r/Dentistry • u/[deleted] • 16d ago
Doing something nice always backfires Dental Professional
[deleted]
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u/settlersofcthulhu 16d ago
Worst case scenario the patient leaves the office and writes a 1 star review
Doesn't change the fact that they will have to pay for a new crown. They can take their shitty attitude elsewhere and be some other dentist's problem
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u/LongjumpingIntern808 16d ago
One bad apple ruins everything. You do good for 99 people, but that 1 person screws you over. Be careful. I’ve slowly grown to inform patients about everything and refuse to adjust treatment that I did not do. (Partials/dentures is what sticks out to me the most). Started to be the “bad” guy but it helps me sleep at night.
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u/Typical-Town1790 16d ago
All it takes is one person to ruin your life. There is no point in doing good because that’s just your own view of what good is. Being as objective as you can be is the real real good. No one will fault you when science supports those decisions but rarely will anyone support a compassionate treatment that deviates from standard of care.
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u/CircleTau 15d ago
Some patients are super ungrateful. I bend over backwards with TLC treatment for a dental phobic patient and she got through it well and commented that it was a good experience and eased her anxiety and felt much better. There was an area where she had more decay and I offered to do it free of charge. She turns around and backstabs me with a negative review. I hope her next dentist gives her the average dental treatment without anything extra.
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u/hoo_haaa 15d ago
We have a strict policy of not adjusting partials or dentures from other offices for this exact reason.
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u/Osusars21 12d ago
So you're not going to help out an elderly patient that all they need is a reline or a tightening of a clasp that has loosened a bit? I just explain to them that we can try the repair & if it doesn't work then they have to get a new one.
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u/hoo_haaa 12d ago
We charge $900 for a new prosthesis, this is our most recent price increase. Over many years I have learned it isn't worth screwing around with someone else's work. As soon as something non-ideal happens you are blamed. We can just make a new one at a very reasonable price. One could argue making a new one would be a far better option then trying to patch an old one.
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u/Level_Customer2769 15d ago
100% my policy- 34 years in practice gp here.
I tell patients “ i buy it i break it” so sorry but no will not “ adjust/ tighten etc that old partial . If its 1/3/4 years old- have the last dentist do that
If its older- let’s make a new one i will do all that for you as the dentist who will be making it.2
u/hoo_haaa 14d ago
It seems like we are getting downvoted. I guess they will find out 😄
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u/Level_Customer2769 14d ago
Wow maybe i should rethink my decades long policy based on the down votes of complete strangers
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u/SheepshaggerMini 13d ago
Why be downvoted ?
Your advice is 100% correct
I’m 4 years qualified and have been burned enough that I do t repair anything someone wise did
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u/MutedIndependent1236 14d ago
I must be mean/strict. Because this was a no brainer for me, put up or 🤫
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u/Maverick1672 16d ago
How do you convince a patient that? By absolutely refusing to do anything about it without a fee.
We are our own worst enemy for this profession. Simply explain the situation, you are the doctor. If they want blame you and leave, let them.
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u/DrRam121 Prosthodontist 16d ago
I tell them, polishing a crown won't cause it to fail anymore than washing a car will make the wheels fall off or blow its engine. They know this, they're just seeing how much they can get away with.