Sometimes it's sweeter the second time around?


Everything is relative and we can always hope that we will find a better partner, job or yes, a better doctor or dentist out there. Often our concerns, about the person or a job we are leaving, are real and there is a better opportunity waiting just around the corner... but sometimes.... it could take some time to find it or them.  Nothing in life is really perfect and when we change things up in search for better , sometimes we get it, but sometimes, it doesn't happen right away....not the first second or third try either.

If we examine why people exit dental practices, our patients leave for all sorts of reasons. Some common reasons I hear from new patients entering my practice are: The staff at my last dentist's practice was rude, the dentist was too pushy, the fillings he or she did bothered  me afterwards, and  going there was too expensive.

The problem with leaving a dentist you have been seeing for a long while and been relatively satisfied with , is that the next dentist may or may not be an overall improvement. You probably will need to shop around a little and this can provide some difficulties, since there are some consequences from  sub optimal dental care and changing dentists is somewhat different than changing hair stylists. Your hair will grow back if you get a bad haircut, but teeth do not regenerate themselves. Bad dentistry can make eventual tooth loss more likely.

In my personal experience, some of  my own patients disappear for a couple of years (or more). They may change dental insurance, move away or just want to go to a less expensive dentist. My office manager will usually let them know that "Our doors are always open for you and you will welcomed back if you choose to return. Some, but not all, return with a story or two. Sometimes they switch back to an insurance that I participate in and sometimes they have a tooth that was treated by another dentist and they are not happy with their result and would like to see if I can help them. Whatever is their reason for returning, we try to make them feel welcome and address any dental concerns that they may have. We don't make them feel guilty about their leaving and make sure to let them know that we are happy to have them back in the fold once again!       

from Ask Dr. Spindel - http://lspindelnycdds.blogspot.com/2018/11/sometimes-its-sweeter-second-time-around.html - http://lspindelnycdds.blogspot.com/

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