How To Poorly Manage a Dental Office: Refer.

Office November 21st, 2008

Action: When referring a patient to a specialist, and the specialist’s office says that they are booking 2 months down the road, get on the phone personally and demand to know how many hours per week the specialist works. Something like this is particularly effective: “Two months!? How many days a week do you work? One??”

This scores your office lots of fuck you points and pretty much guarantees that if you try to refer other patients in the future they’ll probably have to wait even longer. Why not teach the specialist “a lesson” by not referring any further patients to them.


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  • http://www.amid.com/werd Rudy

    My dentist referred me to an Orthodontist who scheduled one 2 months in advance. I didn’t bother with the appointment. Maybe I should tell the receptionist the FU comment that you suggested.

    Recently from Rudy: What Did Happen 40 Years Ago?)

  • http://www.endodontics.ca Periapex

    You can try. People that try that stuff on us get nowhere fast.

    As with anything it’s supply/demand. If you have to choose between two people doing the same thing in the same locale and fees are about the same and one is way busier than the other, you’ve got to wonder what the reason is.

    Case in point: A physician that was a patient of mine told us there are 2 neurologists in Workland. One is booking 6 months down the road, the other is booking 1 month. He prefers to send to the one who is booking 6 months.

    You’re getting braces?

  • http://fragileheart.com/journal/ fragileheart

    I think I’ve said this before but: Me no like dentists. And I don’t usually care very much for their staff. Then again, I don’t much care for any medical staff I have ever encoutered.

  • http://www.endodontics.ca Periapex

    You’ve never dealt with my staff. They’re really nice. Nicer than me even. As long as you catch them when they are awake.

    For someone who doesn’t like dentists you frequent my blog quite a bit…Not that I’m complaining.

  • Retro Girl

    Fragileheart hasn’t dealt with me, at the office where I work…I’m very kind and compassionate (I know people are nervous, and anxious when they come to the dentist…they need someone to ease their fears, make them chuckle, and feel welcome…not someone with a nasty attitude…{like my evil coworker}). Hope you can find providers who have really good staff and have a positive experience…

    All of our referral specialists stay very booked…as do We at the General Dentist…We do have good relationships with two of the best of each ortho, endo and oral surgeons in our area…that way patients have options…(just sayin, Peri…). If it’s an urgent/special case…sometimes our Doc makes a (very nice) call, and if the specialist can work them in, they will. If not…he does what he can for them until they can be seen…

    The only F.U. points at our office go to my coworker…Doc shoulda got rid of her long ago…

  • http://www.endodontics.ca Periapex

    Aren’t you too busy using Twitter on your phone to handle patients?

    I encourage my referring offices to have a backup as well. Every specialist handles certain types of patients and cases differently and sometimes more compatibly with your office. Choosing who to refer to based on these criteria is to refer wisely.

  • http://www.pinaymomblogs.com desperateblogger

    here in the Philippines, it is not usual to book appointments to gen dent. you just go and have your name listed in the appointment book. now if your name is listed as #12 and the dentist is only with #2, you can basically leave and traipse around then go back for your appointment that same day.

    my daughter is a pedodontist and she thrives on booked appointments.

  • http://www.endodontics.ca Periapex

    That sounds like our walk-in medical clinics here. For extractions, minor denture adjustments, or small fillings, I can see walk-in clinics working out ok. For longer, more involved, procedures that can be a problem.

  • http://www.amid.com/werd Rudy

    You’re getting braces?

    No, my dentist told me I may need a bridge for my molars. The x-ray revealed that they may slide off after a while.

    I think it is cheaper to get dentures.

  • http://www.endodontics.ca Periapex

    Your molars might slide off?

    Once you stop with the Dr. Pepper you should be fine.

  • http://www.pinaymomblogs.com desperateblogger

    do molars slide off? and what does “sliding off” means anyway?

    Recently from desperateblogger: Steel Constructions)

  • http://www.endodontics.ca Periapex

    That’s what I’m wondering myself…I’ve never seen a molar slide off.

  • http://www.capralife.com Kristi

    Haha, that’s a funny story. I’ll note that when I start my own practice.

  • http://www.endodontics.ca Periapex

    Thanks for stopping by Kristi. Hope your Chemistry exam went decently…

  • http://www.scientificdentalclinic.com Dental Implants India

    Even here in India getting an appointment is not that hard, just have a walkin and get your name listed but for other detailed checkups getting an appointment saves up a lot of time.

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