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Hello David,
Thank you for taking some time out of
your schedule to talk to us.
What
brought you to this conference?
I'm currently in the early planning
stages for a non-profit foundation dealing with pediatric dentistry and
this conference has given me some remarkable insights into the European
dental system and preventive care for children.
What made you become a dentist?
Actually, this was all my mothers
fault. She noticed early on that I was very good with my hands and so
when the time came to decide which way to go after college, she always
encouraged me to get good grades and work hard on my term papers to be
able to study dentistry. I think all she wanted was a dentist in the
family.
And did you follow her advice?
Well, obviously I did. I finished
college College of Charleston and continued my education there, at the
Medical University of SC where I graduated as a Doctor of Dental
Medicine in 1985.
What do you like most about being a
dentist?
As corny as it might sound, I love all
of it. I consider myself blessed to wake up in the morning to work in a
profession I truly love and I am able to help my patients. Dentistry to
me is like a canvas to an artist. I enjoy the creative process of being
a dentist, the craftsmanship and the challenges that I have to face
every day. It’s always new, never boring and it continuously
challenges me to be on top of my game.
Please describe for our readers
the two most important customer service concepts you've implemented in
your practice.
Number 1: We Listen! Oftentimes
patients feel rushed and ignored when they go to a doctor's office? We
understand that feeling. That's why, at our office, we make it a daily
commitment to listen to our patients needs. Come and visit us, I think
you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Number 2: “We are gentle!”
The most important issue in our approach to
dentistry is gentleness. The main factor is taking time to be gentle
and careful. We're not under any constraints to rush through a certain
quota of patients in order to meet our "production goal". We like to
take our time, do a terrific job on your teeth, and get to know you as
a patient and as a friend. It's important that you, as the client,
have the ultimate decision to choose to (1) do nothing, (2) to do some
of the dentistry we recommend, or (3) to complete all of the fine
dentistry that we feel is ideal for you!"
David, I know you are happily
married and a father of three. I assume my next question is one, you
have asked yourself a few times over the years. Many children
are frightened to go to the dentist. What should parents do to reduce
the anxiety and the fear in their kids?
My best advice is very simple:
“Don’t wait until it hurts!” in other words, bring
children for preventive care, let them experience a visit to the
dentist as something positive, non-threatening and even humorous or
entertaining. Try, under all circumstances, to be positive about it.
Under no circumstances relate to your own experiences as painful,
hurting or even nightmarish.
That’s a good point right
there, David. It’s not only the children that are afraid of the
visit to the dentist. There are many adults that freak just thinking
about it. How does your practice deal with fear in adult
patients?
First of all my staff has received
specialized training for situations like the one you described. We are
prepared to treat patients, adult or juvenile, with any fear level. The
main tools we use to overcome these fears are different sedation
methods, reducing anxiety and limiting pain to a point where the
patient may not even remember going to the dentist. We have pills that
the patient can take while the are still at home and this will help to
get him “through the door”.
We can follow up with conscious
sedation methods that are safe and very effective and oftentimes help
patients to overcome their anxieties for good. We had one patient who
used the full “anxiety package” once and decided after
that, that visiting the dentist wasn’t half as bad as she
thought. She never needed any special sedation again.
“Going to the dentist is
way too expensive!” – how do you respond to a remark like
that?
Once again, it’s all about
timing. If you want to avoid high dental costs, make dental hygiene and
preventive visits to your dentist the cornerstones of your dental
routine.
Preventive dentistry is not costly.
Just look at our EasySmile
program. Get all the preventive treatments for a year, for less
than a cup of coffee a day. That’s a small price to pay knowing
you can avoid high bills and unforeseen problems in the future. It’s
sad to see that some people invest more money in having their car
detailed than into their dental hygiene and prevention.
What is your take on the new wave
of “dental makeovers”?
Well, what you see on TV is usually
the top of the line, A+ treatment. In a poker round you would say:
“I’m all in!” That being said, targeted dental
makeovers are a viable option for many
patients, because they can make a big difference in the life of the
individual person. If you look into cosmetic procedures like veneers,
bleaching or orthodontics there are numerous financing options
available that allow almost everyone to pursue this route.
You told us about your love for
dentistry. Here’s a follow-up question for you. If you could take
some time off to learn something new in the field of dentistry, what
topic would you like to pursue?
I plan to learn more in the area of
dental implants. Implants have evolved from an experimental procedure
to a fully recognized and predictable treatment option. Although there
are many ways to replace crowns on teeth, only dental implants can
replace the entire tooth, including both crown and root. Dental
implants look, feel and function like your own natural teeth, and they
eliminate the pain and discomfort of removable full or partial dentures.
Last question David. What does a
“work-loving” dentist do for relaxation?
I know you’ll laugh when I tell
you – it’s such a cliché. I love to play golf. But I
played golf even before I became a dentist. I actually thought at one
time I could become a pro, but after Tiger Woods entered the game I
decided to follow my moms advice (laughs).
Thank you for this interview.
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