Summer vacation or dental work?

Jul 19, 2010

Editor's note: Sheri Doniger's column, Dental Diaries, appears regularly on the DrBicuspid.com advice and opinion page, Second Opinion.

I had an interesting conversation the other day with a nonpatient. We were at a dinner for a school event and seated with a group of folks when the conversation came around to dentistry. One gentleman said, "I know I need an implant, but I had the choice between replacing the tooth and going on vacation with my family. I can always get the tooth, but I can't always find the time to go away with my family."

On some levels, I can relate to this logic. As a parent, I understand that family time cannot be recaptured. There comes a time when your children don't want to spend time with you, so you have to take what you can get when you can get it. As a dentist, we also understand the need to replace and restore teeth for proper form and function. Therein lies the conundrum.

But it seems these days that everyone is looking for an excuse to take a vacation from dentistry. One of our patients who had an endodontic treatment on a tooth almost a year ago has been informed he needs a final restoration. He was reminded at the six-month recare appointment with the endodontist, too. At his preventive maintenance appointment, he was asked to schedule his restorative. His response: "We are adding a room on to our house and can't do it now." Ultimately his tooth did crack, and it will now cost him more than the original treatment plan.

Another patient, who has three terminal teeth, has been in a holding pattern for a removal appliance because he is too busy golfing this summer to have his extractions and an immediate appliance placed. The question is: Will his appliance still fit when he is ready?

I was asked several months ago to discuss if the increased stress levels and the bad economy are causing our patients to have more bruxism issues. I think it is the dentists who are grinding more than the patients. There are patients out there who need our services. We run into them all the time. We meet them in Starbucks and they tell us they haven't been to a dentist in years. Some come into our offices and have the comprehensive evaluation but do not accept the entire treatment plan. We try calling our patients who cancel their appointments and try to reschedule them. But there is always some who are impossible to reach.

The question is: What is the tipping point for these patients to return to our offices? Will it be major pain? By the time there is major pain, it also may indicate major monetary investments. We discuss all the treatment options along with the financial considerations. For patients who are concerned about the bottom line, we always feel badly that they have to opt for a costlier option if they watch and wait. For now, we have to be patient, grind less, and try to enjoy the summer along with our patients.

Sheri Doniger, D.D.S., practices clinical dentistry in Lincolnwood, IL. She has served as an educator in several dental and dental hygiene programs, has been a consultant for a major dental benefit company, and has written for several dental publications, including Woman Dentist Journal and Woman Dentist eJournal. You can reach her at [email protected].

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