Dental Corporations - The "Well-Oiled Machine"
Have you had trouble with your dental care at a coockie cutter brand-type Dental Setting?

Does it make you want to think twice before you go to another brand named dental office? Do you feel sorry for the ones that have suffered similar circumstances. Well, I think it is time to do something about it and let the voice of patients be heard. No, it is not the dentists necessarily - it is the system that has been created for the dental providers in these companies. As a general dentist, I have always been interested in Corporate Dental Chains and their practices such as Heartland, Aspen, Allcare, Kool Smiles, Dental Dreams, Comfort, Western, Pacific, Midwest, Altima, Dental Works, and many others alike. The concept of profit maximization in a medical setting alone just seemed to violate the hippocratic oath, dental ethics, and state regulations as in general, only a licensed dentist can own a facility - not some corporate interest. My extensive research leads me to believe that if all the laws set in each state were enforced and people understood how our healthcare laws and system are abused and undermined, not ONE of these operations would be open for business today!
In general, Dental Brand and Chain Companies today are designed in pyramid structures with management personal dictating the dental support staff on how to be most productive. It is being done in different models but the overall picture and motive is the same - certainly not superb patient quality care. The road for financial reward ends with the highest executives while the entire environment is setup for maximum profiteering by the doctors and hygienists who generate the revenues. In most of the models, daily quotas from morning huddles when met are reward with bonuses. Believe it Or Not! Yes, the associate dentist does not have much to say even though his or her license is utilized to make this operation legal and bypass state law while unlicensed professionals set the stage in a separate company and dictate day to day policy and reward the ones who play along. In simple terms, consumers have no idea why they are being committed to extensive dental care at times, that many private dentists would consider unnecessary, are surprise and lured by false mass advertisement at times, and their voice is neglected...The answer is simple - in operations that are profit oriented as the highest priority with no soul, patient care can only be second, third, or forth, or not even much of a concern at times as long as the daily quotas are met. It is always wise to ask your dentist if he or she owns the practice, is a partner, is an employee as it will affect your long term relationship, may result in less caring or conservative treatment, and provide an increased chance for over-billing and refund disputes.

If you have a complaint or knowledge about one of these companies unethical or illegal practices, please contact us so we may guide you in the right direction. Please feel free to also contact us in matters pertaining poor practice of dentistry, or any aspect of what you feel was done wrong. We have an extensive background, comprehensive knowledge, and field expertise pertaining to corporate dental practices.

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