The practice of dentistry is changing.This of course is nothing new, as our profession has continued to evolve since its inception. But one significant difference exists. We have a broad range of choices with regard to how we can practice today. And the number of choices is greater than ever before.
In spite of this, most dentists fail to make any clear choices regarding their future. They roll with the current trends. They copy what their peers are doing. They blindly follow what their friends or consultants recommend. And they follow the dictates of those who have significant influence in their world - the insurance industry and dental supply and equipment manufacturers.
For a few, following the flock is not the preferred path.
They have something deep inside that yearns for a better way. And they recognize that much of the professional information promoted today has big money behind it and often hidden agendas - many of which have little to do with advancing the health of patients.
They find that all of these things add up to trends which create more and more distance in their relationships with others. That dentistry has become more and more about fixing teeth in increasingly elaborate ways. And significantly less time and energy is being spent on helping others obtain and maintain health.
Many see more and more of their peers breaching professional doctor - patient relationships; People being manipulated for personal gain; dentists and staff who have evolved into slick promoters of dentistry's latest wares; fewer and fewer people behaving like true professionals... holding out for what is in the best interest of their patients instead of quickly gathering the low-hanging fruit.
Although helpful in padding the balance sheet, this short-term gain strategy leaves many with a hollow feeling at the end of each work day. And many go home knowing that the way they are practicing is not really what they had in mind when they chose dentistry for a career. They know deep down that this is not the way to build a successful, sustainable, health-oriented practice. It is not the path to personal fulfillment either.
Most dentists work very hard for a living.
Some make more income than others. And the amount made seems to have little to do with how good they are clinically. Many feel like they are failing to connect with patients in any meaningful way. And as a result, few patients appear interested in what they have to offer. Most in fact, seem happy to just get by as long as nothing hurts, or are only interested in proceding with what their insurance plan will cover.
But these dentists have drawn the wrong conclusion.
Most people do want to take care of themselves better. And most people do want to keep their natural teeth for their entire lifetime and have an attractive smile along the way. And most people do want to find a dentist they respect, trust, and who can help them achieve their dental health goals. They simply just do not know how to get there from here, as their previous experiences with dentistry have often not been very good.
Co-Discovery.org...
has been created to help those interested in learning more about patient-centered / goal-oriented / health-centered dentistry. Co-discovery.org is a non-profit resource designed to help those who have studied at the Pankey Institute, Dawson Center, under Frank Spear, John Kois, and with many others to fully integrate what they have learned in a "Win-Win" fashion. To help them create a practice model where they are providing the best and finest services to patients who want the same...and who deeply appreciate it.
If it has been done, then it must be possible.
Co-Discovery.org is also a forum where those who have been successful in transitioning their practices to patient-centered / health-centered models can share what they have learned with those who desire to do the same. Our intention is to advance solid, proven concepts and techniques which will help facilitate the journey of others toward their preferred future.
It is our hope that you will find the information timely, relevant, and useful. We welcome your feedback. In fact, we need your input to be successful. As a result, we will regularly share what we are learning together as well. And this in turn will help others to help others. A legacy of caring, compassionate, health-centered care will then be created to share with the next generation of health care providers.
I invite you to join us regularly to co-discover, learn, develop, and to share for the betterment of our profession... and hope to hear from you soon!
Paul A. Henny, DDS
Publisher & Managing Editor
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Wow! Can I count on continued emails? This edition deals with every aspect of what I am going through personally and professionally. Oh, wait a second - aren't they the same thing? I look forward to having something to contribute soon.
Glenn j. Chiarello,D.D.S
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This is a very noble aspiration! I feel honored to be invited. I am the only pankey-trained dentist here in the Philippines. For years, I have taken the long, difficult and oh-so-winding road towards that ultimate goal of achieving the so-called optimal oral health for and with my patients.I have been very faithful to the Pankey Philosophy for all of these years since I came back from my life and training in the US but that is not to say that life's been a bed of roses. I had to and still am educating my countrymen here, one patient at a time in my dental chair. My country is a thirld world where Dental health is an elective that is far from any list of any priority whatsoever.Some days are long and arduous when I would love to touch base with someone who lives the same philosophy in the practice of dentistry- - - if only to renew my faith or be validated for it.
Please keep me posted. More power to you!
Agnes B. Claros, D.M.D.
dentalspamanila@yahoo.com
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I just came across your blog via an email from Tony Trujillo with the recent article about him. I liked the article and I like the blog.
Mary@MaryOsborne.com"
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On Personal Branding Article:
This is right on target. You need to gain feedback on how you are percieved by others and then create a development plan for your personal brand.
Dan Schawbel,
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Paul, Congratulations on your co-discovery launch. More voices like co-discovery.com are needed to spread the word on health-centered/relationship-based dentistry
Best,
Lynn Carlisle, DDS Editor and Publisher of In a Spirit of Caring
www.spiritofcaring.com
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Congratulations Paul. Nice job. Keep up the good work.
Sandy Roth
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Paul, This is great. Congratulations and thanks for your contributions to Relationship-Based, behavioral dental caring.
- Commenter name: Bill Gregg
- Commenter email: wygdds@hotmail.com
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