A growing number of patients

[budgenator]

Seems that the way its done around here the GP stands to the side or is a glorified assistant and makes between 5k and 8k for basically knowing the patient first. The surgeon is fronting the bar so the tech can't make any profit there. Basically what the labs gets here is about 6 to 7 hundred an arch for the denture and 800 bucks for killing a days production being out of the lab.

UCR for D5110 Complete Denture - maxillary $2125.00,
D6053 Implant/Abutement Supported Removeable Denture for Completely Edentulous Arch $3561.00 @ 80th percentile in zip code 480, Then the insurance bases reimbursement on a percentage of the UCR, but if it a covered benefit the Dentist is usually can't collect the difference from the patient. So for the GP the extra work isn't worth the reimbursement either.

On the Fixed side, our fixed lab is actually charging us more for a custom Implant Abutment than we are getting reimbursed for! Somebody must be making money, but it's not the Labs or the GPs.

 

[highscore]

You think the middle class will always not be able to afford this? In 10-20 years? Id hope we would have a strong middle class although it appears by the looks of things there will only be a rich and poor.

I have my doubts. I see it every day. For parents with kids who need dental care. Adult Dental care is returning to the bottom of the priority list just like it did in the post war era. Parents will always put their kid's needs first before their own. And with the middle class becoming thin, and employee dental benefits shrinking or going off shore, you can bet that there will always be a need for prosthetic restoration.

 

[highscore]

Yes, but with implants. All-on-four, teeth in an hour, whatever you want to call it....

Perfect reflection of what the consumer of today wants.

Remember when you dropped off film and got it back in a week? Then a day? Then an hour? Now instantly on your phone?

Faxes? Too slow. Go pick out a movie? No way, order from Netflix. Now Netflix is too slow, so it's available on demand, on line.

Instant gratification. Ugly teeth this morning, new smile tonight.

phone calls from patient on tuesday

phone calls from patient wednesday

phone calls from patient on thursday

phone call from denturist across the street on Friday

phone call from patient on monday demanding money back so she can have denturist across the street who says "he is better than everyone in town"

Letter from Association and College regarding a patient complaint on tuesday

big scene in your office between patient and denturist on wednesday

court summons on thursday

out of court settlement on friday

refund cheque written and cashed in person by patient on monday

no money for staff on payday

 

[rkm rdt]

phone calls from patient on tuesday

phone calls from patient wednesday

phone calls from patient on thursday

phone call from denturist across the street on Friday

phone call from patient on monday demanding money back so she can have denturist across the street who says "he is better than everyone in town"

Letter from Association and College regarding a patient complaint on tuesday

big scene in your office between patient and denturist on wednesday

court summons on thursday

out of court settlement on friday

refund cheque written and cashed in person by patient on monday

no money for staff on payday

You should be more concerned about a phone call from Mark Jackson or Tom Moore.

 

[highscore]

You think the middle class will always not be able to afford this? In 10-20 years? Id hope we would have a strong middle class although it appears by the looks of things there will only be a rich and poor.

I won't get into economics, cuz' you know... Trump and stuff

 

[CoolHandLuke]

I won't get into economics, cuz' you know... Trump and stuff

 

[CoolHandLuke]

phone calls from patient on tuesday

phone calls from patient wednesday

phone calls from patient on thursday

phone call from denturist across the street on Friday

phone call from patient on monday demanding money back so she can have denturist across the street who says "he is better than everyone in town"

Letter from Association and College regarding a patient complaint on tuesday

big scene in your office between patient and denturist on wednesday

court summons on thursday

out of court settlement on friday

refund cheque written and cashed in person by patient on monday

no money for staff on payday

i dare say... this is almost Kafka-esque if you get what i'm laying down.