Dental Greed?

[DrMarx]

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So, I've been working at a multispecialty practice as a dental assistant for about a year now. I do it all, but sometimes I go into work and they literally triple book me with third molar extractions and implants. In addition, it seems that the dentists at the practice only do what's best for their wallets. It's absurd, I asked a GP dentist at my work about it and he said that's just how it is. I sort of got the impression that student loans are just so high, they literally just cram in patients regardless of how they feel just because of the income. Is this dentistry everywhere, or is it just where I work? I'm sort of losing hope in this profession, and due to my work I already switched prospective careers. Any input would be nice.

 

[Firm]

That's working for the man. He'll work you as hard as you let him.

 

[Saddleshoes]

I asked a GP dentist at my work about it and he said that's just how it is. I sort of got the impression that student loans are just so high, they literally just cram in patients regardless of how they feel just because of the income. .

That's the way it works when you sell your soul to the devil to pay off student loans.

 

[Newgoalsdentdoc]

Not all dentists are like this. Please believe it. There are a lot of good dental practitioners out there. Money is not the priority for those of us who really care about our patients. Don't allow this office to be the "example" of dentistry.

 

[DaleDoback]

So, I've been working at a multispecialty practice as a dental assistant for about a year now. I do it all, but sometimes I go into work and they literally triple book me with third molar extractions and implants. In addition, it seems that the dentists at the practice only do what's best for their wallets. It's absurd, I asked a GP dentist at my work about it and he said that's just how it is. I sort of got the impression that student loans are just so high, they literally just cram in patients regardless of how they feel just because of the income. Is this dentistry everywhere, or is it just where I work? I'm sort of losing hope in this profession, and due to my work I already switched prospective careers. Any input would be nice.

They triple book you to see more patients throughout the day? You're so mistreated. Sorry you switched careers. Hope you find something you don't have to work very hard at.

As a dental assistant, you can't say they "only do what's best for their wallets". You don't even know the options. Sorry, but you don't get any sympathy from me.

 

[HupHolland]

This is definitely not true for most dentists. It's more common in corporate and multi-specialty practices. The family practice model still exists and you can do very well by treating patients right and doing procedures that make you happy. I'm a year out of residency, work 4 days/week, see patients every 30min-1.5 hrs depending on procedure, am only double booked for emergencies and adjustments - and am doing very well as a first year associate.

Hup

 

[charlestweed]

OP, have you ever wondered why your boss has too many patients? What make so many people choose his practice over the other dental practices in the area? Perhaps, he and the in-house specialists, who work for him, are great clinicians and have done great work for their patients. Perhaps, your boss has offered things that other offices don't do such as good quality dental care at affordable fee. Your boss wouldn't have such a busy practice like what you described, if he and his associate doctors repeatedly did poor substandard dentistry on their patients.

 

[beannaithe]

Was the doctor you talked to about his job an associate? If so, it's entirely possible he goes with the flow to keep his job. As an associate, there's an added pressure to tow the line or you might find yourself in the unemployment line. Been there, done that.

Every practice is different, based on the philosophy and owner's preferences. I work in a multiple doctor practice, run two chairs, and work with two very highly trained assistants. We delegate what they're allowed to do (EFDA can place resins in my state.) I have a staggered book for most of my schedule. In my office, it really is due to the fact that they are faaaaaaar too busy to single book. Right now, I'm booked out until mid-June as the newbie and the owner is booked into August. Only way patients get an appointment earlier is if there's a cancellation.

But your office certainly not the norm...

 

[DrMarx]

Well, I don't want to get into an argument on if I'm mistreated or not. All I'll say is that the dentists at my practice really only do care about money, you can ask anybody in my office and they would probably side with me. The dentists immediately spring for the most pricey procedure, offer tx when the patients don't even need it, and for one dentist most certainly doesn't do quality work. I know I'm a dental assistant, but I know how to diagnose pts when it comes to x-rays. (Almost 100% accurate on diagnoses) We even have patients waiting in the waiting room for well over an hour in some cases. Why do they keep coming back? I have no idea. However, most patients who come to see our OS usually never come back again and numerous patients have went elsewhere for dental work since the new owner has taken over the practice. If my job wasn't so convenient in regards to scheduling my work hours, I would have left months ago. However, I'm never lucky lol

 

[Quattro DMD]

Well, I don't want to get into an argument on if I'm mistreated or not. All I'll say is that the dentists at my practice really only do care about money, you can ask anybody in my office and they would probably side with me. The dentists immediately spring for the most pricey procedure, offer tx when the patients don't even need it, and for one dentist most certainly doesn't do quality work. I know I'm a dental assistant, but I know how to diagnose pts when it comes to x-rays. (Almost 100% accurate on diagnoses) We even have patients waiting in the waiting room for well over an hour in some cases. Why do they keep coming back? I have no idea. However, most patients who come to see our OS usually never come back again and numerous patients have went elsewhere for dental work since the new owner has taken over the practice. If my job wasn't so convenient in regards to scheduling my work hours, I would have left months ago. However, I'm never lucky lol

You can diagnose? Really? So you can look at a periapical radiolucency or radioopacity and provide a list of differential diagnoses? Well it's a good thing you're not going to dental school since you already know it all. And FYI, hygienists, who are way more qualified to making such statements, are not even legal able to diagnose, not even periodontal disease!

Bottom line is that you're working in private practice. Dentists need to cover their overhead/expenses. There are differences in dentists' treatment philosophies. Some are more conservative than others. One dentist might see a stained composite with a deficient margin and place a "watch" on it, while another dentist might replace the whole thing.

I'm sure your dentists are aggressive in the way that they practice and treat patients. However for you sit there and act like you know it all is ridiculous.

 

[jwdent]

Well, I don't want to get into an argument on if I'm mistreated or not. All I'll say is that the dentists at my practice really only do care about money, you can ask anybody in my office and they would probably side with me. The dentists immediately spring for the most pricey procedure, offer tx when the patients don't even need it, and for one dentist most certainly doesn't do quality work. I know I'm a dental assistant, but I know how to diagnose pts when it comes to x-rays. (Almost 100% accurate on diagnoses) We even have patients waiting in the waiting room for well over an hour in some cases. Why do they keep coming back? I have no idea. However, most patients who come to see our OS usually never come back again and numerous patients have went elsewhere for dental work since the new owner has taken over the practice. If my job wasn't so convenient in regards to scheduling my work hours, I would have left months ago. However, I'm never lucky lol

I do not see anything wrong with a dentist offering a treatment if it is not needed. That to me is just a dentist doing his job. A dentist should discuss all potential work with his patients whether it is need or not, and educate the patients enough to make the decision. A dentist should strive to provide optimum oral health and this may involve treatment that is recommended but not necessarily needed. Of course the problem arises when the dentists tells the patient something is needed when it is not.

 

[Jeremy713]

Lol DrMarx, Do you know the difference between a periapical cementoma, or condensing osteitis, or focal cemento osseus dysplasia? how about even an ondontogenic keratocyst, dentigerous cyst, or a residual cyst or a lateal periodontal cyst. Do you know what osteomyelitis looks like? would you be able to tell if someone had an osteosarcoma that had the potential to kill the patient? Or would you just say, oh that looks funny. "They have a radiolucency under their tooth. Guess I'll let the dentist know it needs a root canal." Yeah 95% of the time you found a periapical cyst/granuloma. Anyone can see that. But what about the 5% of the time you miss it. And it doesn't resolve with root canal therapy. Would you just shrug your shoulders or would you know what to do next.

 

[AU07DMD]

Lol DrMarx, Do you know the difference between a periapical cementoma, or condensing osteitis, or focal cemento osseus dysplasia? how about even an ondontogenic keratocyst, dentigerous cyst, or a residual cyst or a lateal periodontal cyst. Do you know what osteomyelitis looks like? would you be able to tell if someone had an osteosarcoma that had the potential to kill the patient? Or would you just say, oh that looks funny. "They have a radiolucency under their tooth. Guess I'll let the dentist know it needs a root canal." Yeah 95% of the time you found a periapical cyst/granuloma. Anyone can see that. But what about the 5% of the time you miss it. And it doesn't resolve with root canal therapy. Would you just shrug your shoulders or would you know what to do next.

Pull it.