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Word of Mouth Future Dentistry EDITORIAL By Robert L. Ibsen,D.D.S.,F.A.G.D.Bankers Save Money, Dentists Save Teeth What is the function of a banker? To save and safeguard a customer’s money. What is the function of a dentist? To save teeth and protect a patient’s dental health. Some dentists get these roles mixed up and wind up paying more attention to a patient's financial situation than they do to safeguard that individual’s dental health. The world is realising the highest level of prosperity in the history of mankind and huge sums are being expended by consumers for computers, video games, VCRs, entertainment, clothing, jewellery and cars. Purchases are being made at an unprecedented rate. Consumers often borrow money to buy these highly desirable, but frequently unnecessary, toys. In the meantime many dentists go blissfully along placing amalgams in their patient’s mouths, the same kind of restorations that were placed fifty or more years ago. These were the kinds of restoration that were generally used during periods of recession or depression. Those same dentists complain that there are too many dentists today and not enough disease to keep them all busy. Few days elapse when a practising dentist doesn’t observe a cuspal fracture next to a silver amalgam restoration of a tooth, substantiating the fact that teeth are fragile and that amalgam isn't a final or perfect answer. Amalgam and posterior composite should be regarded as long term intermediate temporaries. Dentists that routinely place amalgams without advising a patient that a three quarter crown would be more durable and would prevent cuspal fracture in the future, appear to be paying more attention to the patient’s pocketbook than the patient's health. A dentist certainly isn’t taught to concentrate on the financial aspect in dental school, just the dental aspect. A tooth is a vital part of the body and should be safeguarded at whatever cost. I wonder how many people would go to a physician who might decide to shave off one-fourth the length of a little finger rather than treat an infection? Physicians generally go to great lengths to re-attach a part of the body when severed in an accident. Why should a dentist suggest less than the best solution... to protect and preserve teeth? It is inconceivable that a person whose leg, finger or other vital part has been saved by a caring physician would have debated paring the cost of that medical doctor’s effort and choosing the alternative. It’s equally incomprehensible that any dentist should feel a patient will quibble over cost when it comes to the best restorative alternative for a tooth. One part of the body is as vital to that patient as another. Every dentist should rededicate their attention to saving patient’s teeth- an irreplaceable part of the body - and let that patient’s banker concentrate on their financial status. Let the banks keep the money. Let the dentists keep the teeth. Once patients are made to understand exactly what is involved in their choice, we are certain they’ll opt for the best filling. Amalgam restorations are of little value. Gold and porcelain are what every dentist should be offering all of his patients. Dentistry should begin to pay less attention to second guessing a patient’s ability or willingness to pay and concentrate more on protecting that individual’s health. The banker doesn’t focus his attention on a customer’s teeth! |
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