Why Dentists Struggle Meeting Your Needs
Most of the people I see every day are exceptionally healthy. All they really need is hygiene maintenance with the occasional basic restorative intervention.
The people I see every day barely need a dentist. They self-maintain beautifully. Most have the financial resources for Advanced Dental Care, such as Crowns, Bridges, Implants and Smile Makeovers. Yet they rarely have need for such things.
There’s all kinds of people out there drifting along in great need of dental care. I call them Dental Avoiders.
These Dental Avoiders haven’t gone to a dentist in years. Mostly out of fear, embarrassment or affordability issues. Sooner or later, they’ll get into heaps of trouble.
Are you a Dental Avoider? How can dentists take care of your needs when you neglect to go?
That’s the Dental Dilemma.
So here I am caring for people who barely need me, while those in desperate situations remain huddling in the shadows with need in their mouths, fear in their hearts and no money in their pockets.
What’s the solution? That’s a tough question.
Everyone would love to have top-level care at a bargain price. Better yet, dental care for free. That way they wouldn’t have to endure both the dental treatment and paying good money for it.
Here’s a reality check.
Wherever state-run dentistry is provided, poor teeth and low standards are the norm. When something is free, people place low value upon it. Dental Care is no exception.
Let’s take the Brits for example. They have their NHS program offering free dental care. They also love their sweets. People relax personal standards when a big safety-net eliminates the consequences.
The Brits dental NHS system has been gradually been cut back over the years. Their population’s dental health has been steadily rising as Government support for dental treatment has been cut back.
The bottom line… People will take better care of themselves when they have to pay the price for not doing so. You’re inclined to take better care of your dental needs when you’re directly exposed to the financial consequences of neglect.
There’s another force at play. The entire service aspect is stripped away when a patient ceases to be a paying customer. I never lose sight of the fact my patients are the ones paying all my bills and helping to raise my family.
Free isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. You get what you pay for.
My advice? Don’t neglect your dental needs and don’t wish for bargains in parachutes, hand grenades and healthcare.
Stay healthy and keep smiling!
Dr. Joe 
P.S. If you need a dentist, we offer a Free No-Obligation First Visit to help review your needs and consider the possibilities. You can call, send us a message or drop by in person. Click here to contact Denise. She’ll take good care of you.
| About the Author: Dr. Joe Bulger is a Toronto Cosmetic-Implant Dentist in Etobicoke and owner-founder of Royal York Dental. Discover Dental Secrets, Tips & tricks at the Toronto-Etobicoke Dentist Blog. Read about his adventures of Volunteer Dental Work in Mexico. Call 416 231-0550 for a FREE & Easy No-Obligation First Visit or drop by and visit their beautiful West-Toronto Dental Office. |
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I am very pleased with RYD. I have already mentioned your office to several friends and family after only two visits. Thanks for a great dental experience.
I was so pleased to go to a progressive and state of the art dental office (not to mention so close to home!) and so attuned with new dentistry proceedures and techniques.
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After many years of superb care, I'm still delighted by your passion for improvement. Olya always remembers how to make me comfortable and teaches me techniques to improve my dental health between visits.
No one likes a trip to the dentist, but because all the staff are sensitive to the patient's needs, even my children look forward to visiting! Thank you for the top-notch service you provide.
I used to be afraid of the dentist and hated to go. I even made up excuses and missed appointments. Since reading your ad "we cater to kids of all ages" over 14 years ago, I have never looked back.
Once again, Dr. Bulger, you and your team of professionals were there for me! One visit – you put me together - it’s a miracle - now I am able to smile with confidence. Wow! Thank you!
I am a returning patient, after living out of town for the past 5 years, and I look forward to receiving my dental services again from Royal York Dental. It gives me real comfort to know that I can trust the quality, service and cleanliness provided by this team.
A dental professional told me "You have to go to Royal York Dental. I've spent well over 20 hours in the chair to complete all the work for my smile. I LOVE my new smile and I can't tell you how many positive comments I've received to date.
Going to the dentist has become such a treat since I've started coming to Royal York Dental! I feel confident that from the moment I walk through the doors, I will be well taken care of.
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
very interesting article. reminds me how sometimes what we want isn’t necessarily what we need.
Jim, I think I was feeling some frustration the day I wrote this. When I read the post I can see my thoughts were split in different directions.
I see some people that desperately need care but can’t afford it. And I see others that can easily afford dentistry yet have minimal needs.
There’s this growing gap between the haves and have-nots. On one hand I wish dental care was more accessible for all, and yet I know socialized dentistry would be a bad move in the long run.
Some days I feel my hands are tied and some days I get to do my best for people. When I can make a huge difference for someone, nothing feels better.
Sometimes I feel that as dentists we should do more good for financially disadvantanged people. Many of us volounteer our services abroad, when there is plenty of people to help in Toronto alone. Wouldn’t it be nice to have every dental office offer free dentistry once a month? A year even?
But then, there are always people that take advantage? How can you tell who really needs it? Don’t we all?
Hi Dr. Milica. That’s the dilemma isn’t it? How do we help these people? Taking care of people with deep needs but no means to pay is a path to financial ruin for the dentist.
I saw a young man today that hadn’t been to a dentist in 15 years. He was in great shape.
His secret? Great oral hygiene. He brushed and floss routinely. Self-reliance is a good thing.
Hey very nice site
People don’t go to the dentist for many reasons. Fear, lack of money or of time are the very common. The dental health is very important and for the health of the body.
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Hi Dr. Joe,
I definitely agree about your views on this post. People only take care of themselves better when they realize that if they didn’t, they will suffer the consequences (in this case, poor dental health). I, for example, didn’t realize my teeth will really suffer until I experienced my first toothache. After that, I make it a point to really take care of my teeth by brushing regularly and visiting the dentist at least twice a year.
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I too agree with this. If you don’t want to pay through the roof for tons of work on your teeth, take care of them or get proper insurance but don’t look to the dentist to provide you with some kind of deal. Goodness knows they have enough on their plate and are helping the public as much as they can.
Interesting read, thank you!
Very great article. A lot of quality information here on choosing a proper dentist.
Hello,
Thank you so much for your great blog. Keep it up. Really nice blog.
I think if more dentists were flexible to patients’ financial needs, then more people would visit the dentist regularly. People usually don’t expect dental services to be at a bargain let alone free. If dentists refuse to work with insurance companies directly, then perhaps a payment plan would help. My podiatrist lets me pay in installments prior to receiving my orthotics. What’s wrong with that?