Barry Polansky
United States
- 23 comments
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Thanks for your insight Richard. I do believe that dentists are introverted and don't enjoy public speaking...I thought the Seinfeld joke was appropriate. Good links.
Barry
@DrCarolyn Yes Carolyn, I have a lot of hats in my office. As I have gotten older i am on the lookout for new hats... Thanks, Barry
@ddsand You are right...just make contact and avoid the strikeouts.
Just a thought about #9. Babe Ruth and Sammy Sosa were two of baseball's greatest home run hitters. During their record setting years they also set strike out records. My advice to dentists would be to stop swinging for the fences and go for clean singles.
@ddsand Agreed...and that's the problem.
The essence of leadership is exactly that. As Gandhi said: "Become the change you seek in the world." As to #9--yes. committing to the process is what changed my practice. Before that I was looking for the big one. It's funny how that is still being taught in mainstream CE courses. Thanks for chiming in...your views are on point and appreciated.
Hi Laura, as the say, "All saints were sinners." I am very suspicious of those who have made it to the top without any serious adversity. Change is one of the toughest things we need to do in order to grow. As a blogger you can see how difficult it is to fight what Steve Pressfield calls Resistance-- the big R.
Thanks Bill...we all face these issues...I once read a book...Change or Die.
@hiba_makarem Thank you so much...both of these posts truly acknowledge very big problems in our profession. You use the right word...attitude. But it's really more than that... Practicing dentistry is difficult no matter what part of the world. I hear the same thing from dentists all over the world. The problem is that so much of dentistry is thought of as a technical science when so much is more about soft skills...human behavior. Most dentists are ill equipped to handle the chore. Intra and interpersonal skills are sorely needed...and they are not taught in dental schools. Dental educators don't know the skills and the ones who teach it...teach poor manipulative techniques to sell more and more dentistry. This I breeds mediocrity , fear and distrust in the public. I didn't agree with the other post but I certainly felt for the dentist...she is not alone...she was being honest. That is too bad because dentistry can be quite rewarding if the dentist can gain control and create his own culture. Thank You
Laura...It's been over 25 years since I committed to relationship based dentistry. I could not have survived in dentistry with any other philosophy. I would be lying if I said that it was easy to apply...but the fight was worth it. I used to say that when I retired I would take an ad out in the local paper...blaming all those people who drove me out...then I would say I would take an ad out out, thanking those people who made me stay. I am glad I stayed...and glad some people moved on.
Hi Tasha...the title of this blog is TAO of dentistry. That is a play on words...TAO in eastern philosophy means "the way, or path.". I use the letters to signify T for TRUST. A for APPRECIATION and O for OWNERSHIP. Sounds like you and your dentist have that kind of relationship...that's important.
Well said??? Newmarket
Hey--GreyP I checked you out--you are a dentist---but that's all I know. Try not to se blogs to promote your business...that's not the way things are done in the blogosphere.
@Kids Dentist
Thanks for weighing in...patience, expertise and attitude are quite admirable traits. I like to say care, skill and judgement.b
Sarah33 Hi Sarah...your comment is dead on..I only wish the public knew this. It's clearly spelled out as you say, but most people are unaware. As you say "insurance companies aren't stupid,"no they are very smart...they're in business to make money. Dentists, on the other hand, those trying to do their best, continue to operate in a confusing system that makes choices difficult for patients and dentists alike. We become creatures of a system ( this is not a good one...it doesn't work for the good of all), and it leads to much questionable behavior on the part of dentists, and patients...while the insurance companies never lose because they create the rules.
Thank you so much for taking the time to write a really great comment.
Barry
Thank you so much Mary Beth...I struggled with myself about writing this, but I see so much ethical breakdown in dentistry, and yes the majority of dentists are really trying to do their best. They take CE, they struggle with getting it right, and then they see how unethical dentists, third parties and adverticsers give no regard to the patient's health. Of course the Readers Digest was guilty because their motive was to sell magazines...the last thing I want is to sound cynical...dentuistry is a great profession and there should be tighter controls as to how it is practiced (like medicine?)
Thank You Amyrdh...hopefully most of the dental community can get the message. If not we are in for some very difficult times. Thankfully I know many dentists who "get it."
Thanks Laura...glad to see the comments working properly now. People issues are always the toughest part of work...much tougher than the "work."
Thanks Josh ...working on my new book...Art of Case Presentation.
Joe...the underlying message is what LD Pankey said over fifty years ago: Pearls before swine...or you can't make a silk purse from a sow's ear. Either way we can't change the world...the best strategy is to fill your practice with patients who appreciate quality...of course you know that from showing dogs.