Would you switch to a different dentist?

Question

My dentist does excellent work but always wants his way and will NEVER listen to what his patients want. He recommends the most expensive things and won't listen when his patients tell him they can't afford it. He simply tells them to start saving their money, and then he walks away. He doesn't want to hear what you have to say about having financial difficulties or other debts to pay. Should they grin and bear it and go into further debt or look for a different dentist?

Answer 1

there are usually other options when it comes to fixing teeth, but they will only be temporary and cheaper so you will probably end up paying more for the cheaper stuff in the long run. If you have a large filling and he is suggesting a crown go for the crown, because you are going to end up with a crown eventually why pay for the same tooth twice. You can always go to another dentist and get a second opnion

Answer 2

Well, it sounds like somebody has a few ego issues. I worked for a dentist for a really long time, and they can be quite overbearing at times. There are always cheaper ways of doing things, it may not be the longest lasting solution in the Dentist's opinion, but still just as good. For instance, many dentist's will reccommend crowns be put in when a tooth is broken down, however, depending on which tooth it is, and how broken down it is, sometimes crowns really aren't that necessary. My advice is to evaluate the tooth, use your common sense, ask yourself things like, do I bite on this tooth when I am eating?, how much pressure is placed on it?, how broken down is it?, What are the chances something may go wrong if I go with the cheaper method? These are all questions Dentist's are generally to busy to care about. You need to be informed about services a dentist can offer you, that way you won't be so vunerable when he suggests doing things his way.

Answer 3

It's good that you care, have you discussed this with co workers? Sometimes it helps to get back up if you enjoy working for him, admire his work and seriously want to change things. Otherwise you may find yourself looking for a new job before your ready. Keep a record of which patients are dissatisfied with his behavior that have been dismissed without his “much needed concern.” If they have voiced their complaint, be sure to record it in their chart, let them know you will discuss the problem with him personally. Everyone at the office needs to make him aware of his problem at your next meeting, lunch or whenever the opportunity arises. After a patient and their family leave the practice and requested records to be sent is always a good time. He may dismiss them as unwanted patients if they haven’t been with him for years. If he wants to have a thriving practice respected by his patients, staff and the community, then he should listen to his patients and actually care, not pretend too. Sometimes that takes the dentist having his eyes opened by losing patients, an office intervention or an outside source. It helps to have a loyal staff that respect and support him as well as back up the treatment plan of his patients. It's a shame they don't stress against this arrogant attitude problem most all dentist have while they are in dental school. Instead they leave it to us to either tolerate or fix. Good luck in training him, if you can't fix him, you may have to leave him.

Answer 4

As the patient you have the say in what you want done and what you can afford. I would seek out a different dentist. You are the boss of your body no one else!!

Answer 5

You are paying the bill. If you are not happy with the way he treats you, I would check out another dentist.