Fast Food dentistry vs "High end" dentistry?

 


Most people understand the difference between going to a fast food restaurant vs going to a Michellin rated food establishment.   They both provide meals, but they are really going not providing the same level of product.. The fast food establishments claim to provide a tastee meal, fast and affordable (not so much now-lol). The Michelin rated restaurants are aiming to provide  a more leisurely dinning experience, often with fresh high quality ingredients prepared using a careful technique by highly trained chefs.

All consumers understand that going to a Michelin rated restaurant will be more expensive than a meal at Mcdonalds but feel that the meal is worth the extra expense. They may reserve this high end meal for a special occasion , which considering the expense is understandable. Not all people want to acknowledge  that choosing their dentist may be similar to choosing where you may dine.

In some ways this analogy can be applied to dentistry today. There a number of different options for those seeking dental treatment. Increasingly, modern cooprate dental offices are gobbling up traditional dental practices. Many of these proudly operate out of extremely modern facilities and employ young recent graduates to provide the majority of their services. Usually these offices participate with many different dental insurance plans and show up in internet searches on dental insurance websites.

Often they have a fairly high turnover rate for their providers and staff as well. They can deliver dental services quickly, often delivering same day crowns, and night guards. They may have in house dental laboratories. At their best they can provide excellent service in an efficient manner at a relatively affordable out of pocket expenditure. 

In my opinion, sometimes, possibly due to the pressures on their employees to be 'efficient' and in their desire to maximize profits, their results can actually not be that great. It should be noted that teeth are invaluable and irreplaceable. Implant restorations can be great but they are not the same as natural teeth.  I strongly believe that dentists should make every attempt at preserving teeth, creating excellent restorations , with the aim at preserving teeth long term.

Also patients must be active participants in maintaining their own dental health, spending time performing their own dental home care and get thorough dental cleanings and exams on a regular basis. Many young people that I meet seem extremely interested in maintaining their general health. They are limiting their alcohol consumption, concerned with working out and having a healthier diet. It would be highly beneficial if this concern would be extended to their dental health, which shouldn't be taken for granted, since keeping your teeth in a natural and healthy state , will ultimately positively affect their health and happiness as they age. Teeth are still relevant to living 'your best possible life!'

Going back to the original point of this post is there is still a need for traditional, owner operator dental offices, especially those that put their patients needs as their number one priority. My proudest moments every day happen during my examination of my long time patients after my hygienist has cleaned their teeth. Mostly these exams reaffirm my core beliefs; That preventive dentistry is very important  and that carefully executed dental restorations are a key, since they help preserve teeth for the long term. It is my hope that my profession continues to place patients dental health as our number one mission and not succumbing the increasing pressure to making  profits a higher priority, even if it means sacrificing the  quality and longevity of our dental restorations. 



from Ask Dr. Spindel - http://lspindelnycdds.blogspot.com/2025/08/fast-food-dentistry-vs-high-end.html - http://lspindelnycdds.blogspot.com/

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