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Medical Forum / General / Dentistry / October 2004Beating the dead horse - how to find a "good" dentist?
Hi all, I am looking for a dentist now around central NJ, and I want to raise the issue of how one can screen for a "good" dentist. If I needed just a cleaning, I would not be so concerned. However, I need some major work done, so choosing carefully will go a long way. What would be good tips on the screening process? My list of what one could consider: - gets regular training about new techniques, and is no less than ~5 years away from retirement - maintains a nice & clean office, with at least some of the latest & greatest toys which were found to be useful - honest with the patients (and how would one find about that?), and communicates clearly - the waiting time for an appointment is not too short, since the good ones will have plenty of referrals Can anyone add to the list, or, drop me a line about a good dentist in the central NJ? Thanks! A guy in NJ Is Jersey City central NJ? > Hi all, > > I am looking for a dentist now around central NJ, Perhaps Dr. Bornfeld will respond. Although, I would go to him in a New Jersey minute. carabelli >> Hi all, >> [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > >carabelli Believe it or not, going to Brooklyn from Central New Jersey is quite a trek. Especially weekdays ........ Joel > >> Hi all, > >> [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > Joel OK, a New Jersey 4 hours. carabelli >>>Hi all, >>> [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > Joel My accountant moved from Brooklyn to Manalapan NJ. But he only has to come to Brooklyn around tax time. A periodontist I refer to commutes from Marlborough. But I think he has somewhat nonstandard hours. Just listening to the traffic reports about the wait for the Hudson river crossings is enough to convince me this is not a commute I would want. Steve  SignatureMark & Steven Bornfeld DDS http://www.dentaltwins.com Brooklyn, NY 718-258-5001 > >> Hi all, > >> [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Especially weekdays ........ True, that is sort of an issue. From where I am (not far from Trenton) it takes ~ 1 hour to drive somewhere west of Hudson river, and unpredictably longer if going to Manhattan or Brooklyn, on the order of at least 2 hours if not more. Each visit will take a full workday! Philadelphia is a more reliable 1 hour drive so this could be an option. Thanks again! a guy in NJ > True, that is sort of an issue. From where I am (not far from >Trenton) it takes ~ 1 hour to drive somewhere west of Hudson river, [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > a guy in NJ If one needs a Trenton area dentist, there are quite a few options ....... some patients from the area may even have a suggestyion. I will ask at DentalTown (there is a referral service) ... but this is like picking someone out of the phonebook, but possibly worse (as Dr. Steve might say). Princeton is also the place where there are tons of excellent dentists,,,, and naturally speaking, pretty smart guys too! Joel >>Hi all, >> [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > carabelli Thanks, Dan. I was friendly with a few dentists from NJ, but that was through cycling, not dentistry. I think they were from Northern NJ at any rate. I think Dave King probably could help out here. Steve SignatureMark & Steven Bornfeld DDS http://www.dentaltwins.com Brooklyn, NY 718-258-5001 >Hi all, > >I am looking for a dentist now around central NJ, and I want to raise >the issue of how one can screen for a "good" dentist. If I needed just >a cleaning, I would not be so concerned. However, I need some major >work done, so choosing carefully will go a long way. Ask neighbors, friends, and associates. I recommend house/office combination dentists if you are suburban. The dentist will be more appreciative and treat you more like an individual. I would avoid any dental office with more than one doctor around. Often, these are abusive arrangements and you the patient will suffer. (PS- I had tons of associates working for me over the years so I should know!) Joel >What would be good tips on the screening process? > [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > Thanks! > A guy in NJ > gets regular training about new techniques, and is no less than ~5 >years away from retirement >- maintains a nice & clean office, with at least some of the latest & >greatest toys which were found to be useful These are nice but not of prime importance. This is what the dental industry (suppliers, dentists, and manufacturers) want you to believe. Conversely, pick a doc who is CARING, and will be CONSERVATIVE with removing tooth structure and believes in PREVENTION and early intervention. The tools are an AID to the above. Joel Many offices will leave 1-2 appt slots open in each day. These are saved for emergencies and new patients. If not filled at the last minute, then they will open those slots up to "regular" appointments. So, you might get an immediate appointment in the most busy office. Some dentist want to retire at 55 since they are bored, and others are still learning and working hard at 68. Some young kids are well trained and motivated at 30. I would call a few offices and ask for an audition appointment, where you can come in and meet the doctor, staff and tour the office. You get some positive replies. Digital equipment are great aids to doing great work, but some office continue to do great work without many of them. Personally, I do not like seeing professional offices using paper billing and paper appointment books. That suggests a fear of technology to me. Billing and scheduling software have been available (and affordable) for 15 years. I think that at least the front desk area should be digital. Some minor flaming is sure to begin since I made the above comments and always nag my compatriots on this forum with reasons why their entire office needs to digital. The only true way to evaluate is to schedule a simple appointment and sit in the chair. Signature~+--~+--~+--~+--~+-- Stephen Mancuso, D.D.S. Troy, Michigan, USA .................................................... This posting is intended for informational or conversational purposes only. Always seek the opinion of a licensed dental professional before acting on the advice or opinion expressed here. Only a dentist who has examined you in person can diagnose your problems and make decisions which will affect your health. ...................... > Hi all, > [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > Thanks! > A guy in NJ >Personally, I do not like seeing professional offices using paper billing >and paper appointment books. That suggests a fear of technology to me. Not really, but I hear you. Joel >Personally, I do not like seeing professional offices using paper billing >and paper appointment books. That suggests a fear of technology to me. >Billing and scheduling software have been available (and affordable) for 15 >years. I think that at least the front desk area should be digital. Paper appointment books don't crash. -- W_B wubbabubbazG@RBAGEyahoo.com Take out the G'RBAGE Nor has my digital one. Signature~+--~+--~+--~+--~+-- Stephen Mancuso, D.D.S. Troy, Michigan, USA .................................................... This posting is intended for informational or conversational purposes only. Always seek the opinion of a licensed dental professional before acting on the advice or opinion expressed here. Only a dentist who has examined you in person can diagnose your problems and make decisions which will affect your health. ...................... > >>Personally, I do not like seeing professional offices using paper billing [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > wubbabubbazG@RBAGEyahoo.com > Take out the G'RBAGE >>Personally, I do not like seeing professional offices using paper billing >>and paper appointment books. That suggests a fear of technology to me. >>Billing and scheduling software have been available (and affordable) for 15 >>years. I think that at least the front desk area should be digital. > >Paper appointment books don't crash. If they do, you really worry. >>Personally, I do not like seeing professional offices using paper billing >>and paper appointment books. That suggests a fear of technology to me. >>Billing and scheduling software have been available (and affordable) for 15 >>years. I think that at least the front desk area should be digital. > >Paper appointment books don't crash. As a computer programmer, I am of the opinion that the productivity lost due to software crashes and hardware failure is less than that lost because of inefficient paper appointment books. More front desk efficiency = less overhead = hopefully they pass the savings on to you. Adenosine Yes, Indeed!!! I can run my front desk with one lady instead of 2-3 ladies since the removal of all paper records. Signature~+--~+--~+--~+--~+-- Stephen Mancuso, D.D.S. Troy, Michigan, USA .................................................... This posting is intended for informational or conversational purposes only. Always seek the opinion of a licensed dental professional before acting on the advice or opinion expressed here. Only a dentist who has examined you in person can diagnose your problems and make decisions which will affect your health. ...................... > >>>Personally, I do not like seeing professional offices using paper billing [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > Adenosine >Yes, Indeed!!! > >I can run my front desk with one lady instead of 2-3 ladies since the >removal of all paper records. YUP, two linemen (for the electrical overloads) plus one lady ...... No line ladies need apply. Joel > >Personally, I do not like seeing professional offices using paper billing > >and paper appointment books. That suggests a fear of technology to me. > >Billing and scheduling software have been available (and affordable) for 15 > >years. I think that at least the front desk area should be digital. > > Paper appointment books don't crash. This is getting more into a matter of personal preferences than necessity or efficiency. (And for that matter, neither necessity nor efficiency in front-office administrative shuffling will EVER make a poor restoration into a good one.) I would be very suspect of an office whose billing and scheduling is so complicated that they actually NEED, rather than WANT, a computer to keep track of what patient is coming in next. -dentaldoc Paper appointment books tell me the office is afraid of technology. Digital scheduling was dirt easy and cheap ten years ago. Signature~+--~+--~+--~+--~+-- Stephen Mancuso, D.D.S. Troy, Michigan, USA .................................................... This posting is intended for informational or conversational purposes only. Always seek the opinion of a licensed dental professional before acting on the advice or opinion expressed here. Only a dentist who has examined you in person can diagnose your problems and make decisions which will affect your health. ...................... >> >> >Personally, I do not like seeing professional offices using paper [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > > -dentaldoc You would be amazed at how many man-hours can be saved by a efficient computer scheduling system! Databases have made inefficient paper records almost obsolete! It's like your car engine. Everybody used to have a carburated (sp?) engine. I have one (my car was made 2 decades ago), it runs just fine. Would buy a new car knowing it didn't have fuel injection? Would you buy a new car with old technology knowing well that modern technology could give you greater gas milage? Sure, you might call it a 'want' but you 'need' it if you are going to remain competative! Adenosine >> >Personally, I do not like seeing professional offices using paper billing >> >and paper appointment books. That suggests a fear of technology to me. [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > >-dentaldoc I choose to drive old cars with side draft carburetors, two-stroke engines, etc. for around town, and for pleasure trips. But, to get from Detroit to North Carolina, I would drive a modern computer controlled engine. Signature~+--~+--~+--~+--~+-- Stephen Mancuso, D.D.S. Troy, Michigan, USA .................................................... This posting is intended for informational or conversational purposes only. Always seek the opinion of a licensed dental professional before acting on the advice or opinion expressed here. Only a dentist who has examined you in person can diagnose your problems and make decisions which will affect your health. ...................... > You would be amazed at how many man-hours can be saved by a efficient > computer scheduling system! Databases have made inefficient paper [quoted text clipped - 30 lines] >> >>-dentaldoc >I choose to drive old cars with side draft carburetors, two-stroke engines, >etc. for around town, and for pleasure trips. But, to get from Detroit to >North Carolina, I would drive a modern computer controlled engine. Sounds uncomfortable. I would use the entire automobile. -- W_B Take out the G'RBAGE wubbabubbazG@RBAGEyahoo.com >(And for that matter, neither necessity nor >efficiency in front-office administrative shuffling will EVER make a >poor restoration into a good one.) This is becoming practically privileged information ...... Hardly anyone knows that. Joel >Can anyone add to the list, or, drop me a line about a good dentist in >the central NJ? Check back in two or three days ... I will post .... Joel |
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