Online Reviews
Practicing dentistry in 2011 is not like 5-10 years ago. The presence and focus of online reviews and review dedicated websites, leaves the door wide open for people to say anything they want about you or your practice to the whole word instantly. However, when you own the dental practice, there is a fine line between the practice review and/or it being considered a personal attack on you. Its my belief, that every time I sit down with a new patient, I know in the back of my mind a few things: 1) They probably found the office and are there due to my online reputation. (what others have said about us) 2) Online reputation can lead to higher expectations that I have to live up to. 3) If the patients higher expectations were not met, my office and myself are subject to online criticism, that the whole world can see. If you are the consumer or patient, online reviews are a GREAT thing for you. You know that you have rights, and you know that we know that if we don’t treat you to your comfort level and/or exceed your expectations, you have the power to let the whole world know, instantly. Ultimately, this is increasing customer services levels in every arena. Yes, when I am on the the consumer side, its a beautiful thing. Negative reviews…..for me if I get a negative review, it effects my practice dramatically. For example, on Yelp I was given a 1 star review when I was at a 5 star with a total of 4 reviews. For two months that review took my overall review rating to 3 stars. Those 2 months, my page views went from 70 a month to 20. So what do you do as a business owner? I emailed the reviewer and thanked her for her honesty. Mostly, I felt the review was a misinterpretation from the patient. Still, it was her interpretation. So the next strategy is to learn from it and to do my best daily and work to achieve good reviews to drown out the bad reviews. I am on yelp and I review businesses. Being on both sides of reviews, I give reviews with constructive criticism and ideas to help their business. If they try to contact me about the review, that means they care and I can respect, usually giving them another chance. What does the future of online reviews for dentist hold? Every dentist will have good reviews, its the negative ones people look at and judge just how bad of negative it is. I do believe we will see lawyers enter this realm of the internet, as some people will want revenge from “persona” attacks. In summary, I am aware I am not going to meet everyone’s expectations and my practice philosophy will not agree with some. (I am also in a field where everyone states they hate me before I get to know them). All I can do my best to exceed peoples expectations and to treat others how I would want to be treated. (Following the Golden Rule) My how times and things have changed..
Do you feel metal fillings are safe?
Over the last 10-15 years, major controversy has been associated with metal (mercury) fillings. It has been banned in 5 countries within the last 10 years. The FDA has cleared the fillings as safe with a study completed in 2008. However, in 2011 the FDA plans on reopening an investigation on metals fillings safeness. A few things come into play: Most dental insurance companies only pay for metal fillings. The ADA and the insurance companies refuse to say metal fillings have any health risks. Due to the controversy, I have decided not to do metal fillings at Ascent Dental. I also leave the decision strictly up to the patient if they want to update their metal fillings or not. After all its YOUR mouth / body, not mine. If I see a cracked or broken down metal filling, I will suggest replacing it. My gut feeling – Sometime in my career, they will be banned… I am on the fence and see both sides of the argument.
To know or not…
Today I had to go to the Dermatologist to get some bumps on my thighs that had developed over the last few years The Dermatologist thought they were lipomas (a non cancerous tumor that is made up of fat) It was optional to get them removed, they were not hurting, but I didn’t want to take any chances. (In my business, just because it doesn’t hurt doesn’t mean nothing’s wrong, so I took the same philosophy in this situation ) It had taken me 8 months to get in and get this done. It was mainly fear that held me from not going in for so long. So, I can understand why people take their time and don’t go into the dentist right away. So, today I was on the end of the needle, scalpel, stitches, etc. I have to admit, I can give shots with no problem, but when it comes to taking them, I am terrible at it. Needless to say, the procedure went well and was way less than my mind had conceived with worry. When getting stuck (the only part of it I felt), I was glad to know when it was coming. I am not sure how all people feel about this. Some people seem to want to know, some don’t. I myself like to know, so in that split second, my mind can prepare my body to feel something. Let me know what you like. See you in the chair.