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Topic: Chain Dentists

Is Your Dentist a Salesman?

78741481-640x426We’ve all been told since childhood that we should see a dentist twice a year for basic cleanings. And the good news is if we brush (and floss) regularly, we may not need any other dental work. The problem is dentists simply cannot increase their incomes by performing just cleanings. So some practices have stooped to “upselling” you into procedures you may not actually need. Many chain dental practices have been in the news lately when exposed for this very tactic.

Mother Jones (the non-profit news outlet) has examined the “creative diagnosis” some dentists come up with. These diagnoses typically require thousands of dollars of treatment without warning. Second opinions by mainstream dentists often find nothing wrong and no need for further treatment.

Mother Jones explains more:

Upselling in dentistry isn’t a new phenomenon, but it’s having a moment. One reason: Dental school tuition—and debt—has doubled since the ’90s. According to the American Dental Education Association, students who graduated in 1996 were in the hole $112,000 (in 2013 dollars), on average, while 2013 grads were a whopping $215,000 in debt—28 percent were on the hook for $300,000 or more. By contrast, the average med school grad owed $170,000. ADEA executive director Richard Valachovic explained that one reason dental schools have jacked up tuitions is the rising costs of technology for student labs.

In any case, a generation ago, newly hatched dentists would join established practices as modestly paid associates, with the promise of eventually becoming partners. But these days, with dentists retiring later, there’s less turnover in private practice. Instead, more and more young dentists are taking jobs with chains, many of which set revenue quotas for practitioners. This has created some legal backlash: In 2012, for example, 11 patients sued (PDF) a 450-office chain called Aspen Dental, claiming that its model turns dentists into salespeople.

Regardless of your satisfaction level with your current dentist, the best line of defense is always a second opinion before an expensive or invasive treatment. At Southport Dental we are committed to providing a warm, stress free environment in which our patients are treated as family. Only necessary procedures are recommended, in other words, no one is pressured with upselling here. When considering treatment, patients are clearly presented with pros, cons, and all available options.

We are accepting New Patients! Call us at 317-494-7366 to schedule an appointment.

About Southport Dental PC

New patients are always welcome. We will not make you wait weeks to get the dental visits you want. Let us know what you want to accomplish at your first visit and we will make it happen! We take the time with our patients to explain their treatment options and inform them of additional preventive care.

Contact us today to learn more.

Why Risk Your Dental Health to a Profit-Driven Dental Chain?

The level of confidence is changing in dentistry because of the emergence of dental chains. In today’s world, unfortunately there are some dentists that are simply out to cash in on their patients. Dental chains are known for recommending unnecessary procedures to their patients for the sake of increasing their bottom line profits.

The ADA News, the official publication of the American Dental Association published an article by pediatric dentistry Jeffrey Camm describing a disturbing trend he called “creative diagnosis”-the peddling of unnecessary treatments.  Dr. Camm went on to say that there were several instances where dentists recommended a procedure with the thought it’s covered by insurance so it’s not hurting the patients.  At Southport Dental we will only recommend dental procedures that we feel you truly need!

Up-selling in dentistry isn’t anything new it’s just becoming more of a phenomenon since tuition is on the rise and many dentists are taking jobs with chains.  Many of these dental chains have turned dentists into salespeople.  In recent years several chains have been sued over allegations of unnecessary fillings, extractions and root canals that were covered by Medicaid. Several other chains have been sued over similar allegations.

The word to the wise is just be cautious when seeing your dentist or a new dentist that you feel may be recommending excessive procedures.  It doesn’t hurt to seek a second opinion on dental care. Dr. Ryan Mills and his staff are dedicated to providing you and your family the highest quality dental care.

At Southport Dental we are committed to providing a warm, stress free environment in which our patients are treated as family. Only necessary procedures are recommended, in other words, no one is pressured with “up selling.” When considering treatment, patients are clearly presented with pros, cons, and all available options.

We are accepting New Patients! Call us at 317-494-7366 to schedule an appointment.

About Southport Dental PC

New patients are always welcome. We will not make you wait weeks to get the dental visits you want. Let us know what you want to accomplish at your first visit and we will make it happen! We take the time with our patients to explain their treatment options and inform them of additional preventive care.

Contact us today to learn more.

Southport Dental: Our Patients, Not Our Profits, Come First

At Southport Dental new patients are always welcome! We provide a full spectrum of leading-edge dental services with a gentle touch and stunning results.

If you need it, we can do it. Make Southport Dental your one stop for all your dental care.

 

Watch our video to learn more about our practice: 

 

Some of our Dental Services include:

  • Extractions
  • Crowns & Bridges
  • Invisalign
  • Dentures and Partials
  • Periodontal Treatment
  • Dental Implants
  • Root Canals
  • Tooth Colored Fillings
  • Lumineers
  • Veneers
  • Pediatric Care
  • Intraoral Photography
  • Teeth Whitening
  • Mouth Guards
  • Nitrous Oxide

Our friendly and professional staff is always available to answer questions about your dental health. Our office is located on Emerson Avenue between Southport Road and Stop 11.

The office is just south of the I-65 bridge, on the East side of the road, in front of the Rosegate Senior Community.

Call us today at 317-494-7366 to schedule an appointment.

About Southport Dental PC

New patients are always welcome. We will not make you wait weeks to get the dental visits you want. Let us know what you want to accomplish at your first visit and we will make it happen! We take the time with our patients to explain their treatment options and inform them of additional preventive care.

Contact us today to learn more.

Southport Dental | Overcoming Dental Fear!

Overcoming Dental Fears IndianapolisAre you afraid to see the dentist? As humans, we are often scared of the unknown. Dental phobia can be one of those unknowns and is incredibly common with estimates that it affects betwen 13% to 24% of people around the world. Being afraid of the dentist means different things to different people. Maybe it’s the thought that the treatment will hurt. It could be that you haven’t seen a dentist in years and are embarrassed by your teeth. Whatever the reason, dental health is crucial to your overall health. Many Americans are at risk of gum disease and early tooth loss-conditions that can affect your physical, social, and mental health.

If it has been a while since you have seen a dentist, make it a point to schedule an appointment soon. The dentist understands your fears. On your first visit to the dentist, the goal is to calm your fears, perform an exam, and make you feel as comfortable as possible. The dentist will then discuss with you the results of the exam and the recommended dental services. When considering treatment, patients are clearly presented with pros, cons, and all available options.

Our staff at Southport Dental is happy to offer dental services to you and your entire family. Only necessary procedures are recommended. In other words, no one is pressured with “up selling” like many chain dental practices.

When our patients require dental care, we offer a wide range of services to meet the needs of every member of the family. We are always available to answer questions about your dental health and about the services we provide for your treatment.

We are accepting new patients! Give us a call today at 317-494-7366.

About Southport Dental PC

New patients are always welcome. We will not make you wait weeks to get the dental visits you want. Let us know what you want to accomplish at your first visit and we will make it happen! We take the time with our patients to explain their treatment options and inform them of additional preventive care.

Contact us today to learn more.

Southport Dental – Are You Being Taken Advantage of by Your Chain Dentist?

The level of confidence is changing in dentistry because of the emergence of dental chains. In today’s society there are some dentists that are out to cash in on their patients. Dental chains are known for recommending unnecessary procedures to their patients for the sake of increasing their bottom line profits.

Southport Dental only recommends necessary procedures.

The ADA News, the official publication of the American Dental Association published an article by pediatric dentistry Jeffrey Camm describing a disturbing trend he called “creative diagnosis”-the peddling of unnecessary treatments.  Dr. Camm went on to say that there were several instances where dentists recommended a procedure with the thought it’s covered by insurance so it’s not hurting the patients.  At Southport Dental we will only recommend dental procedures that we feel you truly need!

Up-selling in dentistry isn’t anything new it’s just becoming more of a phenomenon since tuition is on the rise and many dentists are taking jobs with chains.  Many of these dental chains have turned dentists into salespeople.  In recent years several chains have been sued over allegations of unnecessary fillings, extractions and root canals that were covered by Medicaid. Several other chains have been sued over similar allegations.

The word to the wise is just be cautious when seeing your dentist or a new dentist that you feel may be recommending excessive procedures.  It doesn’t hurt to seek a second opinion on dental care. Dr. Ryan Mills and his staff are dedicated to providing you and your family the highest quality dental care.

At Southport Dental we are committed to providing a warm, stress free environment in which our patients are treated as family. Only necessary procedures are recommended, in other words, no one is pressured with “up selling.” When considering treatment, patients are clearly presented with pros, cons, and all available options.

We are accepting New Patients! Call us at 317-494-7366 to schedule an appointment.

About Southport Dental PC

New patients are always welcome. We will not make you wait weeks to get the dental visits you want. Let us know what you want to accomplish at your first visit and we will make it happen! We take the time with our patients to explain their treatment options and inform them of additional preventive care.

Contact us today to learn more.

What our patients are saying about us.

My dentist was on vacation and left a message to contact Dr. Mills of Southport Dental in case of an emergency. I had an extremely bad toothache which was making me very sick. I was pleasantly surprised when they said they could see me that very afternoon. I was very impressed with all of the office staff and especially with Dr. Mills. He took quite a bit of time to examine my tooth and explain what he felt the problem was and how he was going to treat it. By that evening I was feeling much better. Even though it is a longer drive for me I am planning to switch to Dr. Mills because I was so impressed by the service overall.

- Anonymous

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