Finding the right dentist is an important part of your healthcare. With the rise in corporate dental clinics, you may be wondering if that is better or worse than a private practice. We’d like to help you understand the differences. The main difference is accountability. With a private practice, the dentist is accountable to their patients and themselves. With corporate practices, you have to add in the additional accountability to investors.
Private Practices Are Patient Oriented
With some corporate dental practices, there is understandably going to be pressure from the investors to maximize profit. That is the very purpose of that practice model. Whether that is done to the detriment of ethics is going to depend on the owners and the dentists involved. Unfortunately, in some cases, some of these practices have been criticized for doing unnecessary procedures on patients to increase their profits. It was a situation where a location of a corporate practice wasn’t meeting profit quotas, and the dentists decided to try to remedy the situation in that way. These dentists were so pressured from the stockholders to bring in more money that they found themselves placing dental crowns on healthy teeth.
The North American Dental Group, which is in partnership with Refresh Dental, has racked up a large number of patient complaints on this very issue.
At our office, Dr. Gecovich made the decision her dental care would be more about the patients than the profit. Having her own practice means she can provide conservative care, making sure she saves as much of your tooth structure as possible, without having to worry about being accountable to a third party.
Private Practices are Relationship Oriented
For Dr. Gecovich, some of her greatest enjoyment comes from the long-term relationships she has with her patients and staff. The office feels almost like family. We enjoy seeing you come back over the years and are dedicated to your long-term dental health. When we are treating you, we give you all the time you need to feel comfortable as well as want you to understand the recommended procedures along with all your options. We never want you to feel like you’re being treated on a conveyor belt.
There is a different dynamic in corporate dental offices. This type of practice is particularly appealing to new dentists just out of school. It’s a way they can get some experience and get some quick cash to start paying off their school loans. They work in the corporate office for a couple of years and then feel ready to get into a private practice situation, which they will find more enjoyable.
For Dr. Gecovich, a huge advantage to private practice is getting to choose the staff she wants to work with. Our team is top-notch and works together seamlessly. Coming to work is a joy. This has led to long-term relationships. For instance, Dr. Gecovich and Kathy, our patient-care coordinator, have worked together for over twenty years and plan for many more.
If you have questions about dental care or our practice feel free to call our office.