Sunday Dental Thread Returns! I am no longer a Professional, [View All]

[PCIntern]

I am now officially in Retail.

How so? Well, I'll tell you:

My store is now open 6-7 days per week with hours from 6:30 AM to 5 PM without a break in order that we any accommodate patients who can only come during lunch hours. Of course, the staff take lunch serially, but not I. We run continuous 'sales'...every patient is "Let's Make a Deal" since "money is tight" and dollars for co-pays and deductibles are at a premium at this time. We accommodate all people since I'm still a humanist and no one leaves my office in pain or missing a front tooth (that is of course they have to be upset about it - you'd be surprised) even if they can't pay. (It is very easy with our new materials to bond a denture tooth onto existing teeth and allow the patient a quantum of dignity).

Our income is predetermined by 6 major insurance companies who pay us as they see fit and often change the rules in the middle of the game. Checks come on Mondays and if they don't show that week on that day, well, we are just shit-out-of-luck and good luck making payroll or rent/loan payments in a timely fashion. Every day requires heavy productivity and interestingly, THIS is our busy season b/c many folks a) want to look good for the Holidays, b) are losing the job after the end of the year, c) want to use up their dental benefits (we call this the Crown of the Year Club), and d) wish to fulfill their 2008 New Year's Resolutions. If we don't do the business NOW, we're screwed for the year...we are busy from tomorrow (Monday) thru the 22nd or so and then it just drops off precipitously - where have you heard THIS lately?

I have 'customers' who steal from me in many senses - theft of service, stealing toothbrushes and floss from my drawers (happens a LOT), cancel appointments because they couldn't find a free parking space (I'd pay for the lot if they'd show up...but don't tell EVERYONE that) and other instances.

People want style over substance: bleaching and bonding are very big deal but often the underlying disease isn't treated, and then when everything turns to you-know-what, guess whose fault THAT is? But that's what's in the 'display window' so to speak and is the 'hook' for getting people to come in.

So here we are...trying to stay open despite the near-death of the credit markets, and the oddness of the politically-controlled environment. These are very difficult times for everyone, no exception, and it will be important that the country ensure that its health-care providers don't go under. You can always rehabilitate a car -ask the Cubans who are pros - but Improvising health care may be fatal.

I suppose it could be worse: I might be running a clothing store or be a franchise owner of a firm such as Williams-Sonoma which is probably going to close at the end of the season...but then again, I could be running an automobile company and awaiting a bail-out or better yet, a bankruptcy law practice.