All last week I was feeling a bit out of sorts. I was cranky and snippy and taking it out on the wrong people. It wasn’t anything one person did to me, but a combination of two disparate events that took place last Monday. Ironically, both events happened at the same time, right after lunch. Equally ironic, both occurred at professional offices, though I was physically only at one of them. I had an appointment with the dental hygienist at my “new” dentist’s office, and I had a candidate interviewing with a new client, an attorney at a large law practice. I was looking forward to both outcomes. The hygienist would confirm my dental diligence over the past six months and the candidate, I was sure, would be offered the job at the law firm. Possibly on the spot!
Rule Number One – Never count your chickens before they’ve hatched. Neither one came to fruition.
While these two incidents were unrelated to the extreme, they both represented to me the frustration and disappointment I experience when I have expectations. Of course, I had the (correct) expectation to get my teeth cleaned by a hygienist as I have done bi-annually throughout my life, without fail. But something seems to have changed in the world of “Big Box” dentistry (my name for it). Dentistry has become a big business rather than a healing art. Maybe I’m naïve and have been pampered by old-school dentists whose approaches are conservative. Do the work that is necessary. This new business model turns patients into customers where the dentists sell expensive services motivated by greed.
The Art of the Scam
The greedy scam started with the dental assistant taking full-mouth x-rays (read: bill the insurance company for excessive x-rays). When I balked at that, saying I’d had x-rays taken last November, she forthrightly told me that those were panoramic x-rays and not appropriate for the exam doctor was going to perform that day. What exam? I had an appointment with the hygienist to clean my teeth. Well, she said matter-of-factly, “She no longer works here. Doctor will do the cleaning.” And when were you going to tell me this? What dentist spends his valuable time cleaning teeth?
It only got worse from there. After waiting for 20 minutes in a reclining position with a bib on my chest, the doctor finally came in. No apology for being late but he was Johnny-on-the-Spot pointing out I had plaque buildup on my lower front teeth (common to most people, as it’s closest to the salivary glands). With a hand scaling instrument, he swiftly removed the tartar and then pivoted quickly to the real reason for my being there: To close the deal. My x-rays “revealed” decay on both lower back molars with very old crowns that would need to be replaced ($$$$$). Don’t be too concerned about the upper, smaller crown that has a slight chip in it, he said. It’s not life and death. BUT he’d recommend having that taken care of as well. As soon as possible. Wait here and I’ll have my office manager bring you the “Care Plan.” And then he disappeared.
“But what about cleaning my teeth?” I said, seething.
“Doctor just did,” the assistant proudly said. “And I’m going to finish now by polishing your teeth. They’re going to be nice and smooth. You’ll see.”
Upon leaving the office, I made sure the office manager gave me my x-rays and the “Care Plan.” Quickly glancing at it, the total amount for “recommended” work amounted to more than $7,0000. I maintained my cool as I formulated a care plan of my own. Take it to my former dentist for a second opinion.
Mouth to Mouth
Now, while I was being swindled by a dentist—who I am convinced is paid bonuses by the corporation he works for, for his creative sales tactics—my candidate was bombing her interview. Well, it was a combination of her “coarse” demeanor and the managing partner attorney’s uppity attitude. Oil and water for sure. To say she was rough around the edges would be an understatement, but she was sincere, and her work ethic and skills were outstanding. She desperately wanted the job and was qualified in every way. Except for her mouth. (Yes, this blog comes full circle to the mouth.) The woman has a fiery side that often leads to a potty mouth. She promised to be on her best behavior, and she was up to a certain point. Until the attorney started poking holes in her resume.
Why did she job hop so much? She needed the work, she told him, so she took contract positions until a direct-hire role came around. Like the one at the law firm for which she was now interviewing! Turned out they were willing to offer her a temp-to-perm role, but she passed. Her expectations were dashed.
Due Diligence
In hindsight, I should have done a better job vetting both the dentist and the candidate. I didn’t and they both came back to bite me. I’ve always preached that it is essential to have a good dentist and stick with him or her, even if you must pay out of pocket and/or be put on a payment plan. My health and teeth are worth it. Unfortunately, I didn’t heed my own advice blaming it on the fact my former dentist didn’t accept my current dental insurance. I will be fixing that this year. For sure.
As for my candidate, I no longer have a relationship with her, but I wish her well. I hope she finds her dream job and heeds my suggestion to tone down her defensiveness and potty mouth. You can attract more flies with honey than with vinegar. Come to think of it, it’s not all in vain. She may be an inspiration for a character in an upcoming novel.