Daniel Balaze: October 2007 Archives
It may seem straight forward, but it has taken some time for me to master the art of answering the question, "how much will it cost?"
Yes, we have a fee schedule. And, yes, I can look up the cost of any procedure completed in the clinic. In most cases [75-95%], I will be right-on. The other 5%, however, I'm not comfortable trying to anticipate the exact dollar amount. So, I've learned to respond, "I don't know right now."
I take my time when treatment planning, and in many cases arrive at a different treatment option than I first thought as optimal. Many times, my preceptors introduce concepts and considerations I haven't had experience with. Therefore, I schedule another appointment to discuss treatment options and cost. This way I give myself time to think through all of the options, and also save myself from giving the impression of being indecisive and unreliable [among other things, I'm sure].
Here's the hypothetical situation: You have had much dental work completed over the last 20 years of your life; several [7] crowns, a 3-unit bridge, root canal therapy, fillings, etc. Excluding your wisdom teeth, you have had only 4 other extractions. Two were not restored because they were in the very back on the same side [top and bottom], one was restored with the above stated bridge, and the other missing tooth is the reason you went to the dentist today. After a complete exam and the necessary radiographs, you hear that several of your crowns [placed 10+ years ago] need to be remade. In addition, one tooth is now unrestorable which will leave the left side with no molars and only one pre-molar on the top. Your dentist says that 2 implant crowns would be the optimal treatment. Is he right?
What other treatment would you offer your patient?
Click Here
The websites listed here are pretty impressive. Look around at the dentists in your area, and check out there websites. Would you go there? Does their site welcome you into the office? Does it make you want to go see how it looks in person?
Obviously, there are certain things that a practice's website must include. Those are pretty tangible: address, biography, etc. What about the things that aren't tangible like the feeling that the site gives? The quality of the images, are they stock photos? Also, and item that is often overlooked in favor of splashy image heavy extras, useability. If it takes more than 10 seconds to load, most people are off checking their email and not your site.
Shiny Parts
Found this site while looking for new design inspiration / styles for MT4 blogs. Best of all there is some how-to along with the editorial! Can't wait to get into my templates. Thanks, Shiny Parts.
Quick Post Problems...
I had to alter the entry to get the Link to come up as a link and not simply http:// etc. Anoying.
I am happy to announce that I will not be the only one publishing to this site. I have invited, and will continue to invite colleagues to join me in discussing topics related to all aspects of dentistry. My good friends, Meena Barsoum and Crystal Perry, will be the first to join me here, and I look forward to a collaboration that will last many years.
