subject: The Space Between [print this page] The Space Between The Space Between
As a dental professional, it's often frustrating to hear, 'we (dental professionals) are only in this field for the money'.
It's equally frustrating to only talk about money with dental professionals.Has our focus as a society really turned primarily towards money, no longer caring about the health and wellbeing of our fellow man?
From my perspective, the answer is'no, we are not'. I refuse to believe that we've stooped to that level; on the other hand, Iwill say it'sunfortunateour collectivefocus is largely on money; yet,I see why that is. Most of us live in the same state: financial breakdown.The cost of everything is on the rise; everything that is but themoney we're willing or able to payour employees and staff.
As I sit between the patient and my fellow dental professionals, I see both sides of the fence. I understand why patients believe we're only out to hurt people; although,with the technology we have today, it's not so much about 'hurting them physically' as it is financially. People are tired of being hurt in the bank account, and will look forways to justifyNOT spendingtheir money on things that do not bring them pleasure. We are creatures of comfort and seek only those things that serve us. Interestingly enough, if there has ever been a baddentalor medical experience,men and women, alike,willcome upwith excuse after excuse not to go toeither doctor often times untilit's too late.What they don't seem to understand is the longer they put off going to the dentist or doctor, the more money theseprofessionalsactually makecosting themmorefinancially as well as physically.
When someonemakes the remark directly to me about being in the field only for the money, it's all I can do notto laugh at them. Do they really think working with saliva, blood, fear and frustration is an appealing thought when it comes to a career choice? For me, as it is for many health professionals, we choose to get into the field because we truly care about the health and wellbeing of our friends and family and we're looking for ways to be a catlyst for change. We want people to live long healthy lives and oral healthplays a CRUCIAL roleinpulling this off.
When when of my colleagues gets on a role about money, it's all I can do to not shake them. Yes, this does sound aggressive & damn it, it's timewe redirect our focus because when money takes over our thought process and a patient or prospective patient makes a comment about the cost of dentistry, we become defensive and no longer effective with our communication. I do realize the cost to running a dental practice is outrageous considering supplies, insurance, patient insurance, salaries,administrative and structuralcosts, etc; however, we cannot allow this to be what drives us during the day. Once we identify what our goals must be to absorb these costs as well as allow us to put food on our tables, it' s necessary to know who is coming into our office that day as well as be mindful of those who just might call in looking to alter their dental experience once and for all.
That's just it, we meet people every day for a reason, and that reason is to create a ripple in their life path, permanently altering their direction. For as crazy as this may sound, the profession isn't just about teeth and the surrounding structures. It's about relationship and affecting the community outsidethepractice walls.
Everyone inyour office has the potential to postively or negativelyimpactyour surroundingcommunity with how they interact with every person they come into contact with. When someone calls in for the first time, are they going to have an all to familiar experience reminding them that dental professionals are all the same OR are they going to say 'yes' to coming in because no matter the cost of the work, they know they are heard and will not be hurt? Are they going tounderstand there is money involved and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are NOT in it for the money? Are they going to learn from that very first phone call their health is worth the call, the trip AND the charge? How do you convey to your community that 'Yes, money is necessary AND not why you go to work?'
This is what patients are dying to learn and your staff has the potential to alter the face of dentistry, starting today. Make it a point to take some time at your next staff meeting and have everyone role play what it feels like to be just a dollar sign to the person sitting in front of them. Conversely, have the person in the role of dental professional begin a discovery processto find out justwhat makes that 'patient' tick and have the conversation go from there. The idea is to eliminate the feeling of being rushed which indicates thatyou only want themthere for money, and have them begin to get a true sense that your practice really is about health and wellbeing.
When we choose to put ourselves in the space beteen patient and professional, the rewards are endless and everyone walks away feeling complete.
