg was amputated and thankfully reattached. (My lifelong gratitude to the late Dr. Roger D. Seibel). I never asked "Why Me?" because I knew that it was not a question that had an answer. Instead, I asked myself, "How can we recover from this and get back to dental school so that I could graduate with my class?" My injury was one of the most positive experiences in my life because it gave me the knowledge that I was 'made of the right stuff' and could conquer any challenge that was presented to me.
When my practice suffered in July of 2007 as a result of the start of the RECESSION (and after a record breaking first 6 months of the year) I again did not ask, "Why Me?" Tricia, my office manager of 30 years, and I pondered how we would move forward with our mission to provide superb clinical dentistry for those patients that wanted it. We found a way to turn the devistating effect of the Recession into an incrediblely positive experience by moving our office (and my home) to Saratoga Springs.
There is little that cannot be accomplished with creative thinking, hard work, passion, hope and prayer.
I will never give up hope of trying to become one of the best clinical dentists in the world because I am an optimist and I owe it to YOU.
Saturday, July 21, 2012
A Great Day at Work
For the record...I made NO money yesterday even though I worked from 8AM to 3:30 PM. Fridays are an interesting day and either I have a large, complex case or I do some lab work and go home early.
But yesterday was different.
Dr. Steven Messing, a periodontist, and I performed some interdisciplinary treatment for our mutual patient in my office. The periodontal surgery and restorative dentistry took about 1.5 hours and was a complete success.
My next patient is extremely challenging and I am working out the details in his mouth so that we have little chance of failure.
Dr. Banchs then asked me to see his Mother to place some fillings in the root canals that he was just completing before she returns home to Venezuala.
I finished my day with a two and a half hour mentoring session with a local dentist who is trying her best to learn the complex aspects of providing dental treatment. I feel that helping other dentists reach their next level of excellence is one of the most valuable things that I can do with my 35 years of experience.
Susan and I then went for coffee at Uncommon Grounds at about 4:15 and at 5:30 we joined Dr. Banchs at the Adelphi Hotel for a glass of wine.
What a fabulous day! And I didn't earn a penny.
But yesterday was different.
Dr. Steven Messing, a periodontist, and I performed some interdisciplinary treatment for our mutual patient in my office. The periodontal surgery and restorative dentistry took about 1.5 hours and was a complete success.
My next patient is extremely challenging and I am working out the details in his mouth so that we have little chance of failure.
Dr. Banchs then asked me to see his Mother to place some fillings in the root canals that he was just completing before she returns home to Venezuala.
I finished my day with a two and a half hour mentoring session with a local dentist who is trying her best to learn the complex aspects of providing dental treatment. I feel that helping other dentists reach their next level of excellence is one of the most valuable things that I can do with my 35 years of experience.
Susan and I then went for coffee at Uncommon Grounds at about 4:15 and at 5:30 we joined Dr. Banchs at the Adelphi Hotel for a glass of wine.
What a fabulous day! And I didn't earn a penny.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Traveling to Find the Best
When I needed shoulder surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff, I went to Dr.David Altchek in New York City because he is renown for his shoulder surgery. I will again seek to have my knee replaced in New York City by Dr. Thomas Sculco because he is among the best at performing knee replacement.
Three weeks ago, I treated two patients from Boston, MA, one patient from Manhattan and another from Syracuse, NY. All of these patients were undergoing ROUTINE dental treatment and not the cosmetic dentistry that I have become recognized for.
Intelligent people understand that when it comes to their health, that they will do whatever it takes to find physicians and dentists that practice EXCELLENCE.
Mediocrity is everywhere...Excellence will take some effort to find.
Three weeks ago, I treated two patients from Boston, MA, one patient from Manhattan and another from Syracuse, NY. All of these patients were undergoing ROUTINE dental treatment and not the cosmetic dentistry that I have become recognized for.
Intelligent people understand that when it comes to their health, that they will do whatever it takes to find physicians and dentists that practice EXCELLENCE.
Mediocrity is everywhere...Excellence will take some effort to find.
The Best In The World
The best in the world have one thing in common: they are experts at failure.
Roger Federer just won Wimbledon at the British Tennis Open. No one that knows tennis ever thought that Federer could regain his masterful tennis game and yet today, he won and regained the #1 player status in tennis.
Michael Jordon, Tiger Woods, Newton Fahl, Francisco Banchs and I are or were trying to be among the best in the world and yet we have all failed over and over.
What makes us different is that 99% of people will never TRY to be among the best in the world and therefore, they are NOT experts at failure.
Another difference is that those of us who want to be among the best NEVER STOP TRYING. Education, Passion and Persistence are truly the characteristics that separate those that succeed at a very high level and those that remain mediocre.
Do you really want to have your dentistry performed by someone who will never try to be excellent?
Only you can answer that question.
Roger Federer just won Wimbledon at the British Tennis Open. No one that knows tennis ever thought that Federer could regain his masterful tennis game and yet today, he won and regained the #1 player status in tennis.
Michael Jordon, Tiger Woods, Newton Fahl, Francisco Banchs and I are or were trying to be among the best in the world and yet we have all failed over and over.
What makes us different is that 99% of people will never TRY to be among the best in the world and therefore, they are NOT experts at failure.
Another difference is that those of us who want to be among the best NEVER STOP TRYING. Education, Passion and Persistence are truly the characteristics that separate those that succeed at a very high level and those that remain mediocre.
Do you really want to have your dentistry performed by someone who will never try to be excellent?
Only you can answer that question.
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Joey and Alvin
Susan's family went to Dr. Joseph Accardo of Niagara Falls, NY for their dentistry.(Dr Accardo helped me to gain admission to dental school which is why I am your dentist today.)Joey, as my Mother-in-law used to call Dr. Accardo, was her childhood friend growing up in Niagara Falls. My family went to Dr. Alvin Benerof of Far Rockaway, NY for our dentistry. My Father was Dr. Benerof's first patient in his new dental practice after World War II.
There was an incredible amount of trust and respect for Joey and Alvin because they were our dentist and because we KNEW that they would never hurt us or mistreat us just to make money. Each of our families went to these dentists for more than THIRTY YEARS and we knew these dentists, they knew us and we all actually LIKED them.
Fast forward thirty five years and I can tell you how much has changed in the doctor/patient relationship. I am blessed with an incredible amount of patient loyalty but I AM THE EXCEPTION. The only question that the majority of dental patients ask is, "Is this covered by my insurance." Sadly to say, that is not the most intelligent question that a patient can ask the person taking care of them.
Perhaps a patient would be better served by asking the following:
1. "Is the treatment that you are suggesting the BEST POSSIBLE TREATMENT?"
2. "What would you do if I was your wife?"
3. "Are you the best possible person to do the root canal or might I be better off if you referred me to a specialist?
Our families trusted Joey and Alvin because we KNEW that they would do their best to take care of us. How many patients believe that their best interest is being served by the physicians and dentists that take care of them?
Few patients fundamentally trust the people that take care of them because everything has become about the money.
HOW SAD!!!
There was an incredible amount of trust and respect for Joey and Alvin because they were our dentist and because we KNEW that they would never hurt us or mistreat us just to make money. Each of our families went to these dentists for more than THIRTY YEARS and we knew these dentists, they knew us and we all actually LIKED them.
Fast forward thirty five years and I can tell you how much has changed in the doctor/patient relationship. I am blessed with an incredible amount of patient loyalty but I AM THE EXCEPTION. The only question that the majority of dental patients ask is, "Is this covered by my insurance." Sadly to say, that is not the most intelligent question that a patient can ask the person taking care of them.
Perhaps a patient would be better served by asking the following:
1. "Is the treatment that you are suggesting the BEST POSSIBLE TREATMENT?"
2. "What would you do if I was your wife?"
3. "Are you the best possible person to do the root canal or might I be better off if you referred me to a specialist?
Our families trusted Joey and Alvin because we KNEW that they would do their best to take care of us. How many patients believe that their best interest is being served by the physicians and dentists that take care of them?
Few patients fundamentally trust the people that take care of them because everything has become about the money.
HOW SAD!!!
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