"LeFort3" <lefort3@verizn.net> wrote......................

Whoever has less wins and goes to

Thanks Dave,  I can count on one hand how many times I have missed work in
the last 15 yrs. When I came in it was nothing I felt would compromise the
patient - doc deal as far as getting them sick too, just the unavoidable
winter virus crud (I've been blessed).  Invariably, those would be the days
we should have had a deck of cards because nobody showed while I paid my
staff, rent, utilities, insurance............

Again, this is not a rant.  Just one of those things that patients don't
usually have any reason to consider.

OTOH, there have been winter days that I *absolutely* knew no one would
show, especially my staff, on some brutal winter days.  I live close and
always come in anyway and there would be someone that had driven through
some of the nastiest winter slush, ice, snow, wind that Kansas can offer.
And I show up 20 min early and there they are.  Ready to see me and make a
day of it (because they live an hour or two away)  in the city because
school is out.  You gotta love it

carabelli

The funny thing about times like these, I tend to be done early or
just in a nick-of-time so everyone, including my employees, are happy.

I too used to be much less tolerant of those that felt my time
extended to our time to just their time when nothing happens to be
convenient. I gave up worrying about it when my kids would undergo a
simultaneous sickness that started first thing in the morning. My wife
and I just look at each other and ask 'how many patients are you going
to piss off today by calling out?'  Whoever has less wins and goes to
work. I have gained a much better appreciation for 'sh.t happens' from
multiple perspectives.

"Charlie via MedKB.com" <forum@MedKB.com>...................

personal defense.

Been short 2 out of 5 employees since last Fri - unplanned sickness - just
happens - what do I do, send patients showing up on time home??.  School's
just now out so the schedule *every single day* has been 3 patients show up
one appointment block late (I couldn't get him out of bed -she was at a
friends etc.,), 3 show up on time, and 3 show up one appointment block early
(please hurry - car keys jingling - soccer, ballet, basketball camp - which
starts in 5 min, and could you please make a donation to sponsor him/her in
a bogus modeling contest).  So, 9 people to see in time that was adequately
allotted for 3 people.  Another plus, I'm seeing people that postponed appts
due 2-3 weeks ago because they decided to wait until school was out.  I end
up looking like a cheapskate that won't hire enough help.  In the past I
have sent some of the late shows home and asked them to reschedule.  They
were not happy campers and I learned a long time ago not to try that again.
I'm a parent also and I realise sometimes it is impossible to get all the
activities in - just don't expect the impossible on a regular basis at my
office.  But, be aware, half the time I will provide the impossible.

To be honest I'm surprised I haven't developed a facial tic this week.
Patients only see a backed up office and don't know we have had 2 employees
call in sick 20 min before the first patient is scheduled..

Not a rant, just a chance for patients to see the other side of the story.
It happens every year.  Kinda like the movie " It Happens Every Spring",
except for my office, every first two weeks school's out...........  And,
it's more fun to watch " It Happens Every Spring", quite dopey but I loved
getting to see it in grade school - reserved for the "fun" days at the end
of the year when we were rained out from outside activities.

carabelli

OK, OK....I'll be serious:

I'm trying to think about common denominators for bad dentists .....things
that a layperson might notice, and I'm kinda coming up blank.  An awful lot
of smart people go to bad dentists for years.

I mean, I have my prejudices, but I can't take them too seriously.

Like: dentists who advertise.  Some of the real hacks around here advertise
heavily.  Buuuut....I've advertised, don't think I'm a hack.  And I know
some great docs with a half page in the phone book.

Dentists who delegate excessively to auxiliaries.  I used to watch one
DDS's assistants making dentures, start to finish, as I looked from my 10th
story suite into his 9th floor office in the next building.  Ethics
committee eventually ran him out of town.  Buuuut, overall, expanded duties
have enriched the profession, I think.  Where do yo draw the line?

Maybe this one: dentists who always seem to be in a hurry.  Yes, we're all
busy, but I favor health care providers - in any specialty - who pay
sufficient attention to my care.  If your doc works 4 operatories and
doesn't at least say hello when you're in for recall......I'd wonder,
myself.

Wears black leather, rIdes a motorcycle, picture of mom on the altar in the
closet.....

My personal "favourite": tx plan ENDS with a cleaning...

I'm not sure whether you will have fun with this or give an honest
answer. Maybe a little of both will be nice, but I would love to hear
what you think are the top signs you have a bad dentist. :)
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